Prop balancer

 

 

Synopsis

Attempting build of a cheap (but still accurate)
prop balancer.

Project is completed

 

First test

First model only ment to have the balancer resting on top of the small shelves

First testing only showed that the center of gravity was offset due to the diameter of the tiny shaft, need to reduce friction and center balancing by using magnets
After some experimenting i settled for magnetic suspension, but before it could be tested i needed to sharpen the blunt ends

Second test

After some experimenting i settled for magnetic suspension, but before it could be tested i needed to sharpen the blunt ends

 

Magnet setup

Perfectly floating would be nice but I did not want to spend too much time on finding the "sweet spot".

Instead I went for spring loaded verison (pulling apart).

 

3D printed standof incl. magnets

The original models small shelves actually was perfect for a tiny addition that could be glued on.
2mm diameter neodymium magnet slots on a tiny tab.
The bottom flange is for better adhesion on the printer bed

First testing with only a 2x2mm magnet the shaft did not center properly, it wandered across the surface, but that was easily fixed by implementing a spherical magnet aka."bucky ball"

 

Youtube

Magnets to keep it in place and final testing ok.