Camera Slider / Dolly

thingiverse

Introduction This is the first version of a fully functional 3D printed camera slider, utilizing 10mm O/D carbon fibre rods and 4mm O/D PTFE solid rods as inserts for precision bearings. My primary goal is to design a compact motorized version for time-lapse photography, compatible with GoPro cameras and other small devices. I aimed to create a lightweight system suitable for hiking or traveling, allowing users to capture high-quality footage without the burden of heavy equipment. This project also serves as a testbed for prototype bearings, providing valuable insights into their performance. A short video demonstrates the basic assembly process, along with a quick test and strength assessment. You can view it here: https://youtu.be/EmyTxzf4ODk Printing The design is optimized for printability without support structures. Some files may require rotation or flipping to achieve optimal orientation. I accidentally used different planes in Inventor, resulting in this necessity. I printed all parts at 0.2mm resolution with an infill of 30-40 percent. However, I recommend using 50-60% infill for the end plates, as over-tightening M3 bolts can cause layer splitting or poor adhesion. Increasing the printer's temperature to its upper limit can help mitigate this issue. .STP files are included for users who want to customize the design and improve its performance. Required Parts Bearings: 4mm PTFE rod (480mm total), used in each bearing, which takes 30mm of rod. PTFE tube may also work, but I haven't tested it due to its higher cost from a UK supplier. Carbon Fibre Rods: 2 x 10mm O/D x 500mm carbon fibre rods End Plates & Legs: 4 x M5x20mm bolts (capped head), 4 x M5 hex nuts, 4 x M3x12mm or M3x16mm bolts (capped head), 4 x M3 washers, and 4 x M3 hex nuts Fixing Plate: 16 x M3x12mm bolts (capped head) and 16 x M3 hex nuts Assembly The assembly process is straightforward. A video demonstrates the steps for the main components. The end plates can be mounted either way around. Bearing holes have a small coil rotation to help grip the PTFE rod, but this may result in a tight fit depending on the printed bearing size. I've included 4 sizes for the bearings, with the first dimension representing the I/D of the bearing or O/D of the carbon fibre rod and the second dimension representing the O/D of the PTFE rod. Future Improvements A motorized version is currently in development, aiming to reduce the number of bolts used for the top plate and potentially introducing a 3-point design. Different types of legs will also be explored to improve the overall design. A quick release mechanism for end plates and legs will allow for easy assembly and disassembly.