# SnailScanToo or 2

**URL:** <https://forums.kinograph.cc/t/snailscantoo-or-2/2548>\
**Category:** Machine Design\
**Created:** [June 8, 2023, 9:51am UTC](https://forums.kinograph.cc/t/snailscantoo-or-2/2548 "2023-06-08T09:51:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 45

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**Author:** ![PM490](https://forums.kinograph.cc/user_avatar/forums.kinograph.cc/pm490/32/3176_2.png) [@PM490](https://forums.kinograph.cc/u/PM490)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.kinograph.cc/t/snailscantoo-or-2/2548/45 "2023-09-06T14:32:55Z")

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**Quick update**

Put the testing of the steppers on a brief hold. Got stuck with an issue (looks like a PICO SDK getchar bug, more info in the [post](https://forums.raspberrypi.com/viewtopic.php?t=355791)). The serial USB communication would hang randomly with a choke character in the PICO.  
After a lot of testing, and a better code with guardrails, the workaround was to use getchar\_timeout\_us using a zero argument.

Currently implementing a simple command protocol / parser for the serial-USB communication for the PICO, which would simplify changing parameters for the steppers/transport for continue testing what now appear to be inherent eccentricity issues of the geared steppers.

> [@PM490](#):
>
> Got sidetracked in how to improve the camera mount. Given the direction of the film, the HQ mounting 1/4 inch screw would be on the side. Additionally, for 8mm film, the extension tube gets long, and the arm of the lens weight makes the camera prone to vibration.
> 
> This is what a possible side mount, with a mounting slot to the front of the assembly would look like
> 
> ![20230823 hq camera mount](https://forums.kinograph.cc/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2d60ff2f770d98e7e5764c0efc50daa6a1a22ff8.png)

It is always nice when reality imitates cad… the HQ mounting piece arrived, nice 3mm aluminum, and a big improvement to the stability of the lens/sensor.

 ![2023-09-06 10.23.01](https://forums.kinograph.cc/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d5ef2b2cf4a210c93e7466c4fe484a81c1314c29.jpeg)  
The back mount uses small slots, so the assembly is adjusted to have the T42 extension nicely resting on the bottom plate.  
 ![2023-09-06 09.56.57](https://forums.kinograph.cc/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3a271b179f25d68cdff471314d391c94358831bb.jpeg)  
It reduces the strain and arm of the lens on the HQ plastic mount.  
 ![2023-09-06 09.56.48](https://forums.kinograph.cc/uploads/default/original/2X/b/bfcd509256ae789b7c2601c45f43de05ab3d4445.jpeg)  
The sensor is held with 2.5mm (10mm long) stands to the back, and also with its 1/4 inch screw to the side. The mount is now attached to the sliders with the forward mounting screw, a real improvement to mounting from the plastic lens mount of the HQ.

This was worth the price of the laser cutting/bending… the piece was US$14 (not including shipping/taxes/minimum order).

Stay tuned.

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