Prusa Connect Camera

PURPOSE:

This project is an attempt to create an accessible open source camera solution that can be integrated into the Prusa Connect system. This is an alternative to the Buddy Cam. Resources include scripting, configuration, and hardware files. Enclosure for the camera system is printable.

Once released, this project will also attempt to host local Prusa Connect Local on the same device as the camera. If successful, this would allow users to have a single, always-on device that provides all control and feedback to a printer. While this is ideal for single-printer users, we'll have to see how the specs for Prusa Connect Local come out to determine how multi-printer hosting may operate.

I used the cheapest camera I could find, but this project relies on the PiCamera library, which means that any camera that can be recognized by the library will work. Similarly, if you have a housing for another camera setup that you like better, you can still use my software to easily set up the camera to work with Prusa Connect. Some projects I found that I liked:

HARDWARE:

• Raspberry Pi Zero 2W

• Aokin 5MP camera: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ1L8XW

• Micro SD card of your choice

• Micro USB power supply of your choice

• Enclosure (here)

  • Qty 4 M2.5x10

  • Qty 4-8 M2x5

  • Qty 2 M4x10

  • Qty 2 6x2mm round magnets

If you have hardware that's slightly longer or shorter, it'll probably be fine. There's a decent amount of length tolerance for all parts. If you need a redesign for other hardware let me know.

SOFTWARE:

Raspberry Pi Imager

Installer at https://gitlab.com/highpoly/prusa-connect-camera

INSTRUCTIONS:

Hardware:

Print one of each provided STEP file. 

Attach the camera to the RPI Zero with the ribbon cable.

Place the RPI Zero in the Case Back. There's only one way it fits.

Mount the Camera Mount to the Case Back, attaching the RPI in the process. (M2x5)

Mount the camera to the Camera Mount. (M2x5)

Attach the Case Front. (M2.5x10)

Install the magnets in the slots.

Attach the Magnetic Mount. (M4-10)

Software:

Download and install the Raspberry Pi Imager from https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/ if you do not currently have it installed. Tested with Imager Version 2.0.10.

Load your SD card into your computer. In Imager:

• Choose your specific Pi, if you're using the suggested hardware it will be Raspberry Pi 2W

• For Operating System, select Raspberry Pi OS (other). We're going to use a headless version of the operating system to conserve resources. Select Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit)

• Select your SD card for Storage

• IMPORTANT: YOU WILL NEED TO SELECT CUSTOM CONFIGURATION. Since we're running a headless version, you will not have a screen or other peripheral connected to the Pi. This means all access will be over SSH, using command line tools.

• Set a memorable device name

• Put in a username and password

• Input your network information

• SET SSH TO YES. Password authentication is fine

• Confirm writing to card

Writing and verifying will take some time. Make sure you have your camera plugged in to your pi, and your power source available. Once the card is done writing, plug it in to the pi and plug the pi into power.

Give it a good 5-10 minutes on first boot before trying to ssh in. Find out your ip, likely by logging in to your router and looking for the device name you set earlier. Using your favorite SSH utility (Powershell works great on Windows, Terminal for Mac; if you're on Linux, you already know) log in to the device.

standard command: ssh <uname>@<ip>

Enter your password and hit enter. You will not be able to see your keystrokes.

Type or copy and paste the following commands:

wget https://gitlab.com/highpoly/prusa-connect-camera/-/archive/v1.3/prusa-connect-camera-v1.3.tar.gz

tar -xvzf prusa-connect-camera-v1.3.tar.gz

cd prusa-connect-camera-v1.3

sudo bash install.sh

Enter your Prusa Connect Camera Token when prompted.

Check your Prusa Connect feed. Everything should be complete and you should get a new image about every 10 seconds.

To uninstall:

cd /opt/prusa-connect-camera

sudo bash uninstall.sh

Variations, Next Generations, Remix

This is a first pass effort at the case. I'll be improving it aesthetically and functionally, especially the mounting methods. The XL at least is good for some magnetic mounting on the top frame, so I'll be working on improving that first and foremost. Once I start back on that I'll post some dimensions so you can make your own mounts if you want. Please post remixes if you do this! I can also make versions that use different hardware if that's desired by anyone. Would love any feedback on what would make this more universal/useful to others, so feel free to message me or comment with ideas.

Aside from improving the aesthetics, I'll be working on incorporating Prusa Connect Local once it comes out. I'll be moving my hardware communication local as soon as it's available, so I expect my installer to accommodate either web or local connection to Prusa Connect. I'm very hopeful that Prusa Connect Local will support any RTSP stream, which will be a huge functionality upgrade. 

This is my first time using Git for a published project, and my first time with the PiConnect library, RTSP streams, and FFMPEG. If you have any suggestions for optimizations or features, please either DM me or open a request on Gitlab. 

AI Disclaimer: No AI was used in modeling. I did manually develop the functional software, then used an LLM to help create the install and uninstall scripts, with tight controls and manual review of every line.