Project Pages

1. Reference & Benchmarking
2. Load Cases & Assumptions
3. Structural Analysis & Calculations
4. Concept Sketches, Comparison, and Selection
5. Sizing & Material Selection
6. ‣
7. Fabrication & Assembly
8. Testing, Validation & Failure Analysis
9. Final Documentation & Portfolio Entry

Objective:

Design and fabricate a compact, manually operated camera crane (jib) capable of smooth, repeatable camera motion under real load conditions. The system will prioritize structural stiffness, balance, and controllability, with explicit justification of why the design meets performance requirements and avoids common mechanical failure modes. Final deliverable is a fully functional physical build ready for use by Summer 2026, supported by rigorous engineering documentation.

Strategic Concept & System Goal Definition

Focus

Treat the crane as a load-bearing mechanical system, not a filming accessory. All design decisions are driven by quantified performance limits (deflection, stiffness, stability), not aesthetics or convenience.

Tasks

• Define hard system requirements:
  • Maximum camera payload (including camera, lens, mount, cabling, safety margin)
  • Maximum horizontal reach (pivot to camera CG)
  • Required vertical motion envelope
  • Acceptable static tip deflection
  • Acceptable angular error (pitch / roll)
  • Footprint and transport constraints
• Define performance priorities (ranked):
  1. Structural stiffness / motion quality
  2. Balance and controllability
  3. Compactness and transportability
  4. Ease of fabrication
• System boundary definition:
  • What the crane includes (boom, pivot, counterweight, bearings)
  • What it explicitly does not include (motorized motion, remote head, active damping)