SMD viewer using a Logitech BRIO 4k

thingiverse

The Logitech BRIO is a high-resolution webcam connected via USB3.0 that is widely used and supported by major operating systems. Some makers have shown how to modify it by replacing the optics with an adjustable lens and disabling auto focus. Instructions can be found at https://www.kurokesu.com/main/2017/09/18/logitech-brio-4k-webcam-rework-instructions/. Others, such as those in Hacking a Logitech Brio 4K Webcam to attach to a Telescope for astrophotography Part 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aivFSC5gI4), have demonstrated how to repurpose the webcam. When making these modifications, there is a risk of damaging the camera's chamber and incurring costs exceeding 100 Euro. However, one user decided to take the risk and followed the instructions provided by Kurokesu. In their case, it was not necessary to desolder the signal LED on the PCB of the chamber as the infrared filter shielded the light. The main metal part of the BRIO chamber served as a heat sink. To disassemble the camera, two screws at the ends were unscrewed, and the front panel was carefully removed by disconnecting the flexible PCB that connected the infrared camera and microphones. The mechanical fixing had to be removed before disassembling the PCB. A blade was used to gently detach the double-sided adhesive tape holding the mount plate. Next, the PCB was carefully removed without damaging it. After desoldering the terminals of the auto focus system, the two lower screws that held the original lens system were unscrewed. The lens system had to be lifted vertically without damaging or soiling the sensor. A new 3D printed adapter was then mounted to fix the IR filter that filtered the visible field. This adapter was fixed with two 2x10 screws and tightened with nuts inserted into the sides of the adapter. A 9x9x1.1 mm IR filter from a damaged digital camera was used, which was fixed with a square ring held by a few drops of adhesive. The PCB with the IR filter was then fixed in the housing with four original screws. The front cover was replaced with a thinner, 3D printed cover that was fixed with two original screws at the ends. After reassembling the camera, its functioning was checked and found to be completely out of focus due to the missing optical part. To adapt the modified BRIO camera to a support, a case with an M32x2 threaded ring nut was created. The macro adapter would be screwed onto this nut. A fixing ring allowed the body of the BRIO to be locked to the housing with four screws (M2x10 mm). The housing of the webcam contained two HEX bolts (M4x20 mm) that were used to secure it to the upper support. Washers and wing nuts were used to lock these bolts in place. The upper support could be fixed using screws or glued magnets. A macro adapter was designed with a M32x2 female thread on one end to screw onto the ring nut of the camera housing. The other end had an M39x1 thread that screwed onto a photographic lens recovered from a U.R.R.S. camera of the 1960s. The macro adapter file was provided in step format, allowing users to modify it for lenses with different fixtures and lengths. Two rotation blocks were installed over the housing body to prevent the macro adapter from rotating once attached. The entire setup was assembled and tested, resulting in a variable magnification between 25 and 40 when objects varied between 30 and 20 cm. The camera produced images with high resolution, low latency, and a high frame rate. The brightness was good, and the lens diaphragm could be used almost closed even in weak light conditions. In this user's case, no manual drivers were required as the device was directly recognized by Windows 10, and the camera application settings allowed for changing parameters of use.