Macro Focus Rail to Automate Shooting Stacked Photos

thingiverse

The printed parts for this project are the housing and mounting parts. The entire project consists of other parts which are listed in the description of the YouTube video at:https://youtu.be/nWsPGijSRI0For complete information, please watch the video.I am listing the parts and how it works again here in case they don't appear with the video link.PartsSteel rails ~ 9" long x 8mm (2)Arduino Uno boardEasyDriverRail supports (4)Linear Bearings (4)Stepper MotorGT2 20 tooth pulley (2)GT2 timing belt ~30"On-Off-On switchLimit switch (2)LED (3) Red Green OrangeResistor 220 ohm (3)1/8" mono jackFlash shoe adapter for your cameraM2.4x4mm nylon screwsM1.7x8mm screws (4)M4x8mm machine screws (12)M3x30 machine screws (4)M5x40 machine screw for idler pulleyM5 nutConnection wire and solderWire tieWood or metal screws to mount housing, stepper mount and idler mountHow it worksIn my use, the camera shutter release is activated by either the computer program for the Sony or by the intervalometer I purchased for the Sony. When the shutter is activated, the flash shoe is activated and the Arduino senses this and waits for one second before moving the platform to allow the shutter to open and close. The Arduino sketch moves the platform 0.5mm (20 steps) each time. Modifying the number of steps per frame can reduce the distance as small as 0.025mm. When the platform is moving, the Wait light (orange) is illuminated and the Shoot light (green) is off. The Arduino then waits a second for the platform to settle before illuminating the Shoot light and turning off the Wait light.The toggle switch allows you to move the platform forward or backward. If the platform hits a limit switch during a move, the Shoot/Wait lights will flash alternately until the platform is repositioned. This will also happen if the platform reaches a limit during shooting, so postion the platform at a safe distance to cover the depth of the subject before starting the sequence.An adapter for the flash shoe connects to a 1/8" mono jack to trigger the Arduino.The Arduino sketch is now included in the files. I overlooked uploading it when I created the project here. Sorry.