I now have an RCTimer OpenSource BGC board ("Martinez") and a couple of LD-Power Gimbal Motors which are large enough for an NEX or smaller. I looked over a number of BGC frames for sale but they all seem to incorporate metal or glass fibre, both of which do not have the same strength and low weight of carbon fibre. Based on the connection system I had used on the first CF gimbal I built from scratch (servo based), I have come up with this design with the size needed for a Sony NEX and the adjust-ability to balance for any camera of that size or smaller to maintain roll balance. Also, the base plate the camera sits on is deep enough to move the camera back to balance the weight on the pitch axis due to the size of the NEX lenses.
Once I have hand crafted this design I'll post some video. From there, if there is enough interest I may get a batch of these laser cut and put them up for sale. Roughly $30 of 2mm CF board for this and whatever the rate is for laser cutting.
This specific design is for the LD-Power GM4008-57 motors which are 45mm in diameter, 21mm in depth and 85g each. Still need to work out how many poles these motors have to be able to set up the firmware correctly. If anyone knows please let me know? I was planning on using the smaller LD-Power 2208 gimbal motor which was 39g or so but the eBay seller had the wrong picture and weight in the listing.
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@Rob, thanks for your sharing. I am a mechanical engineer,and I am interested in any topic of mechanical material.
Here I search a detail DATA for your reference. We can find out that CF is weaker than Al alloy @ +/-45 Deg. to loading direction. Below is the web linkage address.
http://www.performance-composites.com/carbonfibre/mechanicalpropert...
All products are designed and cut in the grouse house on my CNC router.
Currently working on this belt drive upgrade for the three axis mount -
Seven Months Later....
Available Gimbals
NEXt-Gimbal V2
EZ-Gimbal V2
EZ-Gimbal With A Twist V2
Available Mounts
Deluxe 3 Axis with Tripod Legs
Lightweight 2 Axis Mount
(Shown with 3 axis option and 59/12mm dual rail damper interface)
Available Interfaces
59/12 or 10mm dual rail grommet interface plate
59/12 or 10mm dual rail grommet and damper interface
155/12mm dual rail grommet interface plate
155/12mm dual rail grommet and damper interface
F550 damper interface
(same parts as 59mm grommet and damper interface apart from the 20mm standoffs)
The Chinese wholesale market provide the CNC cutting and materials. Surprised by the quality of the CF compared to samples I have purchased from local suppliers. Some even sent composite carbon/glass fiber even though it was listed a carbon fiber.
Really had to shop around to find the best deal without a compromise in material quality and weight.
Ordering an initial run of 50 copies is slow going at this point as I am at the mercy of waiting for the bank to release the funds to get the ball rolling. So frustrating!
nice work ...
where are you sourcing CF sheets from ??
GB
Hi Francis,
it's not so much a problem with the short internal shaft on the 45mm diameter wide by 20mm deep 4008 motors. Since the pitch motor is only taking roughly half the weight (other side is on a bearing as well) it's fine where it is and removes the need to have a way to clamp to a protruding shaft, adding more weight. The 4008 motors seem to come with or without the extended shaft. If you look closely at the roll motor in one of my rear facing pictures it uses two small bearings mounted on 5mm thick CF rods to support the underside of the bell on the motor, taking the strain off it's shaft and rear bearing. In the case of a DSLR weight I would opt to have a roll motor with a shaft that extends out the front of the rear roll assembly plate and have a supported bearing taking the load. This does however limit the roll travel to roughly +-80 deg but who in their right mind would be flying their X6/8 like that with a DSLR hanging off it?? Also, I think retractable skids on the X6/8 and a third yaw motor would best suit DSLR filming.
If you think there is a good market for a simple and lightweight brushless gimbal designed for the 500g-1.5kg camera weights let me know and I'd be happy to get onto it. Some 2.5 and 3mm CF plate would be in order for that.
I've almost got to the point of submitting my smaller GoPro design to be CNC cut so I will have time work on that.
Nice work!!
Have you tried turning the motor around and placing it on the back side (outside), on both axes.
This way the distance between the gimbal and holder is minimal and you have far less lever force on the shaft.
This also takes the weight off the motor onto a bearing.
I'd love if this gimbal can carry cameras up to 700g.
Rock on!
Started testing various weights right up to 500g and it seems that there would be some flex in the rear roll motor shaft. All that is holding the weight is the motor shaft and a single bearing at the back of the motor. Below is my proposed fix to ease the weight on the motor shaft. Two bearing held with 5mm round pultrated CF rods. Will also consider making the back plate that attaches to the front of the roll motor 2.5mm thick CF as a small amount of flex is seen on that piece when testing max weights.
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