I am in the process of designing custom video dolly. I want to add a pan/tilt head to the dolly that can be controlled by a joystick for unpredictable shots and/or be programmable for slow shots like time lapses.
I am planing on making this custom, and I am not sure if it is better to use servos or gear motors to control the moving parts of the pan/tilt system?
Any thoughts on the pros/cons of two options?
Thanks for any help.
Regards,
Brian Grabski
designedandmade.com
Thank you for the help.
If I want to be able to program the pan/tilt to move in a pre determined direction over the course of several hours for shooting time lapses, do I need to use digital servos in the power gearbox pan & tilt mechanism?
Is this the correct servo controller that will make it possible to control both a gear motor/speed control (that will propel the dolly down the tracks) and as well as the pan and tilt servos?
robotshop.com/phidgets-8-servo-controller.html
Can a Ultrasonic Range Finder be used in conjunction with the servo controller to kill power to the gear motor that is propelling the dolly as it approaches the end of the track?
This is the inspiration for what it is that I am trying to build, if it helps. It is more similar than different that what I am going to be building: vimeo.com/9179128
Thanks,
Brian Grabski
designedandmade.com
Thanks again. It sounds like I need the “all in one” DFRobot ROMEO microcontroller. I really appreciate all the help and I am very excited to get these parts ordered. I think this might be my last round of questions…
You mentioned that in addition to being programmable, the “all in one” microcontroller can also have sensors added to it.
For a video dolly like this that rides 4’ up from the ground on leveled pipe tracks, can a sensor be added to the microcontroller that shuts the power off as the dolly approaches the end of the tracks? What is your recommendation?
(robotshop.com/srf02-ultrasonic-range-finder-1.html) or
(robotshop.com/vex-bumper-switch.html)
In addition to being programmable, is it possible for the operator to control the speed of the dolly, and the pan/tilt remotely? Possibly by connecting a laptop computer to the microcomputer with a USB cable, and using the computer as the controller?
If it is not possible to control the dolly with a labtop, can a controller be made using parts like this?
(robotshop.com/inex-vertical-potentiometer.html) and
(robotshop.com/phidgets-mini-joystick-sensor.html)
Thanks again,
Brian Grabski
designedandmade.com
Thanks Richard,
I believe that taking this project to the next step means making the controls wireless; to be able to control the mechanical functions of the video dolly and also be able to view what the camera is recording on the laptop control screen.
I am guessing that WiFi is the best route to take in order to accomplish this. Is the part I need for this an Ethernet DC Motor Controller?
(robotshop.ca/barracuda-50a-single-ethernet-controller.html)
Is the Ethernet DC Motor Controller essentially a speed control with WiFi capabilities, or does it need to be used in conjunction with a separate speed control?
Also, do I need an Audio / Video Transmitter to view what is being recorded on the camera, making it viewable on the laptop control screen, or can this all be done with using a single WiFi component?
(robotshop.ca/active-robots-633-rf-audio-video-transmi.html)
Thank you,
Brian Grabski
designedandmade.com
Hi Brian,
This really depends on the weight of the object to manipulate and the environment you will be working in.
Generally speaking, hobby grade servo motors are suggested since the feedback loop is integrated. This makes them super easy to control and also very precise due to strict manufacturing standards. Also, many off-the-shelf pan & tilt kits can be sourced easily (such as the ServoCity or Lynxmotion pan & tilts we sell). Those quarter scale servos are powerful and can be even stronger when used in a power gearbox pan & tilt mechanism.
There are other aspects to consider: Maintenance, client requirements (you probably will not see the military relying on hobby grade servos, for example), etc.
Hi Brian,
If the camera you plan to support is quite heavy (up to 30 pounds) consider the ServoCity GDP985A-BM with the GDT985. For control, you would need a standard servo controller. If you want a ready to use system with joystick control, consider the PT-2100. To be accurate, a standard gear motor will require an encoder which complexifies your setup.
Hope this helps,
You do not need to use digital servo - you only need a computer or a microcontroller to send signals to the motor controller(s).
A servo motor controller in the context of a hobby project (as opposed to industrial) would need a servo motor controller like the one you listed. In order to also control a DC gear motor you can get a DC motor controller with R/C input. Alternatively, you can get an “all in one” like the DFRobot ROMEO microcontroller which can control two small DC motors as well as servo motors and includes a microcontroller.
You will need a microcontroller if you want to use most of the sensors we currently offer.
Thanks,
Brian Grabski
www.designedandmade.com
Hi Brian,
Your main issue will be the video transmission. Do you want to transmit the video directly from the camera to a monitor or use a secondary camera? If you want to transmit the video feed, you just need a video transmitter/receiver. For control, an ethernet or WiFi motor controller includes a small microcontroller, motor controller and WiFi card. You can “convert” a standard motor controller into a WiFi motor controller by adding a microcontroller and WiFi card. You may also want to consider bluetooth control if the distance is not too great. We don’t know of any video cameras (aside from webcams) with WiFi output, though that does sound like a very good idea you might want to propose to a large company like Panasonic (for viewing the video remotely on a computer).
Note that there is a WiFi shield available which can be easily added to the ROMEO microcontroller.
Hope this helps,
