Mini pan-tilt weight limit

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michaelmeissner
 
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Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by michaelmeissner »

I expect to get my Mini pan-tilt tomorrow (https://www.adafruit.com/products/1967). Do you have a rough estimate of the amount of weight that is safe to use before stressing out the motors? I would assume something the weight of a cell phone would be ok. How about a consumer camcorder (mine is about 1/2 pound)? Going up higher, my micro 4/3rds E-M5 + 12-50mm lens is about 1 1/4 lb might be pushing it. I assume my 3 lb. E-5 + 14-54mm lens is way too heavy for the micro servos., but hey, if the servos can handle it great.

I assume if I run it off of a 5v processor instead of 3.3v that the servos torque would be higher, and it likely can move a larger weight. Is this correct?

So, the bottom line is what is the maximum weight Adafruit recommends?

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

it can easily handle something on the scale of a Pixy CMU-Cam https://www.adafruit.com/product/1906
It can probably handle most cell-phones - albeit with slower response.
A small camcorder? maybe if you are careful with the balance.
A DSLR? - even an MFT is probably over the limit.

You definitely want to power the servos with 5v - even if your processor is only 3.3v.

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rodcar125
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by rodcar125 »

Hi everyone!

I would love to use this with my goPro and arduino but i was wondering if it would be capable of moving around with the goPro attached, since its for time lapses i don't mind the rig moving slow and think this might help getting better shots since it wont wiggle that much,
The goPro setup ready to be mounted on the mini pan-tilt is 165 gr (5.82 oz). So, do you think it might work or it'll be too much weight?

Thanks!

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

That sounds like a lot for this little pan/tilt. Since the camera is cantilevered out from the face of the tilt bracket, it would be under maximum strain with the camera pointing straight ahead.

If you are OK with slow operation, you could try adding a counterweight behind the camera to balance the tilt bracket.

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Franklin97355
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by Franklin97355 »

There are also these https://www.servocity.com/html/servoblocks.html and these https://www.servocity.com/html/gopro_mo ... CRdHfk7uG4 that might allow you to build what you need. More robust but also more expensive.

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BluesBrian
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by BluesBrian »

michaelmeissner wrote:... Mini pan-tilt ... (https://www.adafruit.com/products/1967). Do you have a rough estimate of the amount of weight that is safe to use before stressing out the motors? ...... So, the bottom line is what is the maximum weight Adafruit recommends?
This question kinda wasn't answered. A ballpark number would be helpful. I want to put on a pair of small solar panes (https://www.adafruit.com/product/200) .. These are 3 ounces each. .. plus a small direction sensor (for sun tracking) that's around 2 ounces. add in a couple of braces and screws should put be at around 10 ounces total. Given a rated/suggestion on a limit for this would be very helpful.

Thanks!

// Brian

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

There is no simple 'bottom line' answer because a lot depends on how the mass is distributed and how you plan to move it. 8-10 oz is probably about the max load for the servo bearings to support - assuming that the center of mass is kept pretty close to the center of the tilt platform. Mass distribution is also an issue since mass further from the pivots requires more torque to move.

The panel system you describe is probably pushing the limits for the stock servos. Replacing those with some heavy-duty ball-bearing servos would help. But the overall rigidity will still be limited by the plastic frame. I think you would be better off with one of the aluminum-framed units from RobotShop or LynxMotion.

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BluesBrian
 
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Re: Mini pan-tilt weight limit

Post by BluesBrian »

adafruit_support_bill wrote:... 8-10 oz is probably about the max load for the servo bearings to support - assuming that the center of mass is kept pretty close to the center of the tilt platform. Mass distribution is also an issue since mass further from the pivots requires more torque to move ....
Thanks, That helps! I intend to use this just as a small scale prototype to work out the bugs in the software, and develop something more robust for a practical/production version.

// Brian

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