Planetary Webcam Elevator

This one has been on my to-do list for so long! Webcams and cameras in general really do need adjustable supports, and there is a distinct lack of gratuitously complicated ones around.

This one uses a pair of big planetary gear setups with in-built locking latches! The latch is a sliding switch that is attached to locking pin internally that engages with the ribs on the outer gear, keeping it from going too far.

Camera attachment

Hopefully your webcam has a standard tripod threaded hole, in which case you can use the provided bolt to secure the camera to the Planetary Webcam Elevator. If not, you are going to have to improvise, perhaps with rubber bands, tape, or very careful balancing.

There are slots cut into the side of the webcam platform, though, which are intended to provide an attachment point if creative attachment means are required.

Print Description

This is an articulated print, so ensure the bottom layer is nice and neat and that there aren't any print issues such as overextrusion or stringing that might bind moving parts together!

Print Dimensions

The stand occupies 145mm x 139mm on the print bed and is 45mm tall.

Supports Needed?

Not at all!  Designed for straightforward printing!

Scalability

This should scale up or down a little, but the gears will loosen or tighten accordingly, and the tripod bolt hole will probably no longer serve its purpose usefully!

Print Orientation

The stand prints on its side, with the gears lying on the print bed. The bolt prints head-down.

Further Thoughts

I did explore having many more planetary gear bits involved in the stand, but one of the big problems with articulated models that require rigidity from one end to the other is that they are at the mercy of the cumulative movement facilitated by the gaps between objects that we need in order to actually print the parts without binding.

There's still a bit of movement in this version, but that's why there is a whole extra ring around the outer planetary gear - to reduce the play in the system to a single gap, rather than the sum of the gaps around each of the planetary gear components!

Happy printing!

xoxo

Sven.

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504 Planetary Webcam Elevator