Window Blind Stepper Mount

thingiverse

Hello, I've been dreaming of automating my window blinds for a while now, and I'm thrilled to say that I finally have a working version. This design utilizes a 28BYJ-48 stepper motor, which may seem slow at first, but trust me, 20 seconds is not too long for the full motion. Plus, the motor itself is completely silent - just the occasional scratch from the plastic blinds shifting. This design was inspired by my metal blinds, but I've also included a version that should fit most plastic blinds with only a few parameter adjustments. Keep in mind, though, that you'll likely need to create your own adapter between the stepper and the blinds, as each type can be slightly different. The stabilizer is essential for reducing torque on the mounts - it's what keeps everything steady. I used one 1mm test print at the top of my design simply because I could; two would probably be even better. If you're planning to use this setup with OpenHAB, like me, make sure to communicate via serial commands first - it'll save you a lot of work later on. My current configuration is using an Raspbery Pi hosting OpenHAB and the window is conveniently located right next to it. I'm currently just controlling it through serial commands, but I plan to integrate MySensors into my system soon. If you're interested in this kind of project or have any questions, feel free to ask - I'd love some constructive criticism or design hints. Here's a short video demonstrating how the system works: https://youtu.be/16KzyZw8res I hope this helps others who are working on similar projects. As for materials, I used 3mm screws and nuts with washers. Files: * Inventor16_WindowStepperMountFiles.zip contains my part files in Inventor format. * StepFiles_WindowStepperMountfiles.zip includes step file exports for non-Inventor users. * Arduino_stepper_Window.zip is the base code I'm using, made with Arduino 1.6.7. Credit: The small_stepper.stl model included in the inventor zip file is courtesy of http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1616268. Print Settings: Printer Brand: Robo 3D Printer Model: R1 ABS + PLA Model Rafts: No Supports: Doesn't Matter Resolution: .2 Infill: 13% Notes: I used blue PLA for the adapter and red ABS for the mounts. It doesn't seem to make a difference, but I thought it might help with flexibility when clipping it on the metal.