Homemade 16mm Projector

As my final fabrication project, I decided to make a 16mm projector that can loop a strip of film using a motor. Based on initial concept and sketch, I started off by 3D printing sprockets and spools that can keep the strip of film moving. I also laser cut gears from acrylic so that the motor can easily mobilize the spools.

The next step was to design and print mounts for the components. Since I wanted the three anchor points for the film to be at the same level, I created 3D models for the mounts based on my measurements and calculations using Autodesk Fusion 360.

Shown below are the components ready to be assembled. I used epoxy to glue the large gear to the main sprocket. The DC motor fit nicely with the 3D printed mount and the laser cut gear.

The last step was to attach the components on to a wood panel using bolts and nuts. I drilled holes in the appropriate positions after laying out the structure; however, I did have some difficulty getting the holes to line up exactly with the components. Furthermore, the screw holes on my 3D prints that I modeled were very tight—another good lesson for the future.

Watch the projector in action here! Although my creation focused on the motor portion of the projector, I played around with a high-intensity LED light and some lenses to actually project the moving images onto a surface. The looping hand-painted 16mm film is from my past project.