I finally got around to actually build a Bing Feeder using white PETG. I have bought 3Kg of Green PETG for later as I believe that color is better for camera support. Going from BambooFeeder to BingFeeder is a big jump – two completely different feeders and separate set of pros & cons. I will tempt to go through some of my observations.
Bamboo Feeder AS2:
- No control system so you need to add a servo controller and deal with inrush current as these servoes draw 0.8A as the start.
- Simple, low cost design (4 .- USD) – based on youtube movies very ok with some added camera usage.
- 12mm wide on 8mm tape version, can be mounted tight.
- Push-Pull with a cheam servo.
Bing Feeder v3:
- Adds a control system to drive motors, communication is through two GPIO pins – on/off and pulse. You feed by sending a 10ms pulse. Closed loop where motor start and move until the IR sensor detect a gap, so it move 2 or 4 mm depending on what sprocket you insert.
- Sprocket based so will drag the tape 2 or 4mm. Uses 2 x DC motors (1 c N20 and 1 x N39),
- IR sensor to detect movement of sprocket wheel.
- 20mm wide on 8mm tape.
- Support 0402 by design.
- Cost ca 20,. USD.
- Far more dificult to 3D print.
My first observation on Bing Feeder is that I could have redesigned it to be 12mm wide. I also could have decreased cost and upgraded the control system to be intelligent. The question is if it is worth it? The reality is that if BambooFeeders costing 4.- USD works with Camera = problem solved. I ordered 6 x 8mm Bing feeders with 0402 support and from what I see they should manage 0402 and maybe 0201 – lets see then I start the machine.
Seen from my perspective these are both very interesting designs.
As I rebuild the PnP frame I will have a 600 x 600 x 600 mm metal box and be able to add Feeders on 3 sides, so for testing I will add both Bamboo, Bing and T-2 to see what I get out of them.