# Webcam Reuse Module **URL:** \ **Category:** Creators & Developers\ **Tags:** project\ **Created:** [June 29, 2024, 4:45am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770 "2024-06-29T04:45:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 4:45am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/1 "2024-06-29T04:45:53Z")
I’ve just sent off a prototype of a module to reuse old webcams after upgrading to the new module, this board is only to validate the overall idea and get a working version of the firmware for the RP2040 I’m using an RP2040 to convert the PDM mic audio into USB, and then through the CH334F, and since the actual webcam is only USB I can directly connect them together. I’ll probably end up selling this with an enclosure if I can get details on the dimensions of the webcam and I’ll also need to source some cover glass ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/7/2/72b97ec6add43ee0477e0d2babaa77a22a317a31.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Kyle\_Reis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@Kyle\_Reis](https://community.frame.work/u/Kyle_Reis)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 5:55am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/2 "2024-06-29T05:55:28Z")
> [@Josh\_Cook](#): > > if I can get details on the dimensions of the webcam According to Framework the webcam module is 85 mm wide x 6 mm tall x 3.45 mm thick. ---
**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 6:40am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/3 "2024-06-29T06:40:45Z")
Since you’re using a RP2040 maybe you could break out a few gpio for anyone who wants to add some extra functions. Perhaps controlling a small led ring light, ir leds (removing the camera’s ir filter), maybe even pan / tilt servos. ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 6:46am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/4 "2024-06-29T06:46:25Z")
> [@Kyle\_Reis](#): > > According to Framework the webcam module is 85 mm wide x 6 mm tall x 3.45 mm thick. I’m more looking for a drawing which shows clearances, locations of components/connectors. > [@MJ1](#): > > Since you’re using a RP2040 maybe you could break out a few gpio for anyone who wants to add some extra functions. Perhaps controlling a small led ring light, ir leds (removing the camera’s ir filter), maybe even pan / tilt servos. Good idea, I’ll implement this. ---
**Author:** ![nrp](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/nrp/32/352_2.png) [@nrp](https://community.frame.work/u/nrp)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/5 "2024-06-29T20:32:16Z")
![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/0/7/0760e7f6308e16185f2362fd7561c478051f1347.png) ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/6 "2024-07-08T01:02:32Z")
![IMG20240708110116](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/f/a/fa4817eda02143d977eabba70d7fffcc5d4d590e.jpeg) Initial prototypes, now to work on the RP2040 PDM firmware, the USB hub and the UF2 drive appear so these seem to at least minimally function. ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 6:34am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/7 "2024-07-11T06:34:06Z")
RP2040 Firmware has been completed and it functions and I’m able to get audio out of it! Now to work on my production level version (smaller form factor). I’ll also need to buy custom FFC cables since these cheap aliexpress ones are very intermittent. ![IMG20240711163107](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/d/1/d1a8413f61b8235cf659e54a0d9aa1a821aaaf1e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mastermindaxe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mastermindaxe](https://community.frame.work/u/Mastermindaxe)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/8 "2024-07-11T07:26:01Z")
Hey Josh, I just have to say man. You are an absolute pillar of the Framework community! Keep doing what you’re doing! Absolutely made my day to see that there are efforts to reuse the webcam module. Off-topic: Do you have a sponsor link on your github account or something to support your work? Would love to donate some money to you for all your efforts ---
**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 9:38am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/10 "2024-07-11T09:38:08Z")
> [@Josh\_Cook](#): > > RP2040 Firmware has been completed and it functions and I’m able to get audio out of it! Now to work on my production level version (smaller form factor). Nice. Do you plan to have a long board that goes behind the webcam’s board in order to match its slim profile and keep it as small as possible? It would be really nice to fit it along the top of a monitor. And when paired with the new upgraded FW camera, some might even look to clip it to other laptops, since it’s much better than normal laptop cams. ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 9:44am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/11 "2024-07-11T09:44:33Z")
> [@MJ1](#): > > Do you plan to have a long board that goes behind the webcam’s board in order to match its slim profile and keep it as small as possible? Yep, this was just a test board, I’ll probably have an update in a couple weeks with my second revision. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Pearce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@Alan\_Pearce](https://community.frame.work/u/Alan_Pearce)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/12 "2024-07-11T17:23:02Z")
What I want to do is remove the camera off the long board and fit it onto something not much bigger than its own profile (think in terms of mounting the camera in an H0 model train). Essentially I want to cut the PCB and turn the camera at right angles, while keeping the functionality. Haven’t taken the camera out of my unit yet to see what is required in the way of fitting patch wires if I did this. ---
**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/13 "2024-07-11T18:38:02Z")
> [@Alan\_Pearce](#): > > Essentially I want to cut the PCB and turn the camera at right angles, while keeping the functionality. Haven’t taken the camera out of my unit yet to see what is required in the way of fitting patch wires if I did this. There are usb camera modules available with the camera sensor on a flex ribbon cable. Example [aliexpress.com/item/3256804992097328.html](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256804992097328.html) Sounds like that would work better for you. The Framework camera sensor looks to be a surface mounted BGA. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Pearce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@Alan\_Pearce](https://community.frame.work/u/Alan_Pearce)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/14 "2024-07-11T19:06:53Z")
OK, thanks for the link. That certainly looks like a possibility, and at that price one can hardly complain. ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/15 "2024-07-13T01:51:26Z")
2nd revision, with a smaller form factor at 85mm x 10mm (webcam measures 85mm x 6mm). Layout is done, now to route components. I was debating rotating the USB-C receptacle 90° and shifting it further right to allow 2 screws to fix both PCBs together, I might still implement this. There are also 3 GPIO on the back (I may move them to the front because there is conductive tape on the back of the webcam) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/b/5/b596ad4f10d649052d38cca015acc94498692740.png) ---
**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 5:05am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/16 "2024-07-13T05:05:11Z")
Very nice! > [@Josh\_Cook](#): > > I was debating rotating the USB-C receptacle 90° and shifting it further left to allow 2 screws to fix both PCBs together, I might still implement this. Keeping it in-line feels nice, more compact to me personally. ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 7:20am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/17 "2024-07-13T07:20:23Z")
1st pass of routing, done on a 4 layer PCB, also added ESD protection on the USB-C port along with the termination resistors for the RP2040. Estimated price is $20-30AUD plus shipping ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/a/6/a60b698e56baf19e02775762f0f15c67abce93ce.png) ---
**Author:** ![Bennett\_Derrico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@Bennett\_Derrico](https://community.frame.work/u/Bennett_Derrico)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/19 "2024-07-15T14:13:26Z")
can we get a full picture of what’d we’d potentially be buying? ---
**Author:** ![Josh\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Josh\_Cook](https://community.frame.work/u/Josh_Cook)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 7:48am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/20 "2024-07-19T07:48:37Z")
> [@Bennett\_Derrico](#): > > can we get a full picture of what’d we’d potentially be buying? I’ll share more information on it once I get my final prototypes assembled, which I have just ordered. ---
**Author:** ![Bennett\_Derrico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@Bennett\_Derrico](https://community.frame.work/u/Bennett_Derrico)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/21 "2024-07-19T21:09:11Z")
dope! ---
**Author:** ![gaben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@gaben](https://community.frame.work/u/gaben)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 9:47am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770/22 "2024-07-21T09:47:49Z")
Can you add mounting points to the PCB? Maybe shared with the webcam module if it makes sense? [Next page](https://community.frame.work/t/webcam-reuse-module/53770.md?page=2)