If you want to add a camera, now is the time. This step will breakdown everything required to mount a camera so you can monitor your prints.
Print the camera mount
I found an amazing camera mount on Thingiverse, but the print comes with a lot of files and is very customizable, so I'll let you know exactly what I did.
Files and quantities
STL File |
Qty |
Note |
BallNut.stl |
1 |
Use brim. |
ffLink_90_support.stl |
1 |
|
mfLink_90_support.stl |
2 |
|
mfLink_support.stl |
1 |
|
raspiCamBack.stl |
1 |
Use brim. |
raspiCamCover_NoLense.stl |
1 |
Print if your camera has no lense. |
raspiCamCover_Lense.stl |
1 |
Print if your camera has a lense. |
Thumb_Bolt.stl |
5 |
|
Thumb_Nut.stl |
4 |
Use brim. |
xAxisBracket.stl |
1 |
|
Printing advice
First, read the Thingiverse instructions. The author provides the proper print settings. The author recommends using 100% infill. I used 50% to save time, and it works just fine.
Also, the author says "no brim". But I did, in fact, need a brim for some of the components. I identified these components in the table above.
You can try to print everything in a single batch, but I'd recommend breaking it up into multiple batches (so you don't waste your time).
Assemble the camera mount
This part is fairly self-explanatory, and you can use the image as a guide. It's like putting a puzzle together, and the good thing is that you get to assemble it exactly how you'd like. Go ahead and assemble the entire camera mount, and put the camera in position as well.
Using an M3x16 screw, secure the X Axis Bracket to the x-axis motor. This requires only one screw.
You can loosen thumb bolts and thumb nuts to reposition the mount, and tighten them to lock it in place.
Connect the camera
Connect one end of the camera ribbon cable to the Pi, and the other end to the camera. To do so, you'll need to pull the tabs on both sides of the camera connector away. Then, slide the cable into the opening until it's seated firmly in place. Then push the tabs back down to lock the cable in place.
If you look at the ends of the ribbon cable, you'll notice one side has the "teeth" exposed. This is the side that makes the connection, and it should face the board on both the camera and the Pi.
A note on the camera cable
Most of the Raspberry Pi Zero camera cables you'll find are too short for this project, so I recommend getting both the extender thingy and the extension cable as well.