Motorized Slider

This project uses the Adafruit Feather platform and CircuitPython to make an easy to control motorized camera slider. The build uses aluminum extrusion to support a linear rail system with 3D printed parts. A camera can be mounted to the platform and slide along the rail. You may use the joystick and buttons to trigger different time settings presented on a mini TFT display.

FeatherWings

The mini TFT FeatherWing is perfect for selecting settings and displaying modes! The MotorWing provides the Feather M4 with stepper motor control and makes it easy to connect. A Tripler FeatherWing keeps everything in place and makes it modular.

Features

The program features four timing presets to select from using the joystick and switch. 5-min, 10-min, 20-min and 60-min. The status of the slider is displayed while it's in motion. Time remaining is also displayed alongside a nifty graphic and icon. When the slide is approaching the end, a STOP graphic is presented.

Reverse & Back Up

At the end of a slide, you can choose either to back up or go into reverse mode. This makes it really convenient to kick off a new timelapse!

Previous Build

This project was originally based off the Adafruit Metro, an Arduino compatible board. It used a motor shield and BLE module to control the slider using the Bluefruit LE Connect app. This project has the same mechanical design but with new parts utilizing an Adafruit Feather and FeatherWings. 

Parts

Hardware

1 x Linear Bearing Supported Slide Rail
Linear Bearing Supported Slide Rail - 15mm wide - 500mm long
1 x Linear Bearing Pillow Block
15mm Diameter - Wider Version
2 x Slotted Aluminum Extrusion
Slotted Aluminum Extrusion - 20mm x 20mm - 610mm long
1 x Aluminum GT2 Timing Pulley
6mm Belt - 36 Tooth - 5mm Bore
1 x Ball Bearing
Radial Ball Bearing 608ZZ - Set of 4
1 x Timing Belt GT2
Profile - 2mm pitch - 6mm wide 1164mm long
1 x Swivel-Head Pan Tilt
(PTZ) Shoe Mount Adapter
1 x GT2 Timing Belt Torsion Spring
6mm Width Belt Pack of 10

Screws

4 x M3 Screws
M3 x .5 x 6M (for Stepper Motor)
1 x M4 Screws
Button Hex Machine Screw - M4 thread - 8mm long - pack of 50 (for various mounts)
1 x M4 Screws (Longer)
M4 x .7 x 18M for various mounts
1 x M4 Hex Nuts
M4 x .7 (1.95M thick, 7.0M flat)
1 x M5 Screws
M5 x .8 x 16M for the Pillow Block
1 x T-NUT FOR 20X20 - M4 THREAD
Aluminum Extrusion Oval T-Nut for 20x20 - M4 Thread - pack of 50
1 x Camera and Tripod
3/8" to 1/4" Adapter Screw
1 x 1/4" Screw with D-Ring
Cameras / Tripods / Photo / Video
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This guide was first published on Dec 18, 2019. It was last updated on Dec 05, 2023.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Dec 05, 2019.

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