PiCam Print Bed Mount

myminifactory

Having examined several camera mounts for the Raspberry Pi camera (V2.1), I made up my mind to design one myself. My goal was to create a mount that would secure firmly to the print bed of my Ender 3, resulting in more stable timelapse footage of my prints. The mount attaches to the bed via a U-shaped bracket and threaded wingnut. It is currently clamped to the plate holding the heated print bed on an Ender 3 (after installing an EZABL and removing springs and adjusting nuts for a fixed position), but it can also be directly attached to the bed. I have intentionally left enough space in the clamp for users with glass plates, as I do. You may need to adjust the camera's focus to account for the short distance to the print area. I used this wrench to tweak the lens: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1570865. Alternatively, a sharp pair of tweezers can be employed. The U-bracket is attached to the arm via an M4 bolt (16mm long), nut, and spring washer - as depicted in image no. 3. I have also created an additional bracket that fits onto the top aluminum extrusion of the Ender 3, allowing for repositioning of the arm and camera assembly to view the print bed from above. Update: June 7, 2020 I have modified the wingbolt to use a thread and key. Concerns had been raised about the printed wingbolt hitting the aluminum extrusion under the print bed when attached to the print bed support. Use the key to wind the thread in and out, then remove it for clearance beneath the print bed. I have also refined the thread to create a smoother fit into the clamp thread.