Introduction: Simple Motorized Rotating Display (Arduino Based + Controlled From Your Smartphone)

By jjrobots
About: We love robots, DIY and funny science. JJROBOTS aims to bringing Open robotic projects closer to the people by providing hardware, good documentation, building instructions+code, "how it works" info …


A rotating display is a good way to give your "target" more dynamism and keep the "observer" looking at it

Actually, this is a side project, a rotating display created from the CAMERA SLIDER WITH OBJECT TRACKING project. Quite straightforward "robot" to do, as every element has been used with the CAMERA SLIDER but they are some minor "tricks" you will have to consider before jumping into this project :-)

Check the sample videos here

Step 1: Controlled From Smartphone

The main advantage of filming a rotating object is that the light reflections change highlighting details while it is moving . You can control the spinning speed and stops from your smartphone using the free control APP (iOS and Android)

LINK: Control APP USER GUIDE

Step 2: WHAT YOU NEED TO CREATE YOUR ROTATING DISPLAY

All the elements you need to create this ROTATING DISPLAY have been using in the CAMERA SLIDER ROBOT. You will not need all of them, just some elements:

SET-UP

Photo: We are using a tablet connected via WIFI to the electronics in charge of smoothly spinning the motor and a smartphone to film everything. But, of course, it is up to you to use any other camera for filming. From the control APP you can set the spinning speed in real time and set the physical "stopping" points (where the platform will stop and reverse the rotation). Find below, in the instructable, how to connect everything if you already have the Brain shield + Arduino Leonardo. If not, you can use an Arduino + Motor Shield +ESP WIFI module and connect everything as indicated here

Video of the board filmed here

3D PARTS

We have created two different types of supports for the object to be rotated: a 10 cms diameter platform for NEMA 17 stepper motors and a inclined support (as the one used in the first video of this instructable).

The differences:

The PLATFORM will let you place a cardboard or any other similar rigid surface on top, creating a horizontal plane where you can leave any object. The object is going to spin with the platform.

The INCLINED HOLDER will rotate the object alone, so you can fix a rigid cardboard (make a 6-7mm hole to let the motor shaft to go through, see images below for details)

Above: the rotating platform and one the inclined holder. You can find more supports here: Thingiverse

To create the horizontal plane to be used with the INCLINED HOLDER, just cut a cardboard or similar rigid material to any reasonable dimension (30x30 cms aprox) and make a hole of 8 mm diameter in the middle. You will have to pass the motor shaft through it and attach the INCLINED HOLDER to the shaft

You can fix almost everything to the motor shaft with the right support. Download and print them from here Use any rigid surface and cut a hole of approx 8mm diameter. It does not have to be located just in the middle. Keep in mind that the camera will see everything behind the object so piercing the hole close to a corner will give the impression of a larger area behind the target once you are capturing the scene with the camera. Above: the two options you have to create your rotating display. Rotate just the object over a static background or rotate everything, including the platform. 3D parts here

HOW TO?

Just connect everything as indicated below. If you connect the motor cable to the control board backwards, the object will rotate in the opposite direction. Use any 9-15V power supply to power up the system (12V recommended).

STEPS:

  1. Upload the Arduino code to the Arduino board (links below)
  2. Connect your stepper motor control (or the Brain shield) and stepper motor drivers to the Arduino
  3. Plug the motor to the control board (a 70 cms cable will do the job)
  4. Download the control app for your smartphone / tablet (links below)
  5. Power up the control board and connect your smartphone / tablet to the JJROBOTS_XX wifi network (password: 87654321 ) and launch the control APP
  6. Pick a rotating platform for your rotating display (You have already printed them, haven´t you?)
  7. Play a little bit with the RAIL length value and speed in real time and see how it rotates.
  8. Enjoy!

LINKS: