The focuser plate arrived today. Very happy with the result. I just need to make a few changes with my model (should someone else want one) so that it goes straight on with little work and to be able to tap a few M3 threads to fix the focuser to the plate.
I am already thinking about other things to design and have made.
Back for another update We've had a few more custom jobs which is great! In order of the images:
A set of 2mm spacers to help get the correct backfocus for a member's imaging setup
A custom electronic finderscope holder - a ZWO camera is bolted along the vertical slot using it's standard 1/4" thread. The feet are curved to match the curvature of the member's newt and screws into the carbon fibre tube
A custom laser point holder - the base again matches the curvature of the scope. The top plate sits on this and via spacers can be tilted up and down. An arc slot was placed at the rear to allow left/right adjustment and thus full directional control over where the pointer aims
A custom Baht mask with the telescope's name engraved in the mask
Apart from the regular requests for masks, we are also looking at a custom EP case, and even covers for a member's boat equipment! One exciting thing I am looking into is trialling 3D printed nuts & bolts which will open a world of possibilities. One of these is a custom finderscope bracket where the adjustment screws can be printed to be of any size with any bolt head (for example, wing nut-style screws). Another possibility is placing metal nuts into the holes, and then one can use any metallic screw they like if they choose to.
here is a spacer ring i got made by Meru for threading my powermate into my filter wheel. This is required due to the T thread otherwise protruding into the filter wheel stopping it from turning. You cannot buy this from any current manufacturer. Of course you could bodge up something to work, but price, fit, quality, packaging and customer service were all 6/5 stars, so im glad i went this route
Krishan,
Thanks for the feedback! Yes that's the great power of 3D printing, custom jobs are always the best
Colin,
Both Rovers looking good cheers for the pic!
As another quick update, we have printed three instrument covers for a boat owner (140mm in diameter to give an idea of size) with the OEM's logo across the top. White to reduce the heat Also updated the design for the custom Electronic Finder at the request of the member and re-printed for him. This one is structurally more rigid with the slots for mounting refined as well to suit his lens/camera combo. Currently looking at a custom finderscope shoe bracket and even a baht mask that can be moved out of the way without needing to be removed off the OTA!
Received my Bhatinov the other day (have been meaning to post sooner sorry!), and am very pleased with the quality, packaging and the cute spanner it comes with
Put it to use a couple of nights ago and works a charm.
Hi John,
It's a Bahtinov mask for the Rover, it slides over the tube (like the cover that comes with the scope). Colin got the telescope's name printed on the mask too for a little authenticity
That's a great idea! It can be such a pain looking through the polar scope and then careful removing it/adding the DSLR in fear of moving the set up.
Should be able to do it without needing it sent down as hot shoes are standard sized (can use my DSLR for ref) and all I'd need is the diameter of the polar scope. I can make it an interference fit for the polar scope so it just pushes through the printed holder, no need for any locking mechanisms for easy set up/down.
Shoot me a PM and we can take it from there PS had a good laugh at your tumblr link
Thanks Bret! Glad they fitted straight away, good measurements you sent me
As another update, few more things completed and more under works
The Electronic Finder for a fellow IISer has been fitted using the 3D printed bracket, and works like a charm. The setup will now be run remotely!
Printed a f/6 'stopper' for a pentax 6x7 lens to help slow it down for widefield works
Dustcaps for a Tak system (some which fit over the item, others that drop in)
Two baht masks - the smaller one to slide over an ST80, and the larger one to sit inside a newt on the secondary vanes with the mask centered by the secondary via the circular cutout
A third baht mask (no image yet) for a 100ED which has a little handle in the middle to assist in removing the mask inside the dewshield
Always lots of ideas being discussed with members, keep them coming!
Hello everyone,
Purchased a bahtinov mask printed by Meru with a small knob in the centre for pulling it off the scope and the name of the scope printed on the front of mask.
It looks great and does the job of focusing the scope using Backyard eos.
I can see a lot ideas for making gear using a 3d printer and not just astro gear.
Well done Meru,
Printed a f/6 'stopper' for a pentax 6x7 lens to help slow it down for widefield works
Very happy with the f/6 aperture mask for my Pentax 6x7 lens that Meru 3d printed for me. It fits perfectly - exactly as I wanted
I'm now considering what other goodies I can get printed
I was hoping to have some pics taken with it to show off by now but it clouds up every time I even think about heading away to a dark site.
My job tonight is to calculate all of the dimensions and angles to get a "plate" made to attach a Robo Focuser to my focuser via the Finder scope area as the bottom of my focuser is round and experience obscene amounts of flexure when trying to attach a flat plate Heads up to Meru... I'll probably get it wrong the first time haha
Wayne,
Appreciate the feedback mate, looking forward to developing more of your ideas
Pete,
Thanks for the comments - Glad to hear it fitted perfectly the first time! It must have attracted those clouds
Phil,
It was good fun getting those designed with the OEM's logo on them
Lewis,
First time I did a glow in the dark print - pretty exciting. Looking forward to working on your projects.
Colin,
Can't wait to see if the dimensions all line up straight off the bat! Might have to keep this one away from your dog
All,
Another round of updates with two new additions - can now print in glow in the dark blue and green, as well as translucent material! Unfortunately don't have images for everything. Been a great year and looking forward to working with more members to get their concepts off the ground:
Currently developing a custom flange to mount a Robofocus unit to the focuser unit designed to only use only existing fastener holes
Printed two custom brackets to support two Reinshaw Encoders on a member's Equatorial mount to help digitise. Also looking into 2D files for laser cutting various parts
Re-designing the custom Secondary I initially posted for a 'v2' iteration
A polarscope holder that slides into the hot show on top of the vixen polarie
An f/6 stopper for a fast 5" Apo to help slow it down
Printed three white caps with the OEM's logo inlaid for instruments on a member's boat
Plenty of caps - for riflescopes, finderscopes, guidescopes, for missing telescope covers etc. One of them were done in glow in the dark - pretty cool!
Plenty of masks too as always - For a 10" Newt, WO100, 100ED, 80ED, 80ST and a custom 4" Apo. Each one unique (with custom names inlaid, fits over or inside the dewshield or rests on the secondary, a handle for easy removal etc)
As always, clear skies and keep those ideas coming!