These days, it can feel like a project doesn’t exist unless you’ve posted a video on the Internet about it. [mingul] was in the process of producing his own videos, but found having to repeatedly move and set up the camera tiring. Naturally, a completely overkill eight-axis motion control robot was the solution. Video embedded below the break.
The scale of the build is something to behold. With 4.5 m travel on the X-axis, 6.5 m on the Y, and 2.1 m on the Z, it’s capable of traversing the full length of [mingul]’s workshop. Tilt, pan, and roll axes all feature 540 degrees of rotation, and there’s motors to control zoom and focus on the camera, too. Through software like Dragonframe, it’s possible to program complicated camera moves, and techniques like the classic dolly zoom are a cinch with such a versatile rig. It’s also possible to control the movement in real-time with a wireless Xbox controller.
[mingul] reports the build took a full three months of CNC machining, 3D printing and assembly. It’s a big step above a simple motorized camera slider, but we all have to start somewhere.
[Thanks to Tom Lynch for the tip!]
Just wow. I wish I could have time and money to design and manufacture such works of engineering art.
you can! Start saving now. By the looks of it, I bet he only spent $5000, if my guestimates are right for 8020 extrusions and those motor controllers – this is NOT including the camera.
I’m serious though, I built my own 5×5 CNC machine and spent about $2500.
Quick update – I’m on it. Will be making several cnc machines once my new home is finished. Having own basement/garage is a requisite though. But still, not everyone is in a position to do it.
It’s your life. Most people who say they’d wish they’d have the time deliberately make choices which prohibit them. If you’re willing to make choices, you can do amazing things. It doesn’t just happen to you, though.
Also, [mingul] is kinda doing it for work. Like, producing videos with motion elements is his gig. That justifies a lot.
“Its your life.”…. If so you are more fortunate than others. Some have very little choice in life.
How do they only have 900 subs? The production quality on their videos is astounding!
You gotta start somewhere, and the more recent a person is the harder it’ll be for them to get subscribers with just being there.
Awesome. I mean AWESOME! I have 35+ yrs in feature film, animation and VFX, so I feel I can honestly say, best bit if fun I’ve seen in a very, long time. Hell, I want two, no fixes necessary. ;)
Awesome project, but I found the video boring — just a lot of brief random shots that look fancy but tell nothing about how it works or how it was built.
Just because he made a cool rig to help with his videos doesn’t mean he knows how to present them (most don’t.) Which is fine for YouTube and the like.
Absolute beauty!
I was impressed with how the build was going, then I saw the rigging on the ceiling and yelled “holy shit” loud enough that a coworker came in to my office.
I have no idea why he doesn’t have more subscribers.
Damn, that’s impressive.
He’s got the full GLaDOS there.
Oo I’m speechless…
He build this thing all on his own in 3 months !!!
Apple: Our new selfie automation face detection filter yadda yadda…
Mingul: Hold my sake.
The irony being that aye want to look at none of him and all of the project – which won’t be seen bcz this was made to look at him. (-_ლ)
soju whould be more appropriate.
This is an amazing set of fabrication and electronics hacks to get this project over the finish line. I estimate over $60k to get something like this built in terms of labor, materials, and engineering knowledge. Which is probably why you don’t see setups like this very often. It’s much cheaper to just get a camera person and rent a crane.
1. Wow
2. Where do people find time and money to do such over-the-top builds?
Step 1: Be a mechanical engineer. Step 2: Don’t have kids.
One of the best things I have ever seen on hackaday
Agreed – this was some beautiful engineering. Amazing work.
Holy Mother of God! That’s bloody amazing!
He needs to be a judge in the next HaD challenge. That’s an absolutely superb work. Multi-disciplinary and very well executed. Give that man a proverbial coconut.
That is a WORK OF ART!!! such a stunning piece of machinery! i wonder if he also implemented point tracking in to it.
Better than the original Dykstraflex used on the first Star Wars movie. Better than the updated Dykstraflex used on the original Battlestar Galactica.
Madness, absolute madness. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
This was very cool. In the future it would be cool to see some motion tracking, so the camera can automatically follow hands/body around the shop. No need to program complex paths, just let it follow the man’s movements.
Damn. Respect.
Speechless.
That’s awesome! Kudos to the inventor!
T.b.h.: I did not look through the complete video, but this thing looks very dangerous…