New controllers and setups from Ukraine

Have questions about the equipment used for macro- or micro- photography? Post those questions in this forum.

Moderators: rjlittlefield, ChrisR, Chris S., Pau

paganel
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:26 pm
Location: Ukraine, Kiev

New controllers and setups from Ukraine

Post by paganel »

For many years I read our forum with great interest. I found many great authors, perfect photos and innovative setups. My first macro tries was many years ago but I don't lose interest to macro technics.

My first setup was without drive and very big http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=13737

My aim was to build:
1. Portable "All in one" setup (controller, macro rails, rechargeable battery, screen, camera and flash control ports, etc)
2. For field and studio work
3. Precision quality 1 to 9999 microns by step
4. High load
5. One screen interface
6. Remote controller with real push buttons (not touch screen)
7. Simple "one touch" base functions interface
8. Not very expensive and based on available components

And I did it!:smt041
Image
Image

The portable box (121x66x40mm) contains main board with the controller, stepper driver, OLED 1.3" screen, IR receiver etc, 12V 2.2A rechargeable battery with charger, camera optoisolated 2.5mm jack port (for focus and shutter), 4-pin port for stepper motor, DC input and power switch. Next version will be have optoisolated port for external flash (firmware will have flash delay function)

Firmware V1 functions:
1. 6 level speed for continuous motion and 5 speeds for stacking
2. Step setup from 1 to 9999 micrometers
3. Exposition setup from 0.001 to 10 seconds
4. 10 levels of prelease delay (from 1/3 to 10 seconds)
5. Great function "stepAndShot" - press buttons from 1 to 9 and take step and shot by one press. Step interval will be defined in 4 diapasons (1-9,10-90,100-900,1000-9000 micrometers)
6. Function «1 step» – press Left or Right button and take step and shot in this direction
7. Predefined button for switch ON/OFF stepper motor
8. Predefined button for «take Shot» flag setup (used in "stepAndShot", «1 step», and automatic stacking functions
9. Predefined button for start position setup
10. Predefined button for finish position setup
11. Predefined button for start/stop automatic stacking
12. Predefined button for manual camera focus
13. Predefined button for manual camera shutter

The controller can work in 2 modes – manual and auto stacking

My English not so good (sorry!) to describe all functions of my controller. May be the video of its work will be best.

My macro setup based on Newport linear actuator, Nema 17 stepper motor (0.9 deg step), my controller and GT2 pulleys with GT2 belt. Very easy to build and very durable

I can move rails by motor or by micrometer head

Image
Image
Image

I take some sample shots of sweet-scented pepper today with Canon 600D camera on LiveView mode and MP-E 65 lens (1x and 2x scale).
You can also view small video of rails motion with 2x scale here:
https://youtu.be/EhOLhzRJOBQ


And I like the results! \:D/
Scale 1x
Image

Crop 1x
Image

Scale 2x
Image

Crop 2x
Image
Last edited by paganel on Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

lonepal
Posts: 322
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:26 pm
Location: Turkey

Post by lonepal »

Hi Paganel;

Nice work!
Your system looks fine.
But I am worried about belt system.
Why you did not connect the stepper directly to the micrometer?
Why did you use pulleys and belt?

Sorry I only wondered the reason.
Regards.
Omer

paganel
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:26 pm
Location: Ukraine, Kiev

Post by paganel »

The belt reduces stepper motor vibration. And makes the rig design easier :)

RobertOToole
Posts: 2627
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:34 pm
Location: United States
Contact:

Post by RobertOToole »

Very interesting, super work for your second version!

Thanks for sharing Paganel.

All the best,

Robert

Macro_Cosmos
Posts: 1511
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:23 pm
Contact:

Post by Macro_Cosmos »

That's a very portable and compact system you have there, great work. :o

paganel
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:26 pm
Location: Ukraine, Kiev

New mod

Post by paganel »

New modification with same controller with upgraded firmware for my friend entomologist

Image
Image
Image
Image

Macro_Cosmos
Posts: 1511
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:23 pm
Contact:

Post by Macro_Cosmos »

I love your setup, it is so compact and neat!
My stackshot has silly dongles and wires coming out of it, I could imagine the controller becoming a cancer patient taking surgery if I use all 3 ports.
Also the battery... an annoyance. A future project for me would be to mod the stackshot for weather sealing and built in lithium battery cells.

paganel
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:26 pm
Location: Ukraine, Kiev

Post by paganel »

Thank you!
You can use this battery (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/12-in-3 ... 10408.html) to power your setup and add silicone case for weather protection. But wires is realy big problem for outdoor macro.

ChrisR
Site Admin
Posts: 8668
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:58 am
Location: Near London, UK

Post by ChrisR »

Very neat =D>
Chris R

paganel
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:26 pm
Location: Ukraine, Kiev

New mod

Post by paganel »

Thank you, Chris! :D

paganel
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:26 pm
Location: Ukraine, Kiev

New mod 2

Post by paganel »

New modification for my friend.

Fully autonomous rails with wireless control, 0.001mm-5mm by step, exposition and focus / stab time controll and very simple interface.

90mm travel based on cnc linear rail
Lead screw 2mm with anti backlash nut inside carriage
Macro rails total length 240mm only
Build-in controller with 3000mA recharchable battery and IR remote controll.
Tripod plate with position adjustment
Arca plate on top

Without wires, without smartphone or computer, without external battery - only rails and camera :)

Image
Image
Image
Image

dmillard
Posts: 637
Joined: Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:37 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Post by dmillard »

That's a beautiful object!

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic