PTU-D46 User’s Manual (v2.14.0) INSTALLATION & INITIAL SETUP
page 7
3.5 Mounting Your Camera or Other Payload
Your camera or other load attaches to the top mounting plate on the Pan-Tilt Unit. A centered
hole and standard #1/4-20 bolt and nut is provided for simple mounting of cameras. Custom
mounting is easily performed by removing the four hex screws holding the mounting plate,
machining or drilling it to your requirements, and rescrewing the mounting plate back on the pan-
tilt unit. The load will not interfere with the unit range of motion when the load does not extend
below the base plate top.
Though the pan-tilt unit is rated to a maximum load of 4 lbs, the distribution of the load
clearly affects the actual load capable of being moved by the pan-tilt unit. The steps to determine
whether your load is within the maximum load capacity and dynamics are:
• Mount your load. Attempt to center the load’s center of mass close to the hole in the
mounting plate. Ensure that the load is securely attached to the mounting plate.
• First move the pan axis through its range to test whether the pan-tilt can handle the load
(e.g., enter “dr pp2700 a pp-2700 a pp0 ”). A load that is too heavy or moved too
quickly will cause the unit to lose synchrony, and this will be accompanied by an audible
“rrrr” sound from the pan-tilt unit motors.
• If your load passed the pan axis load test, you can then test the tilt axis load handling
capability. Because the tilt axis requires more power to move the load, it is more likely to
lose synchrony for excessive loads or load weight distributions. Move the tilt axis through
its range to test whether the pan-tilt can handle the load (e.g., enter “dr tp-900 a
tp600 a tp0 “). A load that is too heavy or moved too quickly will cause the unit to lose
synchrony, and this will be accompanied by an audible “rrrr” sound from the pan-tilt unit
motors.
• If your load fails the above pan or tilt axis load handling tests, contact Directed Perception
for further assistance.
• If your load passes the above pan and tilt axis load handling tests, you are ready to begin
controlling you load using the commands describe in Section 4.
• The initial pan-tilt unit parameters ensure the highest load movement torque that can be
generated from the pan-tilt unit. Significantly faster or lower power control can be obtained
via commands to the pan-tilt unit. The speed and acceleration of a mechanical system
depends upon the inertial properties of your load. The ability of the pan-tilt unit to
successfully move your load without losing synchrony depends upon the inertial load
factors and their relationship to power supply voltage, unit speed, acceleration, position,
motor torque, etc. Section 5 discusses how to configure pan-tilt parameters to achieve more
optimal pan-tilt unit performance for your load.
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