Rotomax
radical rotating video
The Rotomax is a tool for filmmakers, photographers, scientists, and artists. It is programmable and well suited for time lapse photography and high-definition documentation of objects and people. The stand gives fine-grained control over rotation speed, and it can revolve as slowly as once per twelve hours. The Rotomax can also control the shutter release frequency on the camera as it revolves.
The Rotomax was created over the course of a month at the Monkey Wrench Design Shop. The device is really just an ultra heavy duty, computer-controlled turn table with an arm attached to it. However, the length of the arm and the creation of ultra slow rotation required a bit of engineering. To create the needed strength and stiffness to support the arm the Rotomax was CNC machined from aluminum plate. A worm gear reduction and large chain reduction were created to facilitate really slow motion.
Custom electronics were created to control the Rotomax and the Rotomax’s imaging device payload. A closed loop microcontroller-driven PID servo controller was designed, coded and tested. Subsequently, a printed circuit board was design to ruggedize the Rotomax’s electronics. Currently, the Rotomax lives in San Francisco with collaborator Andreas Braendhaugen and is used regularly to create engaging video content from large series of still images.
Here's an example of what the rotomax + a skilled operator artist team can create
