So, I managed to break record time making the second prototype, (well, for me at least =) I had the final parts (acrylic) come in last tuesday, and it was fully assembled and working on Saturday!

The gearing on this pan unit is 20.8:1, or roughly 0.011 degrees of movement minimum.

(Edit: for those wondering what that means in final movement potential, it means it can move as slow as 100 degrees in about 9,090 shots or can skip up to 254 shots between movements, making it as slow as 100 degrees every 2,318,182 shots. It can also operate up to 255 steps between shots, giving it a max speed of 100 degrees every 36 shots.)

Here're a few pics:







Took it out sunday for its first test run, it had some level issues and some stability issues w/ wind, but I was happy with it otherwise! Here's a video showing 1 shot every two seconds, with 0.011 degrees of movement between shots:



More info about how it's built, next steps, etc. are here: http://roamingdrone.wordpress.com/2008/ ... -complete/

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

!c

Just out of curiosity what are you paying to have that acrylic machined?

I paid $70 for pre-cut pieces, enough to make almost 2 of these (4x 9.6x6, 3x 4x6, 3x 9.6x4) from professionalplastics.com

All of the drilling, etc, I did myself. Note that the 9.6x4 pieces were 1/2" too long, so I just trimmed them with a jigsaw. But their cuts are better than mine =)

There may be less expensive places for some types and colors, but they actually had very competitive pricing on the 1/4" bronze cast acrylic.

!c

Ok, I thought you were ordering those pieces finished, holes and all. I was going to say, if you ever need any small scale machining done hit me up.

I might just... Do you have mill/press/lathe, or can you also do casting?

!c

Mill and lathe, that's about it.