Pi zero W using spy camera for printer monitoring

thingiverse

<u>__**[UPDATED]**__</u> June 23, 2019 to include code to run the LED lights and a short video (figured out how to embed it!). I also outlined my final approach to implementing the webcam software portion of the project. This project incorporates the following to make for an extruder level monitoring webcam that stays with extruder, and not statically observe the plate. <iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/04y0zdrO2UU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> **A raspberry pi zero W with headers** https://www.adafruit.com/product/3708 **An adafruit spy camera with a 2" ribbon (for it's size and light weight)** https://www.adafruit.com/product/3508 **An Adafruit LED strip that directly plugs into the header, allowing for full RGB control and no need to accommodate voltage supply issues.** https://www.adafruit.com/product/3195 The design allows for adjustments of the camera on multiple axis', so you can aim it at whatever you choose, not just the print head. The design is specific to i3 plus printers that have relocated the cooling fan to another location (typically the back), and it also allows for the use of the **BLTouch probe** (which I have installed on mine). If you are using the BLTouch probe, this project is designed to accommodate this design **https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2976345** If you use Octoprint, I highly recommend installing the multiple cam plug-in and using the pi zero W running motion and set up as a webcam. I tried a number of ways to implement the webcam portion, and eventually used MotionEye (NOT MOTIONEYEOS) then used the URL to set up the multicam plug-in for Octoprint., **https://github.com/ccrisan/motioneye/wiki** I purposely did not use MotionEyeOs, because that turns the pi zero into a embedded firmware device, and precludes a more general OS. Doing so will prevent you from running code that turns on the LEDs and interact with Octoprint. **Multicam plug-in :** https://github.com/mikedmor/OctoPrint_MultiCam The plug-in for Octoprint can be installed directly from the application using the plug-in manager. You will need (besides the major components): **FOUR (4) M2.5 x 12 cap screws** and nuts for the circuit board. IF you feel adventurous, you could drill out the circuit board for larger M3 screws (there seems to be room), but you do so at your own risk. **ONE (1) M3 x 16 cap screw** and nut for the z-axis camera adjustment **ONE (1) M3 x 12 cap screw** and nut for the horizontal polar axis camera adjustment **TWO (2) M3 x 8 cap screws** and nuts if you are also using the **(not included)** BLTouch adjustable mount If you are not using the BLTouch mount, you will need a shorter M3 to secure it to the front bracket, likely M3 x 6 cap screws. you do not want longer screws, otherwuse you risk contact with the circuit board. There is a leave out on the board above the SoC for those that want to also use a heat sink on their chip. Also - you will need to use something like this (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2783239) to focus the camera, since it's preset for 50cm to infinity. Using the referenced tool, you can make a small adjustment (turn the lens counter-clockwise) no more than 170 degrees to lower the focal distance to be on the extruder head and print.