Note - Click on photos, then again, for larger image
It looks 'pretty' but as to 'functional', that is a different story. I chose this screw drive style because I liked the 'look' ... kind of retro, industrial age. For stop motion it has a somewhat minimal presence on the table top animation stage, so that the rig would perhaps be easier to digitally erase in post production. My other objective was to construct this with only common hardware parts. NO precision machining. I only used drill press & a power hack saw to cut the metal and lots of hand filing & belt sander. Yes, there are different designs in fabricating screw drive mechanisms
such as using aluminum extrusion channels that does not require guiding
rods but as I said ... I gravitated to this aesthetic design of ol' school.
I knew, when I almost finished the unit, there were going to be some issues. I made the wrong choice of using only ONE guide rod ... this unfortunately allows some 'slop' in the movement. Usually there are two guiding rods, with the screw drive in the Middle. I thought I could get away with only one guiding slide rod which also would reduce the weight. Also, I used Home Depot cold roll steel rods which are not
precision sized, which was a another contributor to the wobbly movement
issue.
Only 2.3 pounds which is about 1 kilogram
The weakest component is the Middle Block for the X axis horizontal movement. When the X movement reaches its maximum linear extension, there is more leverage and instability on the ends and the entire 'arm' rests on the narrow center block. These blocks are the important component and I need to redesign with a 'wider' center block and most importantly, use double guide rods made of machinist grade precision sized steel rods.
Adjusting brass screws to increase tension on the guiding rod. With this narrow block design, it appears not enough support to rod causing wobble and also, the rod was not precision sized. Too much work to keep tensioning the rods for almost every animated frame.
All parts from hardware store ... NOTHING was 'Custom Machined'
Even though the design has a somewhat 'spindly look', the angle iron base supported
the unit, where it was surprisingly in perfect balance and it did not
tip over. Of course, for stop motion use, you would mount the base to some
barbell weights or a big clamping vise.
Above was a quick test. I set-up a mirror to the side so I can see the wobble. The X horizontal axis movement was poor & shaky, however the Y vertical axis movement was reasonably 'steady'.
BONUS - Other Options
Of course you can just forget about all this and purchase yourself those coveted 😛 custom made stop motion winders ... because they are custom machined in limited quantities, they can be expensive for these small units. However, size compactness of stop motion winders, is perhaps a plus factor.
Also, I already know that you can purchase ready made screw drive mechanisms. Some are made for 3D printer units LINK My first issue is, that they are fat & bulky, and you have to figure out how to mount 2 units together. Also there are heavier duty screw drive units that are precision, however they are even more fatter and bulkier LINK. I do not like how much 'animation stage space' it uses and also, possibly more effort to digitally erase these bulky rigs. Then there is the other alternative of 3D printed winders LINK. I do NOT need, or do not want to purchase a 3D printer! What is the performance & wear factor of 3D printed plastic (and gear parts) such as supporting & moving heavier puppets & objects? I prefer steel and/or aluminum, for strength. If you really want to go cheap with puppet support rigs look at this video LINK The idea is good but the rig set-up is bulky ... also this YouTuber is attempting to be 'funny' (he is not).
As far as I know, there is only one specialty stop motion supplier/company that offers a screw drive style X-Y Stop Motion rig LINK. It appears to be a good design, mostly of 3D printed parts and it has a Steam Punk appearance. I do not know the quality of the 3D printed parts. The range of movement might be less, however, perhaps okay for small puppets. Again to me, it is a bulkier design when you compare it to my Jack Skellington-esque'Thinner Style' Design 😁
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