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PhotoShip One · 10-29-2009, 10:21 AM

One of two 3 axis ring gimbals I'm working on. This is the mini ring. Made for HD handycam type cameras. A larger 3 axis ring for DSLR and production video cameras will be started in December or January.

I believe the mini will be the smallest 3 axis ring gimbal available. Roll is going to be belt drive and tilt/pan will be gear drive. There are 8 ball bearings inside the ring. All up design weight is calculated to be 13 ounces. Hopefully I can keep the actual close to or less than calculated.

The ring gimbals will be able to be attached to our typical 2XPT front mount tube systems with no modifications.

Stay tuned

halley · 10-29-2009, 11:29 AM

Looks good, PS1. I have been thinking that the existing ring gimbals are too large for advanced amateur use. Not that I'm ready to buy one just yet, but I wondered why nobody was trying for smaller rings... hoping it wasn't because it couldn't be done.

SeismicCWave · 10-29-2009, 02:08 PM

Perfect size DJ. All I need to do is to put a stabilizer on the roll axis and I am all set.

Tabbytabb · 10-29-2009, 10:40 PM

How cute!

In all seriousness this is awesome!. I have a couple upcoming projects that would be perfect for something like this.

Tabb

jffry7 · 10-30-2009, 01:46 AM

being able to to attached to existing 2X gimbal makes it even better..

HeliTamer · 10-30-2009, 10:21 AM

Sounds great

pls keep in touch

Regards Patrick

jeffscholl · 10-30-2009, 11:51 AM

Looking foward to the DSLR ring!

Pigs dont fly · 10-30-2009, 12:16 PM

Very nice DJ, what are they made from, how heavy are they on their own..is 13 oz the whole mount or just the ring??

PhotoShip One · 10-30-2009, 12:36 PM

They will be made from a combination of materials. G10, Delrin, Aluminum, Stainless. The ring shown is G10 and Delrin with Stainless balls inside

The 13 oz. number is the target weight for the entire gimbal. The ring as shown in the above pics is 4.3oz (123 grams). I may make the ring 12mm larger in diameter to better fit point and shoot still cameras so the weight may increase to about 15 ounces (425 grams) all up weight.

I'm going to try to make the mini ring such that it can be purchased in two versions.

1) Roll ring only and adapter kit to fit to an existing 2X gimbal to make it a 3 axis

2) Roll ring with pan/tilt outer ring (complete 3 axis ring)

The weight I mentioned above is for option 2.

halley · 10-30-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotoShip One

I may make the ring 12mm larger in diameter to better fit point and shoot still cameras so the weight may increase to about 15 ounces (425 grams) all up weight.

If, say, a Panasonic Lumix P&S still camera (I think you've talked about them before) was put into that ring, wouldn't it fit? Instead of increasing radius, maybe a wider chord piece can be used under the camera, increasing mounting area width at the expense of height clearance.

On a related note, I'm trying out a vertical bracket design that will hold a microservo over a P&S shutter. It'd fit the Aerio and probably the 2X gimbals. If it works well, I'll give you the SVG.

Monterey_Tip · 10-30-2009, 08:42 PM

I was exactly thinking of something like that for my little panny SD9. I keep having ideas and then DJ makes them...what's up with that? ESP?

Looking forward to the final output.

Tip

Steve M. · 10-31-2009, 02:42 AM

Put me down for one.

PhotoShip One · 11-01-2009, 04:50 PM

I'm wondering if there is a real need for the roll axis to rotate continuously. I would think the ability for the inner to ring to roll up to 20 degrees either side of neutral would be more than enough. Is there truly a need to roll more than 20 degrees in 98% of photo/video missions?

I have an inner ring drive mechanism that would be proportional allowing for more options for roll stabilization but it will limit roll to a total of about 40 degrees. I know the fellows who fly Mikrocopters (quads) and DJI systems would love the proportional roll as their built in camera stabilizers would be able to make use of it.

Full 360 roll is certainly doable but will add more complexity and weight as well as cost. How beneficial in every day use would 360 roll really be?

Let me have your opinions.

Monterey_Tip · 11-01-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhotoShip One

Full 360 roll is certainly doable but will add more complexity and weight as well as cost. How beneficial in every day use would 360 roll really be?

Let me have your opinions.

Not necessary to me. Especially while shooting solo.

Tip

SeismicCWave · 11-01-2009, 05:44 PM

Nope, no 360 roll for me. I just want a roll axis control so I can use a gyro on it. Gravity and oil fill damper works but is not that good.

Monterey_Tip · 11-01-2009, 06:19 PM

That's how I would use it too. If I need more than 20 degrees then I've had too much coffee

Tip

Hoverinhigh7 · 11-01-2009, 06:20 PM

Nope, No need for 360 roll but I would like to see about a total of 90 degrees. When will they be ready for sale?

halley · 11-01-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoverinhigh7

Nope, No need for 360 roll but I would like to see about a total of 90 degrees. When will they be ready for sale?

Sounds like you're hoping for some kind of sport flight, not just a hovering camera platform?

Hoverinhigh7 · 11-01-2009, 06:48 PM

No, I wont be just hovering, My flights sometimes consist of banking turns. More is better than not enough. Id say 20 degrees is all you would need for normal flying though.

PhotoShip One · 11-02-2009, 10:57 AM

ok... so, it's looking like the mini ring will have proportional roll with about 25 degrees of roll either side of horizontal (50 degrees total). Even with forward flight banking turns there is plenty of roll travel for stabilization. Keep in mind that for most video applications even in banked turns you want the video to bank into the the direction of the turn. Your brain expects to see this when turning. If the turn was flat it would feel "funny" when you view it. The 50 total degrees of travel offers plenty of headroom for stabilizing that roll during a turn should the helicopter wobble a bit in the roll axis.

The large ring will have non-proportional roll with 90 degrees of roll either side of horizontal (180 degrees total).

I'll have some pictures of the mini ring later today in it's current state. It's coming along nicely.

10-29-2009, 10:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
PhotoShip One Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2008	The "Ring" One of two 3 axis ring gimbals I'm working on. This is the mini ring. Made for HD handycam type cameras. A larger 3 axis ring for DSLR and production video cameras will be started in December or January. I believe the mini will be the smallest 3 axis ring gimbal available. Roll is going to be belt drive and tilt/pan will be gear drive. There are 8 ball bearings inside the ring. All up design weight is calculated to be 13 ounces. Hopefully I can keep the actual close to or less than calculated. The ring gimbals will be able to be attached to our typical 2XPT front mount tube systems with no modifications. Stay tuned Attached Thumbnails

10-29-2009, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tabbytabb Registered Users Join Date: May 2004	How cute! In all seriousness this is awesome!. I have a couple upcoming projects that would be perfect for something like this. Tabb __________________ www.freeflycinema.com

10-30-2009, 12:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pigs dont fly Registered Users Join Date: May 2006	Very nice DJ, what are they made from, how heavy are they on their own..is 13 oz the whole mount or just the ring?? __________________ Warning this hobby is very addictive and may damage your wealth.

10-31-2009, 02:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
Steve M. Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Sep 2008	Put me down for one. __________________ Vini, Vidi, Velcro

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10-29-2009, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
halley Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2009	Looks good, PS1. I have been thinking that the existing ring gimbals are too large for advanced amateur use. Not that I'm ready to buy one just yet, but I wondered why nobody was trying for smaller rings... hoping it wasn't because it couldn't be done.

10-29-2009, 02:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
SeismicCWave Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2007	Perfect size DJ. All I need to do is to put a stabilizer on the roll axis and I am all set.

10-30-2009, 01:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
jffry7 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2009	being able to to attached to existing 2X gimbal makes it even better..

10-30-2009, 10:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
HeliTamer Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2009	Sounds great pls keep in touch Regards Patrick

10-30-2009, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
jeffscholl Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2004	Looking foward to the DSLR ring!

10-30-2009, 12:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
PhotoShip One Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2008	They will be made from a combination of materials. G10, Delrin, Aluminum, Stainless. The ring shown is G10 and Delrin with Stainless balls inside The 13 oz. number is the target weight for the entire gimbal. The ring as shown in the above pics is 4.3oz (123 grams). I may make the ring 12mm larger in diameter to better fit point and shoot still cameras so the weight may increase to about 15 ounces (425 grams) all up weight. I'm going to try to make the mini ring such that it can be purchased in two versions. 1) Roll ring only and adapter kit to fit to an existing 2X gimbal to make it a 3 axis 2) Roll ring with pan/tilt outer ring (complete 3 axis ring) The weight I mentioned above is for option 2.

10-30-2009, 08:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
Monterey_Tip Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2006	I was exactly thinking of something like that for my little panny SD9. I keep having ideas and then DJ makes them...what's up with that? ESP? Looking forward to the final output. Tip

11-01-2009, 04:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
PhotoShip One Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2008	I'm wondering if there is a real need for the roll axis to rotate continuously. I would think the ability for the inner to ring to roll up to 20 degrees either side of neutral would be more than enough. Is there truly a need to roll more than 20 degrees in 98% of photo/video missions? I have an inner ring drive mechanism that would be proportional allowing for more options for roll stabilization but it will limit roll to a total of about 40 degrees. I know the fellows who fly Mikrocopters (quads) and DJI systems would love the proportional roll as their built in camera stabilizers would be able to make use of it. Full 360 roll is certainly doable but will add more complexity and weight as well as cost. How beneficial in every day use would 360 roll really be? Let me have your opinions.

11-01-2009, 05:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
SeismicCWave Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2007	Nope, no 360 roll for me. I just want a roll axis control so I can use a gyro on it. Gravity and oil fill damper works but is not that good.

11-01-2009, 06:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Monterey_Tip Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2006	That's how I would use it too. If I need more than 20 degrees then I've had too much coffee Tip

11-01-2009, 06:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
Hoverinhigh7 Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2008	Nope, No need for 360 roll but I would like to see about a total of 90 degrees. When will they be ready for sale?

11-01-2009, 06:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
Hoverinhigh7 Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2008	No, I wont be just hovering, My flights sometimes consist of banking turns. More is better than not enough. Id say 20 degrees is all you would need for normal flying though.

11-02-2009, 10:57 AM	#20 (permalink)
PhotoShip One Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2008	ok... so, it's looking like the mini ring will have proportional roll with about 25 degrees of roll either side of horizontal (50 degrees total). Even with forward flight banking turns there is plenty of roll travel for stabilization. Keep in mind that for most video applications even in banked turns you want the video to bank into the the direction of the turn. Your brain expects to see this when turning. If the turn was flat it would feel "funny" when you view it. The 50 total degrees of travel offers plenty of headroom for stabilizing that roll during a turn should the helicopter wobble a bit in the roll axis. The large ring will have non-proportional roll with 90 degrees of roll either side of horizontal (180 degrees total). I'll have some pictures of the mini ring later today in it's current state. It's coming along nicely.

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