I think that we need to restart the blog on this.
This guy built a 40 mm ball turret that would work great in small UAS's. He said that he would not sell it but i think having him post details of how he built would be nice.
Here is a video of tit working.
If anyone has other turret systems to share of Pan and tilt systems please post... I am looking for a good design to integrate into my UAS...
Comments
I have full access to a laser cutter and can contribute to this effort.
http://youtu.be/tA2xwbT5_QE
How would i set up software limits in ardupilot for the pan and tilt servos if they are continuos rotation servos.
Thanks for all the help.
Here is my final set up for now... I went to servo city.com and for under a hundred dollars I have a simple system. When completed i will have 180 deg pan in both directions and 180 deg. in tilt if needed.
Thanks Andrew!
Here you go Ellison! Have a go at printing this.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:19519
I feel sorry for folks like us having to bow before large companies with ridiculous patents. But I am a law-biding citizen (for the most part) and do see the reasoning behind patents. I've had similar patent-infringing epiphanies on quite a lower scale. For instance: While going through the drive-thru at a local fast food place, I used to hate the bags of fries they gave you since they would normally spill all over my car. So I would always ask for a small, empty cup to transfer my fries to upon receipt of them. I then would cut a small U-shaped lip for easy access. I did this, so my rods of golden deliciousness would sit undisturbed in a spare cup holder. after about a month of doing this, I thought to myself, I should really look into to patenting this! Two days later, that same local drive-thru had the same exact design of my Cup-O-Fry holder! This was a bit scary for me and I went through a small paranoia-phase thinking that the patent-police was brain scanning or spying. I soon realized this was ridiculous and blamed it on 'Murphy'. But I digress...
I have been coming up with some similar designs through Autodesk Inventor, in my head, and on Food Court napkins. I am a strong supporter of 'Open-Source' and would very much contribute any of my ideas to the greater good of the Community!
Hey Jiri, I'm going to make a 3D printed version of the turret. Can you give some of the specs?
A big one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPVI4tsim-o&feature=plcp&con...
I do not know how that was done without the DIY representatives’ knowledge – but it could happen again - the thread could get deleted……
Who do you think pays the hacker?
I loaded all the pictures of the turret to this web address.
http://airview.rajce.idnes.cz/DIYcameraturret
They are not in order there. Get inspired.
I am so amased. I love the fact my design is attracting attention.
But before I post anything, do you really want to me to be here?
My first blog about the retractable camera turret got deleted by god knows whoom.
The DIY Drones manager said it was weird. He was threatened by the BTC (patent holder) to delete it. He refused as he did not see any patent infringement (I stated clearly I would not sell the kit.)
And for those who think I copied it I say NO I DID NOT. You may believe it or not I do not really care. Just realize – it was not only me but a whole community working on the original thread at RC groups. Read it, and see.
When they sent the patent web address to me I was astonished how similar my design was.
Well the construction is different, but the principle is the same.
I have talked to a patent layer and was advised to forget about making a kit so similar to a patented design. I can still sell the parts like the sprockets, chain, and sphere. These things would not jeopardize the patent but greatly help while building your own turret. It is not difficult. I keep my fingers crossed for you. I am willing to make my CAD design available for free. I must find out if this is not a bad idea though.
One of my first retractable designs used doors as well. The You-tube video showing our autopilot abilities (now very obsolete, but made by us), was made loooong time after I have pictured it in a local RC magazine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snwp6onsyIg
The mentioned autopilot performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6w5ow89Go
I have made so many turrets. No wonder I came up with something that someone else had developed before. That happens and I am not the only one.
Finally I could have made some money on it.
Basically I am turning down quite a lot of people. But not as many to make a fortune - for which one could be willing to risk a court with a big company.
Therefore I just gave up. I think the patent is valid locally in the US only. Before any production can be started, a thorough research should be conducted to find out if somebody has not had a similar idea that got patented. This research is done by special companies that will cost you a lot of money.
This is how the kit could have looked:
http://airview.rajce.idnes.cz/DIYcameraturret#iDSC07201.jpg
Turrets I made myself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrUPf-v5JL4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys0BMy3yuTE
This go-pro mount I made is a funny one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8blCWjZMTU&list=UU_XnhyGCfBQ_Dj...
Another version of it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VGDQNSgzOc&feature=autoplay&...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdL2-kfiiqc&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZ6DJtG84w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3O8tyYdbMk
A big one:
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