Simple and slim monitor rotation.

[WakiMiko]

I completed the monitor rotation for the cabinet I'm working on (I'll make a project thread eventually, when i start putting things together).

This one uses a linear actuator (thanks to BadMouth's Neo Geo project for the inspiration) to turn a 21.3'' LCD monitor. The actuator has build in limit switches and moves exactly 10cm which also is the distance of the VESA100 mounting holes.

I used a longer M4 screw in one of the holes and put it through a 6mm aluminum pipe where the actuator is "grabbing" it.



In order to turn the monitor 90 degrees, the actuator pushes/pulls "the hole" to the location of the next hole.







The mounting bracket I'm using was salvaged from the original monitor stand. Fortunately, the pivot part was really easy to remove and is quite slim, giving the whole project a flat profile.
The rotation mechanism barely adds any thickness:



I loosened the nut for the pivot a little in order to make it easier to turn. Originally, it required quite some force to turn so the monitor would stay in place, but that isn't needed anymore because the actuator prevents it from moving.


Video of the rotation in action:



Note that I'm using a 9V battery for testing purposes in this video. The actuator is rated for 12V so it will be faster on a real power source (about 3-4s in my tests).

[stigzler]

That's brilliant and just what I'm looking for for my next cab - rotating monitor in a slimline cab. How much for the parts?

[WakiMiko]

That's brilliant and just what I'm looking for for my next cab - rotating monitor in a slimline cab. How much for the parts?

I used this motor controller from Pololu and this actuator (the 100mm one) from Gimson Robotics. I ordered the controller through a European Pololu reseller to "save" on shipping and tax.

Living in Europe is expensive. Maybe there are cheaper actuator shops around here, but I didn't find any.

If you live in America, getting all parts from Pololu will be cheaper I guess, e.g. this actuator: http://www.pololu.com/product/2344

[stigzler]

Cheers Waki - definitely a solution for next cab. Just need to finish this one first...

Europe (UK here) IS expensive for us cab builders, isn't it!? Don't get me started on trackball plates...


 

[BadMouth]

Nice.  I think you've distilled the concept down to it's most basic form (which is more elegant). 

Does that monitor have the VESA mount centered with the screen?
If so, you got lucky. 
If not, I've actually considered making it off center on purpose and having it shift toward P1 when going vertical.

Looking forward to the build thread.

[WakiMiko]

Nice.  I think you've distilled the concept down to it's most basic form (which is more elegant). 

Does that monitor have the VESA mount centered with the screen?
If so, you got lucky. 
If not, I've actually considered making it off center on purpose and having it shift toward P1 when going vertical.

Looking forward to the build thread.

Yes, I got lucky with this monitor, the VESA mount is exactly in the center.

That off center idea is pretty good, but I wonder how much additional space you would need between the monitor and the left cabinet side so the monitor edge doesn't hit the side while it's rotating.


Also, I'm thinking about remounting the actuator on the other side (right side when standing in front of the cabinet) so the monitor rotates counter-clockwise because that's the default (and sometimes only) TATE direction for a lot of shmups. It won't be an issue with MAME though as it allows you to rotate in both directions.

[BadMouth]

Also, I'm thinking about remounting the actuator on the other side (right side when standing in front of the cabinet) so the monitor rotates counter-clockwise because that's the default (and sometimes only) TATE direction for a lot of shmups. It won't be an issue with MAME though as it allows you to rotate in both directions.

Yeah, counter-clockwise is best.  The taito type-x games and the Naomi games on Demul or Makaron both work that way.
IIRC, there were only a few oddballs that didn't and they were in MAME.

[stigzler]

Hmmm... so would you absolutely have to use a monitor with a center placed vesa mount? Can't do the mechanics in my head for one mounted above or below....

I'm gonna be looking for a 24" monitor - what make and model is yours, Waki?

[matt4949]

I prefer a dedicated cab for verts and a separate one for horizontal games, but this is really neat. I could see myself changing my mind on this matter. Great Job

[WakiMiko]

Thanks for the kind words guys!

I'm gonna be looking for a 24" monitor - what make and model is yours, Waki?

It's a EIZO FlexScan S2100 (http://www.eizo.com/global/products/flexscan/s2100/) that I picked up used on Ebay. With 21.3 inches this was the biggest 4:3 LCD I found.

It uses a VA panel which has really nice viewing angles. Theres also a newer model out by EIZO (S2133) with an IPS panel but it's way too expensive.

[stigzler]

Whoa - quick scout showed these to be expensive! Not my normal £80 jobs from ebay!

Sooo... there must be a way to achieve the same result from a non-centered vesa mount, right? Maybe place the base of the actuator on a slider to allow lateral movement too?

[BobA]

Nice clean implementation for rotation.   Looks as good as it gets.   

[BadMouth]

Sooo... there must be a way to achieve the same result from a non-centered vesa mount, right? Maybe place the base of the actuator on a slider to allow lateral movement too?

....or you could just make an adapter plate that centers the vesa mount with the screen.

[stigzler]

oh yeah! duh... it must be the paint fumes...

[DaOld Man]

Nice work. Simple is always better.

[DGP]

The Dell 2001fp is a 20" with centered VESA and can be found for reasonable $.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR4.TRC1.A0.Xdell+2001fp&_nkw=dell+2001fp&_sacat=0&_from=R40


Nice work on the rotation WakiMiko.

It would be great if something like this were available in kit form.

Jason

[mmg1design]

This is a cool way of doing this. I'm going to give this a try... looks like there are only 3 more actuators in stock (at the website you mentioned). Thanks!

[dluxpnw]

First off, awesome stuff. I've got the same setup and it'd running fine within the software from pololu. Is there a sample script available for linear actuators? All I'm finding is for servos.

[paigeoliver]

Hmmm... so would you absolutely have to use a monitor with a center placed vesa mount? Can't do the mechanics in my head for one mounted above or below....

I'm gonna be looking for a 24" monitor - what make and model is yours, Waki?

24" is widescreen, everything will be wrong, it makes no sense to install hardware rotation on a monitor that is the wrong aspect ratio. If you want something bigger than the 19-21" range with an LCD then you need to install a larger monitor vertically instead and skip the rotation.

Also, the vast majority of 19-21" 4:3 monitors are actually 5:4. The difference is much slighter than 4:3 vs 16:9, but it is there.