What will it do?
It is a case that will protect an all-sky camera. These cameras film the night sky to detect the passage of bolides or meteors. Three cameras are needed, spaced approximately 100 km apart, to triangulate the position of the object.
There are several projects that use all-sky cameras; these are networks of cameras dedicated to the search for certain objects. Here is some information about some of them:
The case we designed will protect the camera and its accompanying electronics from the weather. Additionally, it will shield the camera's optical system from sunlight during the day, thus prolonging the camera's useful life and the quality of the images.
What will it do?
related links
There are many designs of cases to protect cameras from the weather, such as:
- https://www.allskycams.com/
- https://www.allskyoptics.com/store/product/allsky-camera-casing-full-build
- https://www.printables.com/es/model/828727-allsky-camera-enclosure-modular
- https://connected-environments.org/blog/allsky/
All of them feature a transparent dome that shields the camera from the elements. However, there is a problem that mainly affects locations between the tropics: the intense sunlight in these latitudes significantly impacts the camera, especially during times when it is highly unlikely to capture these objects. Our design proposes a solution to this problem.
What will you design?
I plan to design a case that protects the camera and the lens with a transparent dome during the night when the camera is active, and a second robotized opaque dome that closes during the day when the camera is inactive to protect it from sunlight. Of course, this dome will open at night so the camera can operate.
Packaging?
The case will be composed of several elements and different materials such as:
- The camera base and the robotized dome will be 3D printed.
- The transparent dome will be made of thermoformed acrylic.
- The box that will contain the electronics and the servo will have a 3D printed base and top cover, with laser-cut acrylic side panels.
Electronics
The electronics will be composed of two boards:
- The control board: This board will have the microcontroller, in our case a XIAO 2040, an energy regulator, and ports to receive data from the sensor and another terminal to control the servo motor that operates the dome.
- The photo board: This electronic board will contain the phototransistor. This board will be exposed to the elements, so it will have a special coating made with 3D printing and transparent epoxy resin.
How much will they cost?
| Name | Package | Qty | Supply | Price unit ($) | Price total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D printer filament | ABS | 1 | 3DMbarete | 21.3 | 21.3 |
| Transparent acrylic | 2 mm | 0.05 | Luxacril | 67 | 3.3 |
| Colored acrylic | 2.3 mm | 0.16 | Luxacril | 72 | 11.5 |
| Board PCB | Placa pcb una cara | 1 | Electromer | 5 | 5 |
| Connector 1x3 | PINHD-1X3/90 | 3 | Digikey | 0.3 | 0.9 |
| Connector 1x2 | PINHD-1X2/90 | 1 | Digikey | 0.86 | 0.86 |
| Voltage regulator | VR_REGULATOR_SOT223 | 1 | Amazon | 0.12 | 0.12 |
| 1 microfarad capacitor | CAP_UNPOLARIZED | 2 | Digikey | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| Microcontroller | XIAO RP2040 | 1 | Amazon | 15.68 | 15.68 |
| Resistor | 1K ohm | 2 | Digikey | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Led blue | led blue clear 1206 rev mt smd | 1 | Digikey | 0.17 | 0.17 |
| Servomotor | HK15138 | 1 | hobbyking | 3.96 | 3.96 |
| Photoresistor | SENSOR PHOTO 940NM TOP VIEW 1206 PT15-21C/TR8 | 1 | Digikey | 0.41 | 0.41 |
| Battery | 9v | 2 | Todoluz | 0.5 | 1 |
| Battery holder | 9v | 2 | Amazon | 0.5 | 1 |
This gives us a total cost of: 67 usd.
What parts and systems will be made?
- Camera case: Will be made with 3D printing
- Transparent dome: Will be made with thermoformed acrylic
- Robotized dome
- The box containing the electronics, the power system, and the servo: 3D printing and laser-cut acrylic
- The software control
- Control board
- The board with the photosensor, which has a 3D-printed support, is also submerged in transparent epoxy resin to allow light to pass through while protecting it from the weather.
What's working? what's not?
The mechanism is working, but I have problems with the light sensor. It greatly depends on the type of light it is exposed to
What questions need to be resolved?
The sensitivity of the sensor to activate the opening or closing of the dome
What have you learned?
Basically everything:
- Use of 3D printing
- Use of CNC
- Electronics
- Thermoforming