Abstract
There has always been a cool factor when a remote controlled camera rig takes to the sky. About five years ago, when the boom of smart phones hit, the electronics world became flooded with miniature accelerometers and gyros. A flux of younger RC pilots started to build high tech camera rigs, utilizing the computer programming they had previously learned. Older pilots were not familiar with this new technology, yet they sought out a simple design that they could maintain with the electronics they had grown accustomed to. This project focused on the aspects of cost, manufacturing options, electronics and materials that pilots were familiar with to produce a gyroscopic stabilized camera rig with universal mounting options between different helicopter brands and models. Two preliminary designs were constructed; one based on current market designs and the other utilizing extruded beams. Using SolidWorks, a computer aided drafting (CAD) model of both designs was constructed and analyzed using Working Model 2D, COSMOS and Excel. It was determined, per the design requirements, that the utilization of a beam structure would be the most practical design for pilots to build in their garage as well as maintain. The deployment of three manufactured gearboxes from ServoCity.com, three RC servos, three heading hold gyros and an RC radio system would accomplish a camera platform capable of 360-degree rotation. Further testing on the angular acceleration of a servo would indirectly provide the maximum allowable camera size to be used.