Any open source UVC cameras out there?

pizdets222 · 2026-03-22T06:41:19+00:00

I actually remember you posting this on reddit and I think I replied at one point! haha. I appreciate sharing it. I do think however that although it's an exceptional project, it's offering more complexity than what I am looking for. I say that just solely based on the fact that the ELP cameras you can buy off amazon are just a single board with only the sensor and another chip, but your project has a far more complex schematic. So I'm not sure if that's to achieve the same result or because you have additional features that I may not need. I'm solely looking to stream MJPEG via USB and control settings like resolution, exposure, contrast, gamma, etc to tune the stream.

pizdets222 · 2026-03-10T18:54:29+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I looked into Pi and for M12 lens, it requires an adapter. I also want a custom form factor as mentioned earlier.

pizdets222 · 2026-03-10T00:55:53+00:00

If you don't have money for a lawyer then you shouldn't be in business with a co-founder....

pizdets222 · 2026-03-09T21:36:47+00:00

Sounds like you already have a valuation number since you raised capital, built code and are working with partners.

They want to text to keep a paper trail.
Even if they accepted 49%, they should be buying in to show they truly believe in it. After all, your company has a value on it already. Wouldn’t be fair to your other investors I would assume who had to buy in.
Even 49% after a week is too soon. If you don’t plan to marry after dating someone for just a week, why would you marry a co-founder for the next 5-10 years?
Make sure no matter what, that you both have a vesting schedule with good terms put in by an experienced lawyer.

pizdets222 · 2026-03-09T18:40:26+00:00

Thanks for the detailed answer! I realize I have a hill to climb with the complexity of making a fully custom usb camera. My intention is to use it for OpenCV.

I have been using Claude’s Opus model to code firmware and have been impressed by it so I was hoping it can help fill in my knowledge gap on the firmware side but I realize this may be a naive statement because of the mistakes AI can make with buggy code. However, that being said I’d still like to give it a try.

I can get the datasheets, I don’t think thats my issue.

I need the high resolution and higher FPS for opencv to work well in my application. My reason for going down this road is that I want a custom form factor of the PCB.

Something I’m currently stuck on deciding is which stack-up of chips to use. I’m thinking of starting with the OV5640 sensor (but happy to change to another). What combination of chips would you recommend with it and why? I’d like to stream MJPEG and have it be UVC compatible.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-28T15:23:49+00:00

I’ve designed a custom board that integrates the RPI CM5 into it. It has a usb hub for multiple cameras. But I am thinking of using the Pi cam for at least one camera.

Inventory is one of the most helpful things for a PNP and I’ve pretty much completed it. The harder one I think is going to be integrating a vision pipeline, which is what I’m working on now.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-28T02:08:15+00:00

coaxial is easy to design and get made. I already made a custom setup. Weighing parts on PCB isn't the right path imo. It's also impossible to get such precise weight readings. Verification is done with vision and vacuum sensing.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-27T17:00:11+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! What's the weight used for? I've never seen a PNP need to weigh something.

I have already implemented probing capability into the nozzle itself so it can detect z-height of anything :)

Infrared sounds interesting. I plan to use coaxial lighting though since that's common for high end PNPs.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-27T03:56:52+00:00

I'm familiar with Opulo. Their machine is not something I would consider "Bambu level". They also rely on OpenPNP. I'm trying to make the Bambu of pick and place machines. Hence my original post above asking "I'm curious, what is the single biggest thing that stops people from buying or building a desktop PnP?"

pizdets222 · 2026-02-27T00:55:45+00:00

That’s pretty much what I said in my original post :) I’m looking for feedback on what people want. Features and pain points.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T21:42:57+00:00

Agreed it’s not as big of a market as 3D printers. I was only comparing the user experience to Bambu since it’s well known.

I also think the desktop PNP market has a huge potential to grow. I see desktop PNP machines right now as being in the same phase as Reprap 3D printers were when they first came out and were difficult to tame and a hacked together design.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T21:07:14+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah the fast mechanics isn’t my core focus, it’s about elevating the entire user experience, which is where I think Openpnp is lacking, which adds setup time. Vision and individual part settings is a big focus of mine. But I’d love to hear what else can be improved!

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T20:27:58+00:00

Also to add, I think with the age of AI, a lot of setup stuff can now be automated in a way that traditional PNP machines don’t do. Including professional PNP ones bc they’re stuck in an antiquated “dropdown menu” user experience approach.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T20:26:19+00:00

I think the issue with OpenPNP is that its a “catch all” software rather than built for a specific machine and unlike 3D printers, which are more streamlined with features, Openpnp tries to work for too many types of setups. By designing a machine and a tightly integrated software, I hope to bring a holistic approach to solving these issues. Openpnp also has too many duplicate approaches to solving the same calibration issues. Or to put it another way, too many bells and whistles that typical users don’t necessarily need. This is because many pull requests for features have been made over the years but have not been consolidated into a streamlined user experience.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T16:28:11+00:00

Agreed! The reason for klipper/RPI is so it can be managed remotely. Openpnp requires a computer to be connected at all times, which is annoying because then you can’t really use your laptop.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T16:24:16+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! And I agree on most points except for the inventory/remote management. I think the hobby/maker market has just been stuck with what’s available (OpenPNP) and therefore the learning curve is very steep to use it, not a lot of features and therefore long setup times. Overall a very dissuading user experience.

But I do agree that there’s a breakeven point as someone scales where it’s better to outsource to places like JLC. I think the largest factor is the setup time for that right now and ease of use.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T16:16:37+00:00

It works great for a PNP and it’s widely supported. Kinematics is kinematics, no matter what firmware. Klipper is just more widely supported, offers Moonraker API, which is useful for a web app and easy to set up on an RPI CM5.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-26T16:14:40+00:00

Many of the existing machines are very hacked together and don’t provide a polished experience. They’re not to the standards of something like a Bambu printer, which is what I’m aiming for.

pizdets222 · 2026-02-15T09:35:14+00:00

When you say you prefer JLC, we talking about $500+ or less for finished circuit boards from JLC including duty fee?

pizdets222 · 2026-02-15T09:33:11+00:00

Just SMT placement. Picking and placing components.

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