Me and a colleague of mine have recently started 3D printing, just small odd jobs for friends and family. I mentioned that there may be members on IIS who may wish to simply use a 3D printer ('BYO' Design), or request for parts to be designed and printed (Full service). So I figured why not post here and see if anyone is interested
We are both Engineers (Aerospace & Mechatronics) and highly proficient in CAD modelling. We have access to multiple printers and a variety of colours and material types. Anything from custom finderscope holders, EP holders/racks, custom boxes for electronics (i.e. dew heater controllers), spacers, replacement dust covers/caps, baht masks of any size, dovetails, knobs, adapters, spacers - you name it It is so cheap to print these days and can be completely customised to meet your exact needs. Of course, we can also help print anything outside of astronomy too
Please PM me if you are interested in having a part made up. Hope we can help out here!
Thanks for all your requests, it's been great helping out the members Apart from custom one-off designs, a common request is for Bahtinov masks. The prices are as follows:
For masks 0-200mm, we can 3D print for only $30 posted and can add the following features if you wish:
*Your choice of colour
*Can add text you wish to embed on the mask (name/club name, scope details, OD of mask etc)
*Various styles to secure to the scope such as via tabs, full lip, drop-in etc
*Can add a little handle in the center so it's easy to pull the mask out
*Can accommodate any other specific requests
For masks above 200mm, we will do laser-cut 6mm MDF masks. Can customise with 3D printed parts if needed, PM for quotes.
If you are interested in a baht mask, please PM and be sure to provide *all* the dimensions needed.
Thanks again and looking forward to helping out
Cheers,
Meru
Last edited by Meru; 20-07-2015 at 07:46 AM.
Reason: Ad updated
A couple of examples we've made recently for IIS members. Two different styles of printed masks (one with a notch in the middle to remove from a lens, and another with tabs on the end to go over a 100ED). We also helped develop a custom secondary with vortex-style vents to assist with dew issues (cross-section views attached)
Another update First is a custom knob for a feathertouch focuser. An IIS member came up with an idea of attaching a large wheel to the 10:1 focusing knob of his feathertouch to make life easier As you can see in the cross-section view, we have added some knurling to the surface to help with grip, gave it a hollow section to save weight and strengthened the area where the grub screw would be tapped in to secure it over the 10:1 wheel.
Second are tabs we developed which slide over any wooden baht masks, if you wanted a mask that sits over the telescope rather than inside it. We are also working on a custom radial block for a C8 to help seat the guider package correctly, and even helping produce a repair part for a watercooler!
Just received my new Feathertouch fine focuser knobbys 3D printed by Meru and Co. Very, very happy with them. I used a hot air gun to snuggly fit it on and it looks like I wont need the "just in case" grub screw. Looks and feels very accurately made and the serrations on the outside match very well with the Feathertouch coarse focuser knobs. I think they are going to be great.
Thank you Barry for the feedback! Glad it mated perfectly, the measurements you gave were exact Look forward to helping you again in the future if you don't end up buying a printer
Very excited to say we another printer on the way which has a much larger build volume, meaning not only can we print larger objects but also offer Baht masks up to 200mm. Prices updated above
Another update. We are currently printing two custom caps for a member who owns a custom-built refractor, with one cap sliding inside the dew shield with ribs and the other sitting on the outside We also got asked to print a replica part from a broken water cooler as the OEM would not send a replacement (a small plastic thumb wheel). Possibilities are endless!
I agree with Barry's comments about the knob for the Feathertouch. I fitted the gold coloured version to the focuser on my Televue Genesis, it is ideal for the job. Meru designed and printed the knob exactly as specified, including the custom colour and at a very reasonable price. I now have some other custom items on the way.
Just some quick feedback, I was hoping to do a proper review including a star test but the clouds have stopped me in my tracks!
I bought a Baht mask for my C925 off Meru and after some drams where Aus post lost it for two weeks, I finally took possession last week. The mask is wood due to the larger diameter and the clips 3D printed, both of really nice quality and the fit up was bang on to the dimensions I provided so a happy customer here.
Last edited by The_bluester; 08-07-2015 at 04:28 PM.
Thanks Paul! Yes it was quite a marathon to get Auspost on our side (even then, questionable) but glad the items reached you safely in the end. Thanks again for the feedback and look forward to more items in the future
Just another update. The new printer has arrived and has a huge build volume! The quality of finish is very nice, and with an accuracy of 100 micron (0.1mm) we can print some pretty fine things. Attached are a selection of items have recently printed using both printers:
Custom electronics box for a member with a request for orange colour for high vis
Two custom telescope covers (one with an external lip to go over the dewshield, one with an internal lip to side inside with ribs) with text inlay of the telescope maker. The covers will be 'lacquered' by a light acetone brushing which will give them a very nice and smooth finish
A custom focuser adapter plate - It is to replace the standard plate that comes with the Bintel 2" Crayford Focuser to fit a 10" Skywatcher Dob without having to drill new holes in the tube. The the Bintel plate is only 90x90mm where the Skywatcher is 105x105mm with different hole centres, and also with different curvatures. In this case the member (JoelyE95) supplied the STL design file so we simply provided a printing service
Next is an assortment of masks for various telescopes - including set of three masks for different focal lengths on a FSQ106
Lastly, the prices for the masks have been updated to a simplier structure (one price for all printed masks). Looking forward to helping out more and keep the ideas coming! Clear skies
Your parts 3D printed!
It is so cheap to print these days and can be completely customised to meet your exact needs. Of course, we can also help print anything outside of astronomy too 
As you can see in the cross-section view, we have added some knurling to the surface to help with grip, gave it a hollow section to save weight and strengthened the area where the grub screw would be tapped in to secure it over the 10:1 wheel. 
