My search for the perfect "NozzleCam" for my 3D printers continues... but I could be close. The postman delivered a OV5640 USB Webcam which I previously ordered from AliExpress. I had a feeling the model I purchased could be a problem, since it has autofocus. In any case I did some tests with it and it does work with the Raspberry Pi, and the minimum distance where it can focus on an object is about 40mm in front of the lens. The autofocus is pretty slow, hunting and missing a lot, and I think it will have a problem as a nozzle camera. Further, the driver does not support disabling the autofocus and manually setting the focus (some of them do). After testing, I ordered another fixed focus model which will be several weeks to arrive.
This highest resolution at which this camera supports 30 fps is 1920x1080 (which I think will be fine). The maximum resolution is 2592x1944 at 15 fps.
Below is the output of "v4l2-ctl --all --device /dev/video0" the area highlighted in white is where it would show if the camera supports any focus control options (but there are none listed). It's a bit of a bummer since this driver seems to be the same used for most of the modular type USB webcams I have found, even the 4k models. Hopefully a fixed focus camera will work better.
This highest resolution at which this camera supports 30 fps is 1920x1080 (which I think will be fine). The maximum resolution is 2592x1944 at 15 fps.
Below is the output of "v4l2-ctl --all --device /dev/video0" the area highlighted in white is where it would show if the camera supports any focus control options (but there are none listed). It's a bit of a bummer since this driver seems to be the same used for most of the modular type USB webcams I have found, even the 4k models. Hopefully a fixed focus camera will work better.
In the pics below, you will see my very poor setup, since I just wanted to test the closest distance the object could be, and still be in focus (about 40mm). The other pics show the module and the cable, which was included. The module is quite small and compact and gets warm (while the camera gets hot). I would probably try and heat sink the camera, and possibly the board if using it for a nozzle camera.
I will update this post again, with hopefully a better test setup, when I get the fixed focus camera (which is also an OV6540).
I will update this post again, with hopefully a better test setup, when I get the fixed focus camera (which is also an OV6540).
I set up a temporary test on my printer to get a more real world pic of the nozzle with this camera. It seems to work, and I think if I can get the fixed focus version (which has a slightly narrower field of view), it may work. If not I will test a 100° camera. Also yes, this nozzle is very dirty, I am gonna clean it now and fix the boot (to boot). This is positioned roughly where my old endoscope camera was positioned but in line with the BL-touch probe (so it is far enough away from the nozzle that it should not get overheated hopefully). The camera will need to be moved up and angled downward more to work properly, if I ran the printer like this the camera would hit the bed before the nozzle (this is only a test). The image quality is not spectacular, but it will do.
Yeah I know, fellow OCD'ers, this nozzle is screaming out to be cleaned, don't worry it will be.
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