Custom toolhead camera for Bambu Lab A1 Mini

[sgbaird]

@Neil-YL thoughts on mounting the camera to the toolhead similar to what's shown in makerworld as a "nozzle cam"?

Option 1

Option 2
Similar version

Option 3
Another one

In our case, we'd want to image the print directly above, and we'd move the toolhead to get the camera in the right place.

This is the kind of tripod camera mount we've typically been using: https://www.pishop.ca/product/pro-mini-camera-mount-for-raspberry-pi-zero/ (image below). However, the plate that the camera is attached to is "wiggly" relative to the plate the Pi Zero 2W is attached to.

I lean slightly towards the Option 1 style (use a flexure clamping mechanism onto the toolhead). I'd be OK with replacing the cover (seems more mechanically stable and EDIT: it's a pinch-and-remove mechanism). I lean towards reusing the same hardware (nuts/bolts) that come with the "Pro Mini Camera Mount".

Related:

• https://ca.store.bambulab.com/products/print-head-front-cover-a1-series (EDIT: the print cover seems to be removeable without hardware)

So, how about designing a new front cover that simply has a single 3d printed threads jutting out to be attached with the regular tripod nut? Or this could be the arm extension.

[sgbaird]

[sgbaird]

[Neil-YL]

You work so quickly!

I’ll test this part tomorrow. I am also thinking we can replace one of the AMS feeding tubes with the cable for the camera.

[sgbaird]

We'll see if it turns out 😅 thanks!

For provenance, link to Fusion 360 file: https://a360.co/4jq5PUd

Re: feeding tubes, good point - though maybe instead of replacing it, we use reusable zip ties to fasten it? (I have a bunch of these in my office)

[Neil-YL]

The finishing of Carbon Fibre material is quite coarse, I will print a PLA to see if it is better.

[Neil-YL]

For provenance, link to Fusion 360 file: https://a360.co/4jq5PUd

Nice you've attached the file, I don't know why but the project file saved on Bambu doesn't allow me to change the material

[Neil-YL]

I will dismount the camera next to the robotic arm and to see how it fits to the nozzle cover

[Neil-YL]

IMG_1650.MOV

I mounted the pico camera to the nozzle cover. I have tried to raise the temperature of the nozzle to 240 and the cover is still room temperature so I think PLA would be fine.

Do you want me to start the streaming for the next square patterns printing?

[sgbaird]

Awesome! This looks great. I have a bunch of reusable zip ties in the closet cupboard in my office. Could you grab some and work on getting the power cord attached with the rest of the tubing in the way that allows free movement? Lmk if we need a longer power cable and what length.

Really glad you looked into the temperature. Last night when I was telling my spouse about it, she brought that up, and I realized I missed that key detail 😅 thanks for checking that one.

Don't worry about streaming for now. I'll ping @Jonathan-Woo about getting the camera set up.

[Neil-YL]

Really glad you looked into the temperature. Last night when I was telling my spouse about it, she brought that up, and I realized I missed that key detail 😅 thanks for checking that one.

I thought you chose to print it with CF so it would have a higher temperature resistance. I switched to PLA so I think it is necessary to check. I also know that thermal management failure is quite an issue for many cameras in the market but at lease in our case the nozzle would not bring up the temperature crazily.

I will look into the cabling this afternoon. Since the OT-2 is occupied by the borrowing event test for this afternoon, I would like to have some jobs done on it now.

[Neil-YL]

btw I also fix the wiggling issue by filling the gap (with our printed 0.1mm thick square) between the camera mount and the pico.

[sgbaird]

Oh, nice! Can you share an image?

[Neil-YL]

The printer is printing I would take one after it finishes.

Here’s a video for you to check out first, looks quite stable during the print job

IMG_1651.MOV

[sgbaird]

Awesome! I guess another question: what's our new usable area on the build plate? I'm not sure how far "back" the gantry can go (i.e., if all corners of the build plate are accessible). Even if we lose about 20% of the build plate, I don't think it's a big issue, but we'll just need to keep that in mind for the workflow.