Motorized rocker for tray developing
I started shooting X-ray film and developing the negatives in trays got old pretty fast so I've been working on a motorized rocker to make it all a bit easier
Made from some wood sheets, some 3d printed parts and a windshield wiper motor.
I have not tried it yep so we will have to see if it works alright, maybe it's not enuff of a rocking motion.
Here are som pics
http://i.imgur.com/Cd0et0d.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e9Dipd6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5g4ha2T.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/fWFqIhN.gif
And a short video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CnXKMi1Lb8
I can upload the 3d files if someone else would be interested of making their own.
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
this is awesome! I might place the tray on a slight diagonal to get more randomness, or add a little eccentricity to the cam.
I think the concept is sound and your implementation is relatively frugal and elegant, nice work!
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
If it doesn't work out, then use it as a platform for a kitty litter box. If you hate cats.
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
Thank you.
I was planning on rotating the tray some during devloping to add some randomness
This is how the cam looks now and any suggestions on improvements is highly appreciated
http://i.imgur.com/Gq5jB4G.jpg
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
I'd be tempted to slow the motor to about half the speed; it looks as if the fluid is mainly moving in place rather than moving across in bulk.
Neil
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
I do have a speed controller which I intend to use to set whatever speed I want
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
I have a couple motor driven drum spinners. Randomness is assured by having one eccentric wheel, the other a uniform dimension. If this hint does not help I will try to find time to draw it up.
...and thanks for putting up with my earlier wise-crack.
.
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
It needs to run slow enough that it isn't near resonance. You could cut you rocker speed in half by using a circular wheel and offset the center of rotation.
What's your motor? Is that a car window motor?
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
When I was at RIT in the 1970s, remember seeing several random agitation rigs.
From what I remember:
They held up to 3 16x20 trays.
They used 2 rotating oval cogs at 90 degrees to each other and placed at opposite ends (right and left)
The rocking motion was way slower that you'd expect, and way less than you'd expect.
"Board" under the trays was either Plexiglass or gray PVC.
Wish I had taken a picture of the rigs....
Re: Motorized rocker for tray developing
Thanks for all the feedback
I am going to try it with a more square wheel to give some more time at the end of the rocking motion.
This combined with a offset center might be the way to go?
http://i.imgur.com/D1EmgyG.jpg
If you have any other ideas please share an I will try and test them.