System Introduction video

Operating modes:
• A-B straight run
• A-B with acceleration controls (ramp/Ease)
• A-B-A Bounce mode
• Time-lapse mode with built in intervalometer and camera shutter control
• Six key sequencer allowing you to set up to six move positions
• Stop Motion functions
• PTZplus for Realtime control of up to 3 camera systems

Features:
• A choice of two WIFI controllers (compact or PTZplus)
• Duel or single action slide
• Hot swappable Sony NP style batteries
• Limit switch's for automatic setup at both ends of the rail
• Vertical lifting capability (up to 4KG using counter weights on lower carriage)
• Super silent stepper drivers provide smooth quiet
operation in micro stepping mode.
• Magnetic encoder allows hand positioning of the camera.
• Locking mechanism for ease of transportation.
• Compact mono rail with no belts in open space to snag.
• Flip out telescopic feet for speedy setup in single action slide mode
• OLED display for battery monitoring and PTZ status
• Can be built with a longer rail for non Duel action use

More than just another camera slider, this is just one component of the the Digital Bird camera motion control system offering a host of features typically only found on commercially manufactured units costing thousands of dollars. The complete system will consist of the slider , Pan Tilt head Focus motor, Digital Turntable and Mini Jib all wirelessly linked. Other than your 3D printed parts you will also require the appropriate component's kits available here:

Component Kits https://digital-bird-motion-control.myshopify.com
See it in action https://youtu.be/0aQ5hq3H00k
Slider Build Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efBSlnb0zCI
Software https://github.com/digitalbird01/DigitalBird-Camera-Slider
Pan Tilt Head: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4842363
Compact WIFI remote: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4853106
New PTZplus remote https://www.thingiverse.com/thing: 5329252
Focus Motor: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5156219
Vertical Support Base: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5360669

The kits are all plug and play no need to get involved in any soldering.

Watch the build video bellow

News Update: 13/01/23
Kits purchased after Jan 13th 2023 include an updated Main board which has additional OLED display and Limit switch sockets so no need for 'y' cables or the patch on the back of the board to read the battery levels.
News Update: 30/11/22
Battery bay end has been modified to allow for a second Limit switch. Previously the single limit switch at the motor end allowed for automatic homing but did not prevent crashes if the slider lost its way for some reason. Recent updates to the code help overcome such errors however the single limit switch only stops wayward moves in one direction. Hence the addition of a second limit switch at the battery end also.

An OLED display has been added to the Control box door for battery monitoring and PTZ status display. (Not my first choice of location for the OLED however space in the control box is an issue. Expect the location of this to change over time!)

An issue arose with one builder who built the slider with a 1000mm long rail. While the code can simply be modified to work with longer rails. There is a tendency with much longer rails to push the camera much faster up the rail when you are setting your key positions. The issue we discovered is that the AS5600 Encoder has a speed limit! If you manually push the camera very fast up the rail the encoder can lose position on the way. This issue becomes more apparent with longer rails since you have further to push the camera. There is no fix for this other than pushing the camera up the rail at a steadier pace! The latest software release now better handles errors if the slider loses position for any reason.

News Update: 28/04/22
New PTZ plus WIFI controller is here for those looking to control up to 3 camera systems in real time together with virtually unlimited programmed systems. (By Camera system I mean any combination of camera Slider Pan Tilt head combined as a system). Each system can store up to six poses which the system can move to at the touch of a button. PTZ cameras are controlled using two joysticks with acceleration control to ensure smooth filmic real-time moves. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing: 5329252

• The system now stores all of its key positions and recover them at power up. No more losing key points when the system is powered down.

• New Stop Motion function for basic stop Motion animation recording.

Disclaimer:
There are a lot of parts to this project which must all work together and a lot of room for error in making this happen. While I am more than happy to offer advice, this will be your build It all works for me! In terms of software this will continue to develop with some additional controls and features on the way however the project is still under development. There will undoubtedly be bugs in the system along the way which I will work hard to overcome given a little time and hopefully a little help from the community.

Keep a close eye on updates as things may still change as the system develops. Please ensure you have a fresh download before printing. This is an active project.