How to Rotate Screen?

[Demon-Seed]

Its been awhile since I attempted a build...but I soon will make another cabinet! I am looking at doing a rotating screen, however I had many questions. I have read a few posts where guys made rotating screens with motors, however to be blunt, I am slow, and could not exactly figure out how they did it....

I was wondering if there was a kit, a parts list, a how too, a walkthrough, a tutorial for dummies (ok you get the picture) on how I could do this?

Since a monitor is rectangle, how do they get the bezel to spin too?

What options are available to make the screen rotate? I would prefer the easiest method of course

Whats the cost? is it cheaper to make a vertical only cabinet? space is an issue in my home.. so the idea sounds cool.

With mame, can it auto rotate the screen when a player selects a vertical game? or would I have to press a key?

Thanks
Jim

[chopperthedog]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108897.0.html

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,108836.0.html



good day.

[TopJimmyCooks]

I got your pm, replying here. 

I was wondering if there was a kit, a parts list, a how too, a walkthrough, a tutorial for dummies (ok you get the picture) on how I could do this?

DNA dan's thread is the closest to a tutorial on friction wheel drive rotation.  I assume one of Chopper's links above is to that, otherwise search DNA dan.

Since a monitor is rectangle, how do they get the bezel to spin too?

I used a fixed bezel with a square opening- the monitor rotates behind it.

What options are available to make the screen rotate? I would prefer the easiest method of course

Friction drive wheel with usb control is in my opinion the easiest way.  there are complications that can be added - parallel port drive instead of usb, h bridge control instead of motor controllers, different drive schemes including fully geared/stepper motor (ond style) chain/sprocket drive, edge of wheel drive, rope drive, pull it out and put it back in sideways drive (lechuck).  There are different means of rotation - lazy susan (DNA dan) axel and pillow block (Ond, Khalid74) edge mounted with a bike rim, etc. 

you have to match your rotation method to the size and weight of your display.  small LCD is easier than large CRT.

Whats the cost? is it cheaper to make a vertical only cabinet? space is an issue in my home.. so the idea sounds cool.

The friction wheel method I used added about $100 in parts from Pololu and the hardware store. 

With mame, can it auto rotate the screen when a player selects a vertical game? or would I have to press a key?

yes, although you need mala as the FE to send rotation commands.  if you use hyper spin or another fe you may need to do autohotkey scripts to call for rotation.  Mame can handle giving the FE the information about whether the game is horizontal/vertical.  it's in mame.xml. 

[Demon-Seed]

I thought that there was a topic where it listed exactly all the parts and how to do it? I can not remember who it was... but the items were from Paulo or something?? I have looked up "DNA" in member search and I have had no luck with a DNA Dan?

Jim

[TopJimmyCooks]

Apologies - should have looked at the threads that CTD posted above.

these two have what you're looking for. 

My system, including DNA Dan's parts list from Pololu, etc., see reply #13:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,112424.0.html

DNA Dan's original build:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,110471.0.html

[GoYouSalukis]

Here is mine. It is still going strong.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130638.0.html

I can provide a list of parts if you are interested. I don't think anyone alse has done it this way using a robotics turntable.

[Demon-Seed]

Part list is awsome thank! One link is dead (the lazy susan thing)

[TopJimmyCooks]

Thats just a "lazy susan" or turntable bearing.  get the largest one you can find at the local hardware store. 

That plastic geared robotics turntable doesn't look stout enough for anything but a very light display- make sure it's rated for the weight and orientation if you go that way. 

[GoYouSalukis]

My display is an older flat screen samsung and pretty heavy compared to more modern displays. I also have it mounted at about 20 degrees off from vertical, and it works quite well.

I started with a lazy susan and friction drive, but the one I had had too much slop for my taste. If I were to try the lazy susan again, I would probably try this version:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=32252&site=ROCKLER

Here's are links to my components:

Turntable: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex/products/accessories/motion/276-1810.html
Motor: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex/products/accessories/motion/276-2177.html

My biggest complaint is that the turntable doesn't come with the pinion gear and they only come in 12 packs!
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex/products/accessories/motion/276-2251.html
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex/products/accessories/motion/shafts.html

USB motor controller:
http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1350

[BadMouth]

I started with a lazy susan and friction drive, but the one I had had too much slop for my taste. If I were to try the lazy susan again, I would probably try this version:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=32252&site=ROCKLER

That's the type I'm using and I'm happy with it.  Various sizes are available on ebay.
I didn't like the way the hardware store lazy susan bearings rode on the bolt through the middle instead of the bearings when mounted vertically.  These have an inner and outer race with the bearings in the middle.  So the weight is on the bearings no matter what position it's mounted.

[TopJimmyCooks]

I started with a lazy susan and friction drive, but the one I had had too much slop for my taste. If I were to try the lazy susan again, I would probably try this version:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=32252&site=ROCKLER

That's the type I'm using and I'm happy with it.  Various sizes are available on ebay.
I didn't like the way the hardware store lazy susan bearings rode on the bolt through the middle instead of the bearings when mounted vertically.  These have an inner and outer race with the bearings in the middle.  So the weight is on the bearings no matter what position it's mounted.

I've never seen one with a bolt in the middle.  I used one like this but the next smaller size costing about $6.  from Lowes.  The weight is on the bearings.  The rockler one is definitely nicer and has more bearings/molded bearing race instead of stamped sheet metal and therefore less friction and play overall. 

http://www.amazonsupply.com/capacity-bearing-turntable-bearings-vxb/dp/B002TIPWNQv

..........

I like my setup, and it works great for a flat display like the Super Pac-Man, but I am not happy with the low viewing angle. Especially with a large control panel pushing me further away from the screen. I may modify the cab to tilt the display up, but I don't think the servo has the huevos to rotate a display at that angle. I bought the cheaper servo from vex. I should have bought the stronger one, but I didn't anticipate my issue.
 . . .

Friend, you said above in your own thread that there are issues with your implementation, per quote from you above.  I wouldn't push it as a solution until the bugs are worked out.  Not to be negative at all.  I really like the gear driven turn table, but it's plastic and tiny and I suspect you need less friction on the bearing and gears (caused by unanticipated lateral load) more than you need a bigger motor. 

[DaOld Man]

And worth mentioning, actuator driven monitor rotation rigs.

General discussion:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119594.0.html

Badmouths:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119308.0.html

Mine:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119378.0.html

I know there are more, one with a lego actuator, but I cant find it, or it could be in one of the above links.

Edit: it is in the link with my setup, just found it.

[Demon-Seed]

My build is likely not happening for a bit, but I almost have enough in my pay pal to buy all the parts for the rotating stuff! I think that I am going to buy it and start to tinker with it, before I do a build.  What screen sizes/types are being recommended?  I have been leaning towards a LCD tv or screen, however I am not sure I will be a fan of the elongated horizontal games.  Any recommendations?

One other thing I was wondering, in many of the projects I see a large hinge, looks like a screen door hinge? whats that for?
Thanks so much!
Jim

[GoYouSalukis]

..........

I like my setup, and it works great for a flat display like the Super Pac-Man, but I am not happy with the low viewing angle. Especially with a large control panel pushing me further away from the screen. I may modify the cab to tilt the display up, but I don't think the servo has the huevos to rotate a display at that angle. I bought the cheaper servo from vex. I should have bought the stronger one, but I didn't anticipate my issue.
 . . .

Friend, you said above in your own thread that there are issues with your implementation, per quote from you above.  I wouldn't push it as a solution until the bugs are worked out.  Not to be negative at all.  I really like the gear driven turn table, but it's plastic and tiny and I suspect you need less friction on the bearing and gears (caused by unanticipated lateral load) more than you need a bigger motor.

Its all good. That was written 6 months ago. I have not updated that thread after finishing. I was concerned at the time, but it turned out to not be warranted. I did modify the viewing angle up to around 30 degrees off of vertical and the servo has no problems turning the display quickly and smoothly. All I had to do was bump up the voltage from 5V to about 7V. 9V is too fast, and 5V was not quite enough. In my opinion, the turntable is quite strong. If you take a look at some of the robotics competitions that Vex sponsors, their parts are capable of handling some impressive loads. Also, as I stated, I used the wimpier servo, not the beefier one that I linked to, and it has worked great for around 6 months. No slipping, or any strange noises. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't recommend this for a CRT or a ginormous flatscreen, but for smaller flat screens, I think it works great. I will try to take a new video tonight after the family goes to sleep (I am supposed to be working on a paper for my masters degree!). This method is certainly less tested than the lazy susan and windshield wiper motor method, so hopefully anyone deciding on how to start a rotating screen project will take that into account.


Edit....

Here's a link to a new video:

A couple notes: my monitor is a SyncMaster 20" 205BW (circa 2007 I think) and Amazon.com lists its weight as 15lbs. I looked at a new ASUS 20" monitor and it is listed at 5.7lbs. Also, my calibrated eyeball isn't very good. The actual angle of my display is closer to 48 degrees from vertical, not 30 degrees as I mentioned earlier.

[DaOld Man]

Great job Goyousalukus!