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Old 18-10-2019, 06:19 AM
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Astrofriend (Lars)
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3D printer for astronomy

Hi,
I think a 3D printer must be perfect for my astronomy hobby. With that I can print adapters and other parts that's not so easy to find.

I will write about the items I print later, but forst I must assemble the printer I bought. When I do this I also get knowledge how to rebuilt it later to achive higher precision.

If you have the same idea, have a look here how long I have come:
http://www.astrofriend.eu/3d-printin...ter-setup.html

Almost there, just have to figure out how to setup the VS Code software to compile and upload the software to the 3D printer. It's my first 3D printer and a lot of new things to learn.

But it's very exiting.

I wrote a little about this 3D printer in the thread where I rebuild my EQ6 mount.

/Lars
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Old 18-10-2019, 05:37 PM
snowyskiesau
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I've been playing around with 3D printers for about 6 years and they have certainly come a long way! My original printer was a DIY one from kit parts and took a lot of fiddling to get it to print correctly.
Earlier this year, I bought a Creality Ender 5. Mostly pre-assembled , printed near perfect out of the box - i.e. no tuning require.
I've since done some modifications (mostly 3D printed parts) and upgraded the stepper drivers. Quality is excellent and with the driver update, almost silent.


It's current job is printing stepper motor mounts for my Vixen GP mount so I can install the OnStep controller. I've had to make a few changes from the only stepper mounts I could find that suit an SP mount but all that each test takes, is a bit of time and a few metres of extrusion.
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Old 18-10-2019, 06:27 PM
Ukastronomer (Jeremy)
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I have been into IT for 40 years and have built all computers since 486's, started three computer clubs and taught IT and yet a 3ED printer is one thing that I really can see no use for in either my Astronomy or as a Photographer
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Old 18-10-2019, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ukastronomer View Post
I have been into IT for 40 years and have built all computers since 486's, started three computer clubs and taught IT and yet a 3ED printer is one thing that I really can see no use for in either my Astronomy or as a Photographer
Lots of uses. Here are the first two links I came across by searching our forums here: Barndoor tracker and motor holder. Plenty of more examples.

For more inspiration, have a look at Thingiverse where you can find finished designs for laser holders, camera housings, cooler mounts, pier mounts, spacers, adapters etc.

And let's not forget the Bahtinov masks. And various replacement caps/lids which always disappear in the dark
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Old 18-10-2019, 10:44 PM
Ukastronomer (Jeremy)
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Remember I said "I" meaning me, have found no uses


.
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Old 18-10-2019, 11:17 PM
Pepper (Steve)
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My bro has a 3D printer, he printed me a bahtinov mask last weekend.
So fast! Had the part that arvo. Took longer to drive there and back.
So handy. With excellent precision.
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Old 19-10-2019, 12:22 AM
Ukastronomer (Jeremy)
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For me it took 10 minutes, a knife and cardboard total cost less than $1.

http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles...inov-mask.html

Still there may be something a printer is good for................ ?
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Old 19-10-2019, 01:05 AM
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that_guy (Tony)
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3d printers make creating custom brackets for stepper motors (autofocusers) a breeze. It was cheaper for me to buy the electronic components (stepper motor, arduino, motor controller) and an Ender 3 to print a bracket, than it was for me to buy a brand new mass manufactured autofocuser. Bonus is that if anything breaks, I can just print a new one for less than a buck!
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Old 19-10-2019, 07:47 AM
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or THIS ....

Best
JA

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Old 19-10-2019, 09:58 AM
dikman (Richard)
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Jeremy, there are many people who can't see any need (use?) for a 3D printer. I was a bit like that but decided perhaps I should learn something about them, so I built a kit. An interesting experience, but I had no idea what I would use it for.
Since then I have built a model of the Liberator from Blake's 7 (something I'd always wanted but couldn't find), a large Madcat from Battletech and I'm partway through a Dalek.
I've made several parts to improve the operation of my (ammunition) reloading presses, toolholders for my lathes, some bits and pieces for my leatherwork hobby, a couple of 3-cell holders (for 81650 batteries) to drive my 6SE and various other stuff.


I have a couple of lathes, vertical mill, all manner of power tools, a forge, several industrial sewing machines - in short, I like making things - and I've found the 3D printer to be a very useful addition.
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Old 21-10-2019, 02:49 PM
sunslayr (David)
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I've found my 3d printer to be amazingly usefull for astronomy, Its great for making brackets and adapters for my cameras and lenses. I used it to make an electronic focuser as well, much cheaper than a commercial solution. If you dial it in tight enough you can even print custom length threaded spacers, not quite as durable as turning one on a laythe, but much more accessable.
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Old 22-10-2019, 12:21 PM
snowyskiesau
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sunslayr View Post
I've found my 3d printer to be amazingly usefull for astronomy, Its great for making brackets and adapters for my cameras and lenses. I used it to make an electronic focuser as well, much cheaper than a commercial solution. If you dial it in tight enough you can even print custom length threaded spacers, not quite as durable as turning one on a laythe, but much more accessable.

I'm printing some stepper mounts for my Vixen GP OnStep upgrade. I've been able to print a few iterations with minor changes, something rather time consuming if I made them in metal (no access to metal working tools anyway)
To build the OnStep controller I decided I needed a PCB holder so printed one. These normally sell for $150 or so , all it cost me is a few metres of plastic and a few hours waiting.
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Old 22-10-2019, 06:23 PM
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Not to start a debate or anything but does this count? Free .STL for all.
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Last edited by LostInSp_ce; 22-10-2019 at 08:02 PM.
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Old 29-10-2019, 10:00 AM
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Astrofriend (Lars)
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Hi,
Perfect, that's something I will print out as soon I have the 3D printer working. But lot of things to do now, I'm building a new Home Theatre with 4k big screen. Perfect to view the astronomy photos at later.

I have downloaded the Canon lid. Is it your own construction, or?


Thanks a lot for all comments from all of you !

/Lars
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Old 29-10-2019, 12:33 PM
dikman (Richard)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LostInSp_ce View Post
Not to start a debate or anything but does this count? Free .STL for all.

Certainly does! Another file to add to my growing collection.
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Old 04-11-2019, 06:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Astrofriend View Post
I have downloaded the Canon lid. Is it your own construction, or?
Yes it's my own little construction.
It can be printed with various polymers, PLA, ABS, TPU or carbon fibre are all fine. However, if your climate is extreme then I recommend using a Polycarbonate.

Slicer settings:
40% infill
10% support density (increase if using PVA for support).
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Old 26-12-2020, 10:07 AM
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Astrofriend (Lars)
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My 3D-printer have collected a lof uf dust now, more than a year since last time I tried to get it in work. Now with never version of software everything looks to work, maybe I can do a test print tomorrow.

I have written it down what I have done:
http://www.astrofriend.eu/3d-printin...ter-setup.html

The new is at page 12 and 13, 13 is not finished yet, but will come in a few days I hope.

If I succes in this I can 3D-print all the diffcult parts I need, adpaters, holders, gears etc.

/Lars
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Old 26-12-2020, 07:34 PM
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want to see some things that can be made with a 3d printer, one of the best kits 3d printers around Prusa MK2s (later model now available) these are only a few of the things I've made using mine
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Old 28-12-2020, 12:27 AM
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Astrofriend (Lars)
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Is it a Vixen dovetail holder ? How much weight can you trust it to hold ?

/Lars
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Old 28-12-2020, 01:39 PM
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Its a losmandy D mount holder would not use it for a scope

Last edited by TrevorW; 28-12-2020 at 04:41 PM.
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