Openslide

OpenSlide is an Open-Source Camera Slider build with cost effective and well available components.

How to build your own OpenSlide

Here is a basic overview on how to build your own slider. For more detailed instructions view the german docs of the project.

Item list

• Rails
  We use standardized V-slot aluminum extrusions as rails. These are easy to process and easy to obtain.
• Motor
  In order for the cart to automatically travel on the rails, it needs a motor. We have opted for the Nema 17 42 Stepper Motor.
• Cog belt
  The V-belt is looped around the camera slider; it is responsible for enabling the cart to move along the rails with the help of the motor. Since we couldn't use a standard size, we opted for a set. This allows us to adjust the V-belt ourselves, adapting it to our specific size. This not only ensures a secure fit in terms of size but also allows us to experiment and optimize, as we can adjust the tensile strength ourselves.
• Cart
  The cart is pulled back and forth on the rails by the V-belt, making it the moving element in our construction. Ultimately, the camera is attached to the cart, allowing it to move back and forth as desired. The cart has a standard size that corresponds to the rails. Additionally, it is adjustable depending on the type of rails chosen. This ensures that it works for our project.
• Arduino
  To implement the logic on the camera slider, we use an Arduino Micro-Controller. This has the advantage of being very small while providing all the necessary connections.
• Power supply
  To drive the motor, we require more power than what we can supply through the USB interface. Therefore, we need an external power supply to ensure the proper functioning of the motor.
• End switch
  To determine the position of the cart on the slider in the code, we need to perform calibration at the beginning. For this purpose, we require two switches, each attached at the start and end of the slider. These switches will notify us when there is contact with the cart.
• Motor Driver
  It is used for communication with the motor, issuing commands such as speed, current consumption, precision, and temperature to the motor.
• Capacitor
  Capacitors store electrical charges and the associated electrical energy temporarily. This ensures that a constant amount of current reaches the end device, thereby eliminating fluctuations in voltage.
• Accessories
  To attach various components, we need various screws and hot glue, among other things. We already had these utensils on hand.

3D Printing

Print the parts form the cat/renders/ Folder of the GitHub Project

Build

Connect Arduino with Motor

You can use the following Plan to connect the Motor with the Arduino and the driver.

If you don't want to make changes to the arduino script, use following Ports:

stepPin 5
dirPin 4

Connect Switches

Connect the Switches to the Arduino, use following ports if you don't want to make changes to the script.

#define btnOne 14
#define btnTwo 13

Put everything together

Assemble the Rest of the parts using the Image of the Slider.

User Interface

You can use our user Interface deployed on openslide.vercel.app or deploy it yourself using the node Application in /src directory.

Start using the Slider. Enjoy the Experiance.