#+TITLE: Gyroscope stabilizer for binoculars
#+AUTHOR: Svjatoslav Agejenko
#+LANGUAGE: en
#+MACRO: imglnk @@html:<br/><a href="$1"><img style="width:100%; max-width:500px;" src="$2"></a>@@

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* General
+ DISCLAIMER: I DO ELECTRONICS AND 3D DESIGN SOLELY AS A HOBBY. THERE
  COULD BE ERRORS THAT CAN RESULT IN ALL KINDS OF DAMAGE. USE THESE
  DESIGNS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

+ This design is released under Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license.

+ Author:
  - Svjatoslav Agejenko
  - Homepage: https://svjatoslav.eu
  - Email: [[mailto://svjatoslav@svjatoslav.eu][svjatoslav@svjatoslav.eu]]

+ See also:
  - [[../../index.html][Other physical projects in this repository]]
  - [[https://www.svjatoslav.eu/projects/][Other projects hosted at svjatoslav.eu]]

* Project description
[[file:make.png]]

Problem with powerful binoculars is that they are almost unusable
without tripod. High zoom factor also amplifies hand shakes.

Tripod is not convenient to carry around. Here is an attempt to design
portable gyro stabilizer that has camera tripod interface. Therefore
cameras and binoculars can be mounted.


[[file:make,%202.png]]


Old computer hard disk platters are used as rotating discs. They are
attached to following disk mount:

[[file:disk%20mount%20body.png]]

Download:
- [[file:disk%20mount.FCStd][Editable FreeCAD project]]
- [[file:disk%20mount%20body.stl][Printable STL file]]

Disk platters are fixed to disk mount using glued tightly fitting top
ring:

[[file:disk%20mount%20top%20ring.png]]

Download:
- [[file:disk%20mount%20top%20ring.stl][Printable STL file]]

Discs are rotated by electric motor. Motor is cooled by electric fan.
Motor and fan are powered by 12V that is generated by 3 voltage upstep
converters running in parallel.

[[file:schematic.png]]

Body:
[[file:make,%201.png]]

FreeCAD model of the main body:

[[file:main%20body,%201.png]]

[[file:main%20body,%202.png]]

Download:
- [[file:body.FCStd][Editable FreeCAD file]]
- [[file:main%20body.stl][Printable STL file]]

Rotating discs are covered and protected by top cover:

[[file:top%20cover.png]]

Bottom part of the main body has cover:

[[file:bottom%20cover.png]]

Download:
- [[file:bottom%20cover.stl][Printable STL file]]

Camera/binoculars can be mounted on dedicated holder that is screwed
on top of the cover:

[[file:binocular%20mount.png]]

Download:
- [[file:binocular%20mount.stl][Printable STL file]]


Result:

[[file:make,%203.png]]

[[file:make,%204.png]]

* Conclusion
Around half of the stabilizing effect already comes from extra weight
that is added to binoculars by device itself. Rotating platters
contribute also about as much. I had only 2 platters. I'm
contemplating finding more weight to rotate, or even try with old
CD/DVD disks.

Unfortunately symmetry is not perfect and small high frequency
vibration is added because of that.