Arduino insect turntable
3-axis Arduino turntable for insect macro photography and photogrammetry
A 3D-printed, Arduino-driven spinner for photographing small insects. Three stepper motors turn the base plate, tilt the arm and spin the small specimen disc, so every angle can be shot the same way. Drag the model to rotate it, scroll or pinch to zoom.
Gallery
Print it
| Material | PETG (PLA works for a first build) |
|---|---|
| Print time | ≈ 24 h for the full set |
| Layer height | 0.2 mm |
| Walls / infill | 3 perimeters, 20 % infill |
| Nozzle / bed | 235–245 °C / 75–85 °C for PETG |
| Supports | Only where your slicer asks; print plates and covers flat |
| Files | 11 STL files plus the FreeCAD master file |
These are our recommended settings; the download pages list the files but no fixed profile.
What is in the download
Case and case cover hold the electronics. Motor 1 sits in the round end under its mount and cover and turns the spin circle (round or trimmed). Motor 2 sits in the mount on the spin circle and tilts the arm. Motor 3 sits in the arm, closed by its cover, and turns the small specimen disc.
Edit it
The FreeCAD master file (insect_ant_spinner_master.fcstd) has every body, so you can change the plate size or the mounts for your own camera setup.
Want one ready-made?
We can print the parts, or print and assemble the whole spinner. Message us for price and delivery, or send a quote request.
Electronics & build
- Arduino Nano
- Arduino CNC shield V4.0
- 28BYJ-48 stepper motors, converted from 5-wire to 4-wire
- DRV8825 stepper drivers
- Print the partsCase, case cover, motor 1 mount and cover, spin circle, motor 2 mount and cover, motor 3 mount and cover, and the specimen disc.
- Convert the steppersThe 28BYJ-48 is sold as a 5-wire unipolar motor. Convert all three to 4-wire bipolar so the DRV8825 drivers can run them.
- Fit the electronicsPlug the Arduino Nano and three DRV8825 drivers into the CNC shield V4.0, set each driver’s current limit for the small motors, and screw the shield into the case. The Nano’s USB port lines up with the side opening.
- Motor 1 and the spin circleFix motor 1 in its mount in the round end of the case, close it with the motor 1 cover and the case cover, then press the spin circle onto the shaft.
- Motors 2 and 3Put motor 2 in its mount on the spin circle and close it with the cover. Fit motor 3 into the arm, close it from below, mount the arm on motor 2’s shaft and fit the specimen disc on top.
- Route the cables and testWrap the motor 2 and 3 cables in spiral wrap, leave a loop so the arm can tilt, and feed them into the case through the side hole. Upload your stepper sketch and check all three axes.
The motors, electronics and cables in the 3D model and renders are drawn for illustration; they are bought parts, not in the download. Build and use it at your own risk. PrintYourFix is not responsible for damage.
Credits
“Turntable Insect Ant Spinner” by PrintYourFix, licensed CC BY-SA. See the Thingiverse listing.