instructables SLIDEE Non Motorized Automatic Camera Slider Instructions

: June 4, 2024
: instructables

Table of Contents

Instructables SLIDEE Non-Motorized Automatic Camera Slider
Slidee: Non-motorized Automatic Camera Slider
Step 2: Install Heat Inserts
Step 4: Prepare the Wheels
Step 6: Make Sure It Slides
Step 10: BTS & More
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Instructables SLIDEE Non-Motorized Automatic Camera Slider

instructables SLIDEE Non Motorized Automatic Camera Slider
product

Slidee: Non-motorized Automatic Camera Slider

Slidee is camera slider. Unlike many other devices, it’s not smart. It DDOOEESS NNOOTT have Bluetooth, an app, a motor, batteries, LED’s or wireless charging. It’s a simple camera slider and it slides.
Designing simple things is hard. I wanted to make a camera slider to get sliding shots of my projects but I didn’t want another smart device. I wanted something small and manual but with all the benets of a motorized product.
Slidee was born after more than 15 iterations and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Enjoy making Slidee and let me know if you like it!
Supplies:
Here are the supplies you’ll need to make slides:

Komelon touch lock measuring tape (I used this tape specialcally to build speed control in slidee, see step)
Ball head mount (Any generic one works)
POM Ball bearings
suction cups
M3 brass inserts
M3 screws 6mm
3d printer
Soldering Iron

Step 1: Print the Parts
I printed the parts in PLA. If you plan to use slidee outdoors, in summers, I would recommend using PETG or ABS if you can. The reason: PLA starts deforming at around 60C while PETG deforms around 80C and ABS remains ne until 100C. The inll I used is 25%. You don’t need a heavy inll on these parts.

You will need:
1x Slidee body
1x Bottom plate
4x T shaft
1x Tape clip
1x rotating disc

Step 2: Install Heat Inserts

Use a soldering iron to install the heat inserts in Slidee body. Be extra careful with the soldering iron if you are new to it. See this tutorial for installing brass inserts : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHJmGiUFYhk

instructables SLIDEE Non Motorized Automatic Camera Slider fig
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Step 3: Install the Measuring Tape and Tape Clip

Put the measuring tape in Slidee body as shown. It is important that the push lock (silver part) of the tape faces the bottom.
Pull the tape out of the body through the door notch and press t the tape clip as shown.

Step 4: Prepare the Wheels

Press the bearings on T shaft as shown. The shaft should be ushed with the bearing face or it won’t in slidee.
Press the shafts with wheels in the extrusions on 4 corners of slidee. The longer end of the shat should face the body.

Step 5: Install Bottom Plate and Rotating Disc
The special thing about the komelon measuring tape is that the silver disc behaves as a push lock. The harder you press the silver disc, slower the tape releases. Slidee uses this feature of the tape measure to enable speed control with the help of the rotating disc. If you tighten the rotating disc, it presses the silver lock of the tape and Slidee slides slowly. On
Slidee: Non-motorized Automatic Camera Slider: Page 9
the other hand if you loosen the rotating disc, the push lock of the measuring tape is disabled and slidee slides faster (better for heavier cameras). instructables SLIDEE Non Motorized Automatic Camera Slider fig
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Step 6: Make Sure It Slides

Slidee can slide in straight as well as curved paths to take curved sliding shots of smaller objects. Just turn the wheels (second picture) so they form an arc and slidee should now rotate in a curved path. instructables SLIDEE
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Slider fig 13

Step 7: Install the Ball Head

Use the same process for inserting the the brass inserts to ‘inset’ the 3/8″ screw connector that comes with the ball head.
Install the ball head over the screw connector.

Step 8: Optional: Install a Suction Cup
Optionally, you can install a suction cup in the bottom notch of the tape clip as shown in the image to make Slidee completely hands free. Just pull the tape, press the suction cup on at surface and let Slidee do it’s magic 🙂 instructables SLIDEE Non Motorized Automatic Camera Slider fig
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Step 9: You’re Done
Here’s a raw video that recorded using Slidee. Also, a GIF’s from the previous prototype instructables SLIDEE Non Motorized Automatic Camera Slider fig
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Motorized Automatic Camera Slider fig 18

Step 10: BTS & More

I followed a thorough design process of iteration, learning and upgrades to make Slidee. Sharing some images showing the process with the Instructables community!
I plan on building further iterations on Slidee and improve some glitches. Upgrades include:

Packaging that works as a track (As shown in image, already working on it)
Better motion control with the rotating disc.
Clear Slidee, coz it looks dope!! (SLA print shown in image)

Please follow the project and check this space for upgrades! instructables
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Slider fig 20 instructables SLIDEE
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