Panasonic HCV-777 Cage

I designed this camera cage for my Panasonic HCV-757 and 777 camcorders, as there are no models of cages available with this formfactor. To design the cage I remodeled the camcorder and built the cage as tightly as possible around it. This way i tried to keep the bulk down, and the camera added cage still fits in my old camera bag.

I use it in a mobile life streaming setup to mount mics, transmitters lights, screens and grips to the cameras.

Features:

• full accessibility (to screen, SD-card, battery, ports, buttons or dials)
• 48 printed UNC ¼-20 threads
• 2 shoe mounts (now you can add a mic and still access the zoom and rec. button
• integrated and folding cable arm to support HDMI cables 
• optional front grip adapter
• optional NATO-rail*

Required Hardware

• 1x     UNC ¼-20 heat-set insert (or more for the base)
• 1x     UNC ¼-20 screw (to mount your camcorder)
• 10x  M3 heat-set inserts (14x if you install the rear brace)
• 10x  M3x8mm screws (one button- or other low profile head for the cable arm)

Optional Hardware

• M4 heat-set inserts - You can drill out the printed threads and use M4 inserts (since ¼-20 hardware is quite expensive and hard to find)
• 1x   UNC ¼-20 tap to refine the printed threads

Printing

Required parts are:

• Top
• Base
• Sidepiece - front
• Sidepiece - rear

Optional are:

• Cable - arm
• Cable - hook
• Brace - rear
• Base - grip adapter
• NATO - rail*

Supports:

The parts can be printed mostly without supports or skirts with exception of:

• rear shoe on “Top” requires local supports

• cutout for the cable arm on “Base”requires local supports

• sidepiece front/rear requires skirt/brim - possibly support for near holes

• “NATO - rail” (45° overhang) possibly requires supports

I printed my parts in Prusament PC-blend because i wanted to test the filament (i had some warping issues). I think you will be fine with using PLA or PETG, just keep in mind that the ¼-20 threads are printed. You of course could drill the treads out and install heat-set inserts etc.. 

Assembly

• Remove support material
• Insert heat-set threads in “Top”:
  • 5x M3 on the right side (for sidepieces)
  • 2x M3 on the rear left (for brace)

• Insert heat-set inserts in “Base”:
  • 4x M3 on the right side (for sidepieces)
  • 2x M3 on the rear left (for brace)
  • 1x M3 at cutout (for cable arm)
  • 1x UNC ¼-20 from the bottom (to mount e.g. quick release plate)
  • (I used 2x M4 on the front for grip adapter as i didn't have the right  ¼-20 screws)

• Assemble cable arm:
  • Screw “Cable - hook” to “Cable - arm” using a M3 screw and washer.
  • To secure the screw in the cable arm use e.g.  super glue
  • Mount the cable arm in “Base”

• Assemble cage using 10x (14x when using brace) M3x8 screws consisting of:
  • Base
  • Top
  • Sidepiece - front
  • Sidepiece - rear
    • Keep in Mind: Mount the camcorder before you add the rear brace, this way you can slide the camera-strap around the base.
  • (brace)

Et voilà! That's how your cage should look like:

*Nato-rail:

Here is the drawing i used to model the NATO-rail:

Source:

https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:STANAG_4694_%E2%80%9CNATO_Accessory_Rail%E2%80%9D_1.jpg 

Originator: NATO Army Armaments Group

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2009infantrysmallarms/wednesdaysessionvArvidsson.pdf