I needed a way to clamp the garden hose on to the pan/tilt stage. While it would have been possible to use some metal strap or other standard clamp, I decided it would be neater to 3D print a custom clamp. It also gave me an excuse to design a 3D model. :)

I don't do this very often, but when I do, I prefer to use OpenSCAD, since I'm used to programming. As far as models goes it's very simple:

The code is in the files section. It uses variables so that you can alter the inner diameter at either end, wall thickness, base size etc.

Here is how it looks when printed:

Very happy with the result, it fits great and uses nice semi-flex material. Next I need to get some bolts to put it all together.

I also designed the circuit and PCB I'll use to drive the pan/tilt stage and valve from a Raspberry Pi Zero W. I seem to like to make my life difficult by trying to cram too much into too small a PCB. :) In this case I wanted it to fit in the size of a Pi Zero.

The circuit has a shift register connected to the Pi SPI, and a zero cross detection circuit that latches the received bits to drive 6 TRIACs. It also takes the 24VAC and converts it to 5VDC for the Pi. Eagle files are in the files section, but beware, this is as of yet untested!

The project is also shared on OSH Park.

Next I'll be assembling the hose to the pan/tilt stage and then it's waiting for the PCBs to come in.