AIRflex by themindseye

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

AIRflex
THIS IS NOT A CAMERA.
This is a custom mount for holding the OLYMPUS AIR AO1 Micro Four Thirds camera system and an Apple iPod touch. Furthermore, this 3D assembly is proportioned for enabling the OLYMPUS AIR to be used with a Fotodiox Nikon-to-m4/3 adapter and 35mm glass Nikon legacy lenses.
The OLYMPUS AIR is an open platform camera (OPC) project that enables users to program custom software and design custom enclosures for this camera. You can learn more about the OLYMPUS OPC initiative here:
opc.olympus-imaging.com/en/
Incidentally, the OPC Web site contains several printable 3D STL files that support the OLYMPUS AIR. Some of these files, however, may also be of interest to camera builders.
Random Thoughts
You will need to print one copy of each file except for the camera strap holder file (print 6) and the side file (print 2). Each of the strap holders are attached with a single M2 fastener and nut. Be sure to thread the strap through the holder prior to securing the fastener and nut to the main AIRflex body.
NOTE: You can use two of the strap holders (along the right edge) as stops for ensuring that the iPod touch doesn't accidentally slide out of the viewfinder.
Assembly of the body's four sides (front, back, and 2-sides) is accomplished with mounting pads and posts. The pads of each side are mated together with the mounting pads/posts that are along the edges of the bottom. Depending upon how many sides you wish to glue together will dictate whether or not you need to cut a slot into the mounting hole on the two side panels.
For example, you may elect to exclude the front-face side of the AIRflex body. Why? If you are using this mount with some Micro Four Thirds lenses, they are too small to extend beyond the front face. Therefore, only the back side and one side panel can be used.
Alternatively, if you wish to build the AIRflex as it is shown here, then a small slot needs to be cut into the mounting pad of each side panel--for lengthening or extended the mounting post opening. Then the OLYMPUS AIR can be used with the appropriate Fotodiox adapters for either legacy Nikon or Leica lenses (these are the only adapters I have tested with this project).
There are four retaining tabs around the inside perimeter of the mounting ring that is located on the inside of the backplane. In order to make a solid connection to the OLYMPUS AIR body, the inside of the these tabs might require a "slight" trimming with a sharp knife. When these tabs have been properly trimmed, the camera can be smoothly twisted and locked into place.
For assembly, I used Testors Cement for Plastic Models No. 3512. It's a viscous fluid that works great and dries within 2 hours following application.
Finally, why pink? As acknowledgment of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the AIRflex was printed in Magenta PLA with a Silver PLA accent band.