Motorised Turntable
2020-Mar-27, Friday 07:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chebeLast November, as part of #Makevember, I started on making a motorised turntable, following this Adafruit tutorial. I sourced the parts and put together the circuit quickly enough.
But I don't have a 3D Printer to make the case, so I enlisted the help of some friends.
Remove internal supports. Put the electronics into the 3D print. Fix broken connections.
Unfortunately it isn't all that simple. I had to hot-glue the motor to the base to improve stability. But still the connection from the base to the turning plate is small. I put some double-sided sticky foam tape into the spindle of the turning plate to connect more snugly with the motor. But it is not exactly steady. Items need to be balanced directly over the centre-point or it tilts over. Also, the weight of the turning plate means the motor needs to be tuned constantly. If the turning plate is jerked at all, say moving the turntable, or just placing/removing objects, is enough to require a retune. To do this you'll need a small right-angled screwdriver to get at the screw at the bottom of the motor inside the base.
But, if you treat it well, as a simple tool it works as desired.
Turntable electronics
Photo by chebe
But I don't have a 3D Printer to make the case, so I enlisted the help of some friends.
3D printed base and turning plate
Photo by chebe
Remove internal supports. Put the electronics into the 3D print. Fix broken connections.
Assemble
Photo by chebe
Electronics in base nice and snug
Photo by chebe
Unfortunately it isn't all that simple. I had to hot-glue the motor to the base to improve stability. But still the connection from the base to the turning plate is small. I put some double-sided sticky foam tape into the spindle of the turning plate to connect more snugly with the motor. But it is not exactly steady. Items need to be balanced directly over the centre-point or it tilts over. Also, the weight of the turning plate means the motor needs to be tuned constantly. If the turning plate is jerked at all, say moving the turntable, or just placing/removing objects, is enough to require a retune. To do this you'll need a small right-angled screwdriver to get at the screw at the bottom of the motor inside the base.
Motor tuning tool
Photo by chebe
But, if you treat it well, as a simple tool it works as desired.
Turntable being tested at Science Hack Day
Photo by chebe
