EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Products => Thermal Imaging => Topic started by: Kontrollturm on January 16, 2020, 07:34:38 pm

Title: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Kontrollturm on January 16, 2020, 07:34:38 pm
Hey,

does anyone know what kind of thread is underneath the Flir Exe devices? The adapter is above average expensive and I would manufacture my own one.

Best Regards
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 16, 2020, 08:20:34 pm
Hi,

I commented previously on the cost of the Exx adapter. It is an overpriced piece of relatively flimsy plastic. For the asking price I expect Aluminium ! I bought one but only because I did not have the time to make something suitable at the time. Another forum member has designed a far better design that may be 3D printed.

From memory, FLIR decided to use an M5 thread on the tripod mount adapter socket on the camera. It is not the commonly used 1/4” 20tpi thread of a threaded tripod socket.

I will add a link to the previous discussion when I find it.

Fraser
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Vipitis on January 16, 2020, 08:23:39 pm
further down in this thread

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/fraser-has-bought-his-new-favourite-daily-use-camera-the-flir-exx-love-it/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/fraser-has-bought-his-new-favourite-daily-use-camera-the-flir-exx-love-it/)

Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 16, 2020, 08:24:24 pm
This is the thread you should read. At the end a fellow forum member provides the STL file to print a nice sturdy tripod adapter for ten Exx series.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/fraser-has-bought-his-new-favourite-daily-use-camera-the-flir-exx-love-it/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/fraser-has-bought-his-new-favourite-daily-use-camera-the-flir-exx-love-it/)

Fraser
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 16, 2020, 08:24:55 pm
Vipitis.... you beat me to it  ;D
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: alex871 on January 16, 2020, 09:36:19 pm
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:188312 (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:188312)

The portal it is very slowly, try tomorrow
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Kontrollturm on January 17, 2020, 05:05:58 pm
Thank you :)

So i will try to get my own 1/4" to M5 adapter.
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 17, 2020, 05:14:53 pm
The cameras M5 mounting and area around it make a poor mounting point as it is very close to the cameras trigger. A straight rod with M5 thread at the top will work but is not ideal.

An offset plate with a loose mounted (clearance hole) M5 bolt at one end and a standard tripod 1/4” 20tpi threaded hole at the other may work better for you ? Without the side ‘wings’ on the tripod adapter you may have problems with the camera twisting on the single M5 fixing.

Fraser
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 19, 2020, 10:53:03 pm
I did a draft 3D print of the PAW85 tripod adapter this evening. I used a 20% fill in ABS plastic to see how robust and stiff it was.
The result was excellent and very stiff. This is a very nice tripod adapter that Exx owners should find very useful. I already had the required tripod thread adapters, socket head M5 screw, Velcro strap and thin foam padding tape so had no additional hardware to buy.

Printed draft parts pictured. I will print a final version in Black ABS and may keep the 20% fill rate if test on the draft part prove it to be strong enough. I took pictures with and without camera flash and will include both here.

Fraser
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 19, 2020, 10:54:14 pm
No flash pictures
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Kontrollturm on January 20, 2020, 07:51:59 pm
Looks great.  ;)
Since I am not familiar with 3D printing, do printer service understand me, if I ask for 20% ABS in Black?
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 21, 2020, 01:25:27 pm
Hi,

Yes you can specify the ‘fill’ percentage. The fill percentage dictates the dimensions of the lattice structure inside the parts outer shell so directly influences the parts strength and rigidity. The higher the fill percentage the stronger the part but it takes longer to print and uses more plastic filament. As such, higher fill percentage means higher cost. The 20% fill that I used for this draft print appears very robust as it is a cross lattice structure inside with 2mm outer wall thickness. I use ABS plastic as I can sand it smooth and paint it if desired. Others have used PLA filament to make this part and seem happy with the results. There may be less choice of people to print in ABS as it is a more demanding material to print well and many 3D printers do not cope with its needs to avoid problems during a print. PLA is likely your best option for cost and print quality. As to colour, most 3D print providers give you a choice of colour so just pick the colour you want the bracket to be.

Regards

Fraser
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Kontrollturm on January 27, 2020, 11:03:16 am
Sorry, but I am to stupid to find the files you used for printing. Can you give me a hint?
Title: Re: Tripod Adapter / thread Flir Exx
Post by: Fraser on January 27, 2020, 11:12:47 am
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2822096 (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2822096)

Just hit the download files button to get the files. The file you need for printing is a .stl file.
Note that there are two .stl files...... one for the bracket and one for the M5 screw tightening knob.

Fraser