Smallest possible Raspberry Pi camera mount for Anet A8 (AM8) by Klimpen717

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

Intent
I was looking for a camera mount that attached to the bed of my Anet A8 but all I found was either bulky or just bad looking.
So here is the smallest possible and nice looking mount that I came up with.
It's absolutely small but if it's nice looking is up to you to decide.
I included the actual camera in the mounting process. It's a part of the mount of sort.
Since I'm not actually covering the camera 'inside' the mount but rather let is be a part of it I can keep the size even smaller. There is only a .5 mm clearence on the inside to a few of the components on the camera board.
Obstacles
Because I wanted the construction to be as small as possible and also make the camera a part of the mounting I had
to make the walls very thin. Make sure you adjust your slicer to handle this.
Also take note when you mount it, that at least one component on the board touches the side wall ever so slightly.
Parts List
Bed triangle.stl
Lower arm link.stl
Upper arm link.stl
Pi Back Cover.stl
Pi Front cover.stl
Required Hardware
Small camera mount craves small hardware...
4 x M2x12 mm screws (case around camera)
4 x M2 nuts (case around camera)
3 x M3x16 mm screws (arms)
3 x M3 nuts (arms)
2 x M4x12 mm screws (mount to bed)
2 x M4 nuts (mount to bed)
Assembly
Putting this together won't be a problem for you.
First of you have this to look at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDPupf1ro4M
You also need a 2, 3 and 4 mm drill bit to clean out the holes unless your printer prints perfect holes.
Drill out the holes carefully. I used my fingers for the 2 mm holes on the case.
Use the Bed Triangle part to mark the two holes to drill in the bed "H" on your printer and drill the holes with 4 mm.
Pre-assemble the whole thing before mounting it to the bed and tighten the nuts carefully so you can still move the arms and adjust everything.
The Bed Triangle has a slot for the ribbon cable to pass through so remember to put the cable though there.
Footnote
I have realised that this can be used for other mounting purposes than the particular printer.
One would just need another base so I have done what I think more people should do.
I have included the whole Fusion 360 file so you can either change or use parts of the construction as you please.
Please please let me know if you come up with a re-make of my creation.
I would also consider making other bases for it if you need one, please ask!