3D printer for astronomy

[Astrofriend]

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-printing/3d-printer-setup/01-3d-printer-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

[snowyskiesau]

I've been playing around with 3D printers for about 6 years and they have certainly come a long way! 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igDWWMNKCKAa20NkUq6dHWTMvHsIPIgjgZk wOzUootOkLKosBx9/OKKAZ8piiigAiiigCgtFFJArQxRQAxQRQBQ RRQBQWiikAIhiigCIgtFFAARBFFAFaAiKKA C0FoooB//2Q==) 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. (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj__-zqpKXlAhVB63MBHR5vDOAQFjAMegQIAxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dprintersonl inestore.com%2Fcreality-ender5-3d-printer&usg=AOvVaw2CQ9tdYPPIYYfwQkLwCf_q) 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.

[Ukastronomer]

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 :)

[luka]

Lots of uses. Here are the first two links I came across by searching our forums here: Barndoor tracker (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=175920) and motor holder (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=170810). Plenty of more examples.

For more inspiration, have a look at Thingiverse (https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=astronomy&dwh=425da9ade20d22d) where you can find finished designs for laser holders (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3358664), camera housings (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1371445), cooler mounts (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1014805), pier mounts (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1578347), spacers, adapters etc.

And let's not forget the Bahtinov masks. And various replacement caps/lids which always disappear in the dark :lol:

[Ukastronomer]

Remember I said "I" meaning me, have found no uses


.

[Pepper]

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.

[Ukastronomer]

For me it took 10 minutes, a knife and cardboard total cost less than $1.

http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles/make-bahtinov-mask.html

Still there may be something a printer is good for................ ?

[that_guy]

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!

[JA]

:D or THIS ....

Best
JA

https://youtu.be/Hy6lA9xlPSI

[dikman]

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.:thumbsup:

[sunslayr]

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.

[snowyskiesau]

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.

[LostInSp_ce]

Not to start a debate or anything but does this count? Free .STL for all. :)

[Astrofriend]

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

[dikman]

Certainly does! Another file to add to my growing collection.:thumbsup:

[LostInSp_ce]

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).

[Astrofriend]

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-printing/3d-printer-setup/01-3d-printer-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

[TrevorW]

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 :)

[Astrofriend]

Is it a Vixen dovetail holder ? How much weight can you trust it to hold ?

/Lars

[TrevorW]

Its a losmandy D mount holder would not use it for a scope ;)

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

I am very interested in the 3D/Scanner mainly due to having a dob goto base already. I rebuilt the particle board bit to plywood and would be very interested in duplicating the telescope hubs for other homemade telescopes. Thought I could then just take the motors to the newest build/latest craze and have a goto on my active scope.

My only concern is, do the electric engines scale up in the SW series? I'm happy to remake the dob mount for a 8" F9 newt, the hand-held controller would make a lot of sense chasing planets at that level. Also later a 12" version F6, but I'm not sure if the engines would still be happy at the larger size/weights. Additionally I would like to replace the plastic gears with an cast alloy.

Keep up the good work, others are finding lots of ideas for the 3D printer and the mechanical applications are only limited by the material loaded into the spool.


Steve
Have you tried any of the held hand scanners for the file creation?

[Astrofriend]

I collect more and more konwledge about 3D printing and I'm very impressed over the rsult. Much higher precision and it's strong too. Now I'm learning 3D CAD, I use the FreeCAD which I was recommended from a friend. Not very difficult, but it take a lot of hours even for a simple drawing.

I collect my drawings on this page and soon I can have them online for download if someone fiend them interesting.

http://www.astrofriend.eu/3d-printing/3dprinting.html

What can a 3D printer do in the future ?

/Lars

[Astrofriend]

Now after some weeks of doing CAD drawings and used the 3D-printer I'm very satisfied. The drawings doesn't take days anymore to do and the 3D-printer wark as a charm. The last drawing I have made I also have uploades as STL files to be download if it's interesting:

http://www.astrofriend.eu/3d-printing/3dprinting.html

Beware, thay can have erros, but works with my AnyCube delta printer.

/Lars

[Astrofriend]

Recently I by mistake bought ABS pro filament instead of the PLA filament I have used. No problem with that, ABS can be better for in some cases. But it caused me one problem, the ABS needs some higher temperature when printing, when I increased the temperature from 220 to 245 degree Celsius on the 3D-printer it didn't get very stable, about +/-5 degrees fluctuations. I investigated how to solved that. I needed to optimize the P.I.D. parameters.

Here is the details how I solved it, wasn't very difficult when you know how to do it:
http://www.astrofriend.eu/3d-printing/3d-printer-setup/15-3d-printer-setup.html

Now it's about +/- 1 degree Celsius. Tested in the range from 220 to 245 degree.

/Lars