(Click on the photos on this page for a larger image and additional comments.)

The Activation Switch is not very complicated but it has added a lot to the quality of images that I have been able to create. I was doing pretty well with many shots but I felt the movies needed more dynamic feature. By adding the feature for the camera to pitch up and track the rocket could realy add to the shots.

I tried to estimate when to start pitching the camera based on timing from the ignitor. But the uncertanities with the motor coming up to pressure made it too unreliable. I had to find a way to detect actual motion of the rocket.

But the gases from the exhaust are very corrosive to electronic components not to mention the high temperatures from the blast. I had to find a way to reliably sense the rockets motion but protect to switch from the rockets blast and exhaust. 

The switch uses a lever arm to lay on top of the lower rail guide. As the rocket lifts it momentarily turns on a switch to start the camera pitching.

The arm is attached to a cam the rotates and depresses a sealed switch. Although the switch is sealed, I added a cover to help protect the mechanism.

The Activation switch is attached to the rail using standard hardware. This allows the switch to be positioned anywhere on the rail.