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How to ... install a camera in a UAV body?

Posted by Jens Oldeland on February 19, 2014 at 5:56am

Hi,

I am worried. I bought a Bormatec Maja airplane in which I´d like to install a camera (canon ixus? panasomic lumix?) for mapping purposes. Hence the camera should be installed into the "floor" of the plane. However, I am too worried cutting a hole into my new plane only to realize that I messed it up!

Is anybody aware of a tutorial video or does anyone has some tips how to start and/or what to consider before/after installation?

Any help is very much appreciated!

Jens

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Replies

  • Jurian October 2, 2018 at 2:07am

    Hi Keith,

    Could you upload or send the CAD files of the maja drone itself?

    Regards,

    Jurian

    Keith Geary said:

    Hi Michael,

    I really liked the Maja, but wanted something that could carry a larger camera, so I got a wide bodied one, although it took me a long time to get it flying, so I bought a SkyWalker2013 last summer and it has done most of the work.

    Here are some images that may help you, see the ones above that were posted last year, but be aware that the ones with the SONY NEX7 are of the Wide Bodied Maja;

    3702364267?profile=original3702364341?profile=originalThe CAD files are below;

    How to ... install a camera in a UAV body?
    Hi, I am worried. I bought a Bormatec Maja airplane in which I´d like to install a camera (canon ixus? panasomic lumix?) for mapping purposes. Hence…
  • German_ti March 30, 2017 at 1:39pm



    Keith Geary said:

    Hi Michael,

    I really liked the Maja, but wanted something that could carry a larger camera, so I got a wide bodied one, although it took me a long time to get it flying, so I bought a SkyWalker2013 last summer and it has done most of the work.

    Here are some images that may help you, see the ones above that were posted last year, but be aware that the ones with the SONY NEX7 are of the Wide Bodied Maja;

    3702364267?profile=original3702364341?profile=originalThe CAD files are below;

    Hi, can you load all model of plane? I want to measure stress with solidworks.

    Thanks!

  • Stanley Anak Suab July 6, 2015 at 8:19pm

    Halo Jens, 

    Just my 20 cents advice :-D Put everythig (batteries, camera, all the electronics) in the plane, get your CoG right then you can cut the hole for the camera. Make a simple sponge mounting for your camera make sure the zoom lense doesn't poking out of the fuselage belly.   

    Cheers.

  • Keith Geary February 21, 2014 at 11:12am
    Hi Jens,

    1. Place the batteries in the front, mount the motor and prop on the back, elevator and rudder. Then place the camera inside and see where the Centre Of Gravity is.

    Your Maja should have a few screw holes for the wings, so you can adjust the wing to the C of G, then once you've mounted everything properly, you can move the batteries a little, or use lead car wheel balance weights, embeded in the nose. Better to be nose heavy than tail heavy!

    2. You can trigger a Sony NEX camera by using a IR trigger, which connects to a servo channel, I'm still playing with the settings on my IR trigger, so right now CHDK will work best under the Ardupilot. You can buy an IR trigger from Gentles in Edinburgh, Scotland, they call it ShutterPLUS.

    Where will you be flying? I am based in Nottingham, England, but fly all over the UK.

    Best of luck,

    Keith,
    • Jens Oldeland > Keith Geary February 22, 2014 at 1:46pm

      Hi Keith,

      thanks again for your ideas! I will do my best! Yet, until April I will be in Africa from tomorrow on. Definitely I will be flying in southern Morocco, Ethiopia and Namibia. That are the places were my scientific projects are (I am an ecologist).

      Besides that, I will be flying (if ever) mainly in northern Germany. I am living in Hamburg, not far from the UK. If you ever pass by, say hello! :)

      best!

      Jens

  • Keith Geary February 20, 2014 at 11:52am

    Hi Jens,

    I assume you have the standard Maja body?

    I had a great guy in the UK design and make one for me to carry two Canon s90's, one converted to IR.

    3701666183?profile=original3701666036?profile=original

    3701666300?profile=originalWe put the autopilot (Gluonpilot 1) in the top half with the RC receiver;

    3701666357?profile=originalWe then replaced the IR camera with a Tetracam ADC Micro, we had to butcher the plywood and 3D printed a base, which was secured to the bottom of the Maja's Corex sheet;

    3701666314?profile=originalYou can buy a tray online from a German firm and adapt it;

    3701666368?profile=originalAssembly Services Online in Germany sell this tray and a nice mount...

    We have just built a Wide Bodied Maja to take a Sony NEX7 and Tetracam MCA 5 with ILS;

    3701666424?profile=originalThe camera lifts out and the Autopilot stays flat inside, as we had issues with it sitting upside down whilst powered up.

    We also find this design allot stronger, having one piece in the bottom, rather than two pieces!

    3701666336?profile=original

    Best of luck !

    • Michael Papenhagen > Keith Geary June 23, 2015 at 10:13am

      Hi Keith

      I know this is old, but is it please possible to forward me more detailed CAD drawings for the above Gimbal?

      Regards

      Michael

      • Keith Geary > Michael Papenhagen June 23, 2015 at 1:24pm

        Hi Michael,

        The camera is not mounted in a gimbal, just a plywood form lined with foam.

        • Michael Papenhagen > Keith Geary June 23, 2015 at 8:45pm

          Hi Keith Thanks

          • Michael Papenhagen > Michael Papenhagen June 24, 2015 at 12:46pm

            Hi Keith Maybe I used the wrong Wording. The guys at Bormatec forwarded me a link to a Camera Gimbal, which I would like to fit in a frame something the one you have

This reply was deleted.

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