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Sorry to hijack the original thread here.
These two RCs are 'prototypes' effectively - so the designs have shifted over time (~ 1 year of spare time), so costs have been a bit distorted by inefficiecny. Also, the A$ has shifted so some of the outsourced components would be a lot more expensive now. Not cheap or easy to build. Currently these 12" pyrex 'budget' RC optics are no longer available from Star Intruments. Paul Jones told me he wasn't planning to do more, although they were looking at some sort of alternative mirror blank material.
I will post more pics & info in the ATM area once the scopes are assembled and collimated - hopefully early January. Most of the truss cage components could be mass produced via CNC mill in this design to save time. CNC would also allow me to lighten the plate a lot more. The threaded barrels and flanges I outsourced. I still need to prove the OTAs performance in real imaging conditions - a preliminary visual star test proved to be OK a couple of months ago. I am pleased with the results so far.
cheers
guy
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