Matey Cam with ESP32-CAM for Prusa CORE One

Turn your ESP32-CAM into a magnetic camera for your Prusa CORE One 3D printer.

This model is designed for Ai Thinker ESP32-CAM, HW Version 1 with an OV2640 camera. I recommend using a fisheye/wide-angle camera. Don't expect highest quality footage with this little camera.

You can basically use any compatible ESP32 camera firmware, e.g., Prusa's ESP32 Cam.

Note that the onboard flash is prone to breaking (FLASH LED issue), however the printer provides enough light.

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Flashing

As the board does not come with a USB port, we need to connect an external UART to USB converter (e.g., SDS011_USB2TTL with CH3040) to the following pins:

UART to    ┌──┌────────────┐──┐
USB 5V <-- │ o 5V       3V3 o │
           │ o GND     IO16 o │
           │ o IO12    IO 0 o │ ──┐  Pull to GND
           │ o IO13     GND o │ <─┘  to flash.
           │ o IO15     VCC o │
           │ o IO14    IO 3 o │ <--  UART to USB TX
           │ o IO 2    IO 1 o │ -->  UART to USB RX
           │ o IO 4     GND o │ <--  UART to USB GND
           │    ESP32-CAM     │
           └──────────────────┘

GPIO0 needs to be connected to GND to allow flashing. Remove bridge afterward.

This is a good introduction to the board:

- https://lastminuteengineers.com/getting-started-with-esp32-cam/

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Parts

• ESP32-CAM microcontroller

• OV2640 (wide-angle) camera

• USB-C breakout board (see photo)

• [3x] Magnets 10x5x3 mm

• [2x] Screws 3.0 mm, 8 – 12 mm long

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Assembly

 1. Preparation

• Print the main parts from PETG.

  • Infill: 25% Grid

• Select the shell variant that matches your camera.

• If you use a wide-angle camera, print the collar from TPU

  • Shore hardness ~ A88

  • Infill: 15% Gyroid

  • concentric top/bottom fill

• Insert the three magnets into the holes in the arms of the back part.

• Solder the USB-C breakout to the ESP32-CAM. Connect VBUS -> 5V, GND -> GND (see photo).

2. Assemble the Inlay

• Use a pin board tack to clear the holes in the board holder inlay.

• Insert the USB-C breakout into the inlay (see photo).

• Attach the ESP32-CAM to the inlay by inserting its pins into the holes of the inlay.

3. Insert the Inlay

• If you use an external antenna, thread the cable through one of the vents and clip it to the connector on the ESP32-CAM (see photo).

• If you use a wide-angle camera, thread it carefully through the hole in the shell during the following process.

• Insert the inlay into the shell by pushing the USB-C port through the hole at the side of the shell.

• Mind the ledge over the USB outlet that holds the inlay in place.

• When everything matches up, push the inlay gently into the shell.

• If you use a wide-angle camera, use the TPU collar to stabilize the lens.

4. Attach the Back

• Insert the back into the shell on top of the insert.

• The three arms should form something like a Y with the bottom pointing towards the USB outlet.

• Use two 3.0 mm screws with a length of up to 12 mm to hold it in place.

5. Attach to the Printer

• Use the magnetic legs to attach the camera to the front-left corner of the printer.

• Attach the USB-C cable from below, making sure it won't block any mechanics of the printer.