2-Axis Micro Servo Pan/Tilt Camera & Sensor Gimbal Bracket (No Servos)

Specifications

• Degrees of Freedom: 2 Axis (Pan / Tilt)

• Material: High-Impact Matte Black Plastic / Nylon

• Compatible Actuators: 9g to 12g Micro Servos (SG90, MG90S, etc.)

• Base Dimensions (approx): 30mm x 30mm

• Hardware: Includes machine screws and nuts for structural assembly

• Payload Capacity: Recommended for lightweight cameras/sensors (< 50 grams)

Key Applications and Projects

• Ultrasonic Radar: Mounting an HC-SR04 distance sensor and sweeping it 180 degrees to map obstacles for an autonomous rover.

• FPV Head-Tracking: Utilizing the mount to articulate a drone or RC car FPV camera, slaved to the head movements of the pilot.

• Laser Turrets: Creating a highly responsive laser pointer toy for pets using an Arduino and a joystick module.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The AI Smart Sentry Bot: Take your pan/tilt bracket beyond simple joystick control. Evolve your project by mounting a small webcam or an ESP32-CAM to this gimbal. Connect the servos to an Arduino or Raspberry Pi running OpenCV software. You can write a Python script that utilizes facial recognition to detect a person entering the room, calculate their coordinates, and automatically command the pan/tilt servos to keep the camera locked dead-center on their face as they move around the room!

PACKAGE INCLUDED

• 1 x Servo Bracket Base Mount (for the Pan servo)

• 1 x U-Shaped Servo Bracket (for the Tilt servo)

• 1 x Payload Mounting Platform

• 1 x Bag of assorted screws and nuts for assembly

• (Note: Micro servos, cameras, and sensors are strictly not included in this kit).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. Are the servos included with this kit? No, this product includes only the plastic mechanical brackets and the assembly hardware. Servos must be purchased separately.

2. What size servos do I need to buy for this? This bracket is specifically designed for standard "Micro" servos in the 9g to 12g size class. The most common compatible models are the SG90 (plastic gear) and the MG90S (metal gear).

3. Will a standard size servo (like a Futaba S3003 or MG995) fit? No, standard-sized 40g+ servos are far too large for this bracket. This is exclusively for micro servos.

4. How many degrees of movement will I get? The mechanical bracket itself does not limit movement significantly; your range of motion is dictated by your servos. Most standard SG90/MG90S micro servos offer 180 degrees of rotation per axis.

5. How do I assemble the bracket? Assembly requires you to slide your purchased servos into the molded slots. You will use the small screws included with your servos to attach the servo horns to the plastic brackets, and the machine screws included with this kit to bolt the plastic bracket halves together.

6. Can it hold a heavy DSLR camera or a large smartphone? No. This is a micro gimbal designed for very lightweight hobby payloads like bare PCB camera modules (ESP32-CAM, Raspberry Pi Camera), small FPV drone cameras, or ultrasonic distance sensors. A heavy camera will strip the micro servo gears immediately.

7. Do I need a special tool to put this together? You will only need a standard small Phillips-head screwdriver to assemble the bracket and attach the servos.

8. How do I control the pan and tilt movement? You will need a microcontroller (like an Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32) to send standard PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals to the two servos to dictate their angles.

9. Can I power the servos directly from my Arduino? While you can power one micro servo from an Arduino's 5V pin under light load, powering two actively moving servos for a pan/tilt setup will likely draw too much current and brown out or reset the Arduino. It is highly recommended to use an external 5V power supply (like a UBEC or a battery pack) for the servos.

10. How do I attach my sensor or camera to the top platform? The top platform features several pre-drilled holes. You can use small screws to mount your module, or for an easier approach, simply use small zip-ties or heavy-duty double-sided mounting tape.

11. What material is the bracket made of? The pieces are molded from a durable, high-impact matte black plastic (typically nylon or ABS), which keeps the assembly incredibly lightweight.

12. Does it include printed assembly instructions? These bulk hobbyist kits typically do not include printed manuals. However, the assembly is straightforward, and visual assembly guides are widely available online by searching "SG90 Pan Tilt assembly."

13. Can it be used for continuous 360-degree rotation? No. Even if you install a 360-degree continuous rotation servo, the physical wires from your camera/sensor will twist and snap if rotated endlessly. Standard 180-degree servos are recommended.

14. Is the plastic assembly waterproof? The plastic brackets themselves are completely immune to water, but the standard micro servos and sensors you mount to it will not be waterproof unless specifically treated.

15. What are the dimensions of the assembled base? The bottom footprint of the pan servo mount is approximately 30mm x 30mm, making it easy to mount on small robot chassis.

16. How do I center the pan/tilt before attaching the camera? Before final assembly, you should write a quick script to send a 90-degree (1500us) PWM signal to both servos to center them. Once they lock into the center position, screw the plastic brackets onto the servo splines so your camera points straight ahead.

17. Can I mount this upside down? Yes, the base can be screwed into a ceiling, a desk overhang, or the bottom of a rover chassis in any orientation.

18. What is the maximum recommended payload weight? To ensure smooth movement and prevent gear stripping or motor burnout, it is recommended to keep your total mounted payload under 50 grams.

19. Are the white plastic servo horns included in this kit? No. You must use the white plastic servo horns (arms) that are included in the box with whatever micro servos you purchase. They will screw directly into these black brackets.

20. Will this work with a Raspberry Pi? Yes. You can control the servos using the Pi's GPIO pins via software PWM, or for smoother movement, use a dedicated hardware I2C servo driver hat like the PCA9685.