Skip to content

Milo Zero-Setting Procedure — All Axes

CONFIRMED MILO BOTH

Summary

When a Milo requires first-time setup, recalibration after mechanical work, or the axis zeros have drifted, each axis must be re-zeroed using a specific procedure. This is Gordon's (MRMC) definitive procedure, covering all seven Milo axes: Tilt, Lift, Rotate, Angle (Outer Arm), Extend, Pan, and Roll.

You will need a laser pointer mounted at the camera position (or a plumb line for some steps), and access to a flat wall approximately 10 m away.

Tilt Zero

  1. Set Rotate to +90° and Pan to −90°.
  2. Store a reference keyframe at position 0,0,0 on the head. Mount a laser on the centre of the platform and project it onto the wall ~10 m away. Mark the laser dot height on the wall.
  3. Command the rig to Pan +180°, Tilt −180°, Roll 180°. The laser should land on the same mark.
  4. Note the offset between the two laser positions. Set the Tilt zero to halfway between the two positions.
  5. Home again and recheck. Repeat until both positions land on the same mark.

Lift Zero

Use a spirit level placed under the extended Lift rail. The Lift zero is correct when the rail is perfectly horizontal.

Rotate Zero

  1. Tilt the head down to project the laser at the Rotate gear rack.
  2. Note the laser position on the rack.
  3. Extend the arm in and out — the laser dot should remain stationary on the rack throughout the full Extend range. If it moves laterally, adjust Rotate zero.

Angle Zero (Outer Arm)

  1. Set Rotate to +30°, Pan to −30°. Mark the laser position on the wall.
  2. Set Rotate to +150°, Pan to approximately −150°. Mark the laser position.
  3. Both marks should be at the same height on the wall. Adjust Angle zero until both positions match height.

Extend Zero

Set the Angle bearing to the Main bearing distance to 180 cm, or measure the actual physical distance accurately and enter it into Kinematics. The Extend zero is referenced from this bearing-to-bearing dimension.

Pan Zero

  1. Run the track to the back of the rail (full retract position).
  2. With Rotate set to its correct zero first, pan the head until the zero mark aligns with the teeth of the track rack. A slight tilt downward helps visibility for alignment.

Rotate must be zeroed before Pan, as the Pan zero reference depends on it.

Roll Zero

With the camera platform level, use a spirit level on the platform to set Roll zero. The roll zero is correct when the platform reads perfectly level.

Evidence

"Tilt: Set rig at rotate 90 pan -90. Store a line 0,0,0 on the head, laser on the centre of the platform. Mark height on a wall 10m away. Go pan +180, Tilt -180, Roll 180. Should be on the mark. Mark that position, go back to start position, move tilt zero to halfway between, zero home again. Check +180,-180,180. Repeat." — Gordon (MRMC), talk.mrmoco.com

"Rotate: Tilt down note where laser is on rack, extend in and out, should stay constant." — Gordon (MRMC), talk.mrmoco.com

Official Documentation

Milo Quick Start Guide — printed p.1: safety and overview

Flair 7.4 User Manual — Kinematics setup