It's time to update and continue this project. Since my last update I've started and finished my seconds Master degree and started a new career... hence the big delay on this project. But there are also some new products available since I started this project that are going to make it a lot easier.

New plan for this project is to 3d print the body that holds the parts. The body itself is estimated at 150g of PLA based on the newest concept. Going to add a bit more than that by the time I get the mount designed to hold the lidar module. I've added the first edition of the stl files but I haven't had a chance to print them and check for fit yet.

Another update is that the newest lidarlite module is out and is capable of 1k readings per second at better than centimeter accuracy. I've got the lidarlite v3 (capable of 500 readings per second) to get started with and will upgrade once I have everything else working.

Also, I'm going to be using the Teensy 3.5 which has a boatload of memory on board (which was a major problem with my previous design) and also has an SD card mount ready to store files. 

I've obtained some better motor drivers from Pololu because the old ones got rather hot and were quite noisy. Better to spend a few extra bucks on better drivers.

I've left space in the case to add a rotary encoder like the mechaduino. I'm hoping I won't need to use one and can save the $50 bucks...but I wanted to have the option to upgrade later.

I've also changed the yaw motor to connect to a worm gear so that the whole unit doesn't spin like crazy when the motor is off. It should also help the motor generate the torque needed to turn the entire unit on the base station. The other motor shouldn't need the help because it's only controlling the tilt of the lidar module.