Ball Turret - Board Camera Gimbal Enclosure

thingiverse

The Ball Turret Enclosure, designed for HobbyKing's large fiberglass board camera gimbal, is a must-have accessory for Flame Wheel and similar quadcopter frames. Assembling it on the bottom frame plate offers a cool feature that enhances the quadcopter's appearance. To assemble, print three Spacers and one each of Top Enclosure, Mount Ring, and Ball Turret with twist Ring. Ensure the Ball Turret prints without support, but be prepared to fill any slight depressions with silicone adhesive. The Ball Turret features a twist Ring at its base, which may require some wiggling to separate. After assembly, apply a drop of oil to the twisting joint for smooth movement. However, do not add oil until the entire assembly is ready to mount on the vehicle to avoid compromising adhesion during flight. Attach Spacers to the twist Ring and Top Enclosure, aligning the C-openings towards the quadcopter and the back opening on the Top Enclosure facing it. Attach the camera to the pan-tilt gimbal and secure it into the Mount Ring with the lens towards the larger opening. For the Mount Ring, orient the thinner landing/flange towards the board camera, and the wider landing will be flush with the panning servo motor attachment area. Slip the camera gimbal with the Mount Ring into the Ball Turret, aligning the lens with the slot. If necessary, trim the lower Mount landing/flange to fit. Secure the Top Enclosure to the Spacers and Ball Turret using small screws if desired, taking care not to interfere with proper turning of the Ball Turret. To mount the assembly on the vehicle, use a single screw through the pan servo motor bracket into the fiberglass tongue on the Q450 bottom frame. The Top Enclosure's open back allows access to the pan servo and faces the quad framing and wiring. Test the pan-tilt function using a remote radio transmitter for a cool display when the quadcopter is resting on a flat surface. Note that this assembly has not been tested in flight, so use at your own discretion. For those who build their quadcopters upside down, the Ball Turret can be mounted low and beneath the quadcopter, using additional legs for ground clearance.