A
B
C
D
A USB Camera
B Laser emitter
C Turntable
D Stepper motor driver
or microcontroller
E Stepper motor and
10: 1 gearbox
E
MATERIALS
PC running Linux or Windows
USB A-to-A cable
Aluminum project enclosure, 160mm×103mm×43mm
Maplin Electronics part #1455N1601, maplin.co.uk
12V 2A power supply
Packing washers (optional) for spacers
FOR THE CHASSIS:
Aluminum sheets, 333mm×250mm×3mm ( 2)
Try Technobots in the U.K. ( technobots.co.uk).
Rigid sheet plastic may suffice, but I find metal
easier to work with and more durable, and it can
be finished with conventional spray paints.
Spray mount adhesive or glue stick
Rear panel USB double socket
22mm copper pipe, 65mm lengths ( 4) Smaller or
larger diameters will also work.
Plastic ball casters ( 6) Technobots part #4262-100
M3×25mm bolts with nuts ( 9)
M4×75mm bolts with nuts ( 4) Threaded bar also works.
Photographic gimbal head
2.5mm DC socket, inline mounting
¼" mono jack sockets, panel mounting ( 6)
Red and black hookup wire, about 1m each 20 gauge
or so (12V at 2A)
1N4001 diode (optional) or similar power diode
FOR THE TURNTABLE:
3mm sheet aluminum, 150mm×150mm
Epoxy or 3mm bolts with nuts
Sticky-backed foam sheet, or matte finish paint
(optional)
Illustration by James Provost
FOR THE GEARBOX:
Bipolar stepper driver/motor combo Milford
Instruments part #5-595, ppmilinst.redcetera.com.
You can also use an Arduino microcontroller with a
suitable motor shield, from makershed.com; future
versions of this project will probably use Arduino.
Plastic worm drive Technobots part #4600-030
Nylon gear with brass hub, 10-tooth, 4mm bore
Technobots part #4600-131
Silver steel shaft, 4mm×333mm Technobots
part #4426-004
Miniature flange ball bearing, 4mm bore, 8mm OD,
3mm width Technobots part #4255-162
FOR LASER EMITTERS:
LM317 voltage regulator ICs ( 2)
Resistors: 240Ω ( 2), 620Ω ( 2) I used these with the
LM317 to get 4.5V; your resistor values will depend
on your laser’s voltage needs. The calculator at
reuk.co.uk/LM317-Voltage-Calculator.htm is handy.
Aim low on the voltage, since lasers can be quite
fussy about maximum voltage.
Neutrik ¼" cast phono plugs ( 2)
½" copper pipe, about 6" lengths ( 2)
Laser line generators ( 2) I found 5m W, 5V infrared
line laser modules cheap on eBay.
½" plumbing end caps ( 2)
Hot glue and/or setscrews
TOOLS
Hacksaw or band saw to cut aluminum sheet
and copper pipe
Epoxy
Drill press or hand drill and drill bits
Screwdrivers
Allen (hex) wrenches
Soldering iron and solder
Electrical tape
55 Make:
