My latest DIY: CNC Macro

[sk66]

My latest DIY project.
It's a remote controlled 10" CNC linear stage with Arca Swiss mount, 2 LED lights with polarizing filters, and a 4 axis linear stage. The stage can be rotated to increase usable travel by positioning the specimen farther away, and it has an articulating arm/pin clamp as well. All mounted on oak with rubber isolation feet.

It is not programmable, but it does allow for very fine/small adjustments. I thought I would be able to reprogram the controller board, but that is beyond my capabilities.
I haven't actually used it to take pics yet, and it will probably be a while before I get a chance to.

 

[niko]

lovely kit, whats it to take pics of? anything in particular?

 

[sk66]

It's for high magnification macro stacks of dead insects, or pretty much anything tiny.

 

[niko]

It's for high magnification macro stacks of dead insects, or pretty much anything tiny.

thank you, so more for fun than needed for work i guess?

 

[sk66]

Yeah, if I needed it for work I would probably have bought something pre-made...
This is similar to the StackShot extended rail system, except that mine has a longer/better rail and is more complete with lighting and a 4way stage. That product is over $600 and I'm at right around $200. I'm going to be adding a RS232 driver board so that I can use Helicon Remote/Focus with it (that will cost all of $8). And I want to add automatic shutter release... that should be cheap/easy... I just have to figure out how to do it.

 

[niko]

Yeah, if I needed it for work I would probably have bought something pre-made...
This is similar to the StackShot extended rail system, except that mine has a longer/better rail and is more complete with lighting and a 4way stage. That product is over $600 and I'm at right around $200. I'm going to be adding a RS232 driver board so that I can use Helicon Remote/Focus with it (that will cost all of $8). And I want to add automatic shutter release... that should be cheap/easy... I just have to figure out how to do it.

good on you, i love the engineering behind this, most of it is way over my head mind you

 

[Canon Bob]

That looks excellent, Steven......very impressed. I worked through a theoretical excercise to design something similar a while back so I have a question.

Given that the camera/lens combination is going to be reasonably heavy when compared to the typical subject, why did you choose to put the camera on the stage rather than the lighter subject matter?

Bob

 

[sk66]

That looks excellent, Steven......very impressed. I worked through a theoretical excercise to design something similar a while back so I have a question.

Given that the camera/lens combination is going to be reasonably heavy when compared to the typical subject, why did you choose to put the camera on the stage rather than the lighter subject matter?

Bob

Two reasons... I got an XYZ stage separately for cheap. And vibrations... moving the subject on the end of a specimen pin is likely to cause it to vibrate.