Development of Waterproof gimbal

Abstract

A gimbal is a pivoting platform that allows an object, in this case a camera, to rotate around one or multiple axes. FlowMotion is a start-up company at NTNU and they are making gimbals for smartphones and action cameras. Their gimbal launched in November 2016 and shipping starts in April 2017.

There are many gimbals on the market today. In this thesis, a market survey has been done to establish existing gimbals and other contenders. FlowMotion is pursuing an even better product by making their gimbal waterproof. The thesis will focus on electronic gimbals and develop different concepts to make a waterproof gimbal. Two people with different background and different needs and requirements has been interviewed. The results from these interviews together with information from FlowMotion has been the source for the user demand specifications and product demand specifications.

Different concepts have been generated, these are evaluated against each other together with FlowMotion. From these evaluations one concept has been chosen and will be further developed. The chosen concept is the plain bearing concept, this is based on two low friction bearings sliding against each other outside the motor. The concept has gone through design iteration, material choice and testing. At the end a tangible prototype has been made, this shows both functions and appearance.