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Finally made an R/C Collimation adapter

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#51 Mert

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Posted 26 June 2022 - 03:54 AM

Ok, I was wondering about the FWHM values.

Edited by Mert, 26 June 2022 - 03:55 AM.


#52 nateman_doo

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Posted 26 June 2022 - 11:00 AM

I can probably just upload one of the subs if you want? 



#53 Mert

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Posted 26 June 2022 - 11:09 AM

No need for that, I am convinced that your collimation has improved

substantially with the collimation backplate you have made.

Also you have been able to eliminate the tilt completely, super result!!


Edited by Mert, 26 June 2022 - 11:10 AM.


#54 nateman_doo

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Posted 01 July 2022 - 10:46 PM

Just some updates after all the codes have been optimized.  I wonder how this would have been made on a manual mill?

 

bvo5rT3.jpg

i4a1MRZ.jpg

o1Zl42O.jpg


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#55 Mert

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Posted 02 July 2022 - 10:08 AM

drool.gif looking very nice waytogo.gif

 



#56 nateman_doo

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Posted 02 July 2022 - 12:13 PM

Thanks!  This is my first customer.  Pulled all the stops.  Let me know if you are interested ;) 


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#57 nateman_doo

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Posted 05 July 2022 - 09:33 PM

Ready to cut the Aluminum feet:

npLcL5x.jpg

 

Extended Collimation screws installed:

XQJDWuh.jpg


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#58 nateman_doo

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Posted 07 July 2022 - 02:44 PM

Here is the weight, as some of have asked:

 

ZWT2xLPl.jpg

 

22.2 ounces   /  1.39 lbs.  This does not add to your focuser weight though.  This weight is held by 3 M6 screws that the backplate handles 


Edited by nateman_doo, 07 July 2022 - 02:48 PM.

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#59 Mert

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 11:40 AM

That's aprox. 630 gram isn't it? Not bad at all :waytogo:


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#60 TopherTheME

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Posted 09 July 2022 - 11:58 AM

Can you talk a bit about how you thread milled that OD thread? Ive wanted to try thread milling on my CNC but I've always chickened out and done it on my lathe.
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#61 nateman_doo

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Posted 11 July 2022 - 01:06 PM



Can you talk a bit about how you thread milled that OD thread? Ive wanted to try thread milling on my CNC but I've always chickened out and done it on my lathe.

Ironic, I just finished using the lathe to thread a custom adapter for my 102 Refractor.  I HATE the way the thumb screws dont really engage the focal reducer, so I mated an adapter to each.  Now I never have to worry about any type of focuser sag.  AT ALL.

 

JAJrShTh.jpg

5PsnjAYh.jpg

 

 

MIC DROP RIGHT HERE:

N7cGRIp.png

snoopy2.gif


Edited by nateman_doo, 11 July 2022 - 01:07 PM.


#62 nateman_doo

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Posted 11 July 2022 - 01:13 PM

Can you talk a bit about how you thread milled that OD thread? Ive wanted to try thread milling on my CNC but I've always chickened out and done it on my lathe.

But, to answer your question, I hand typed the G-code for it.  Since its M90x1.0, I have to convert everything into standard.  Its a G03 code that wraps around, 0.5mm on each line.  But first when prototyping it, I walk it down.  I go into notepad and open the text file, and just walk the radius down slowly and keep attempting to thread until it comes out perfect  https://i.imgur.com/yQCptmVh.mp4

 

So each line is going down 0.01968505 at a time.  I think my program has a few widgets to do it with, but I dont trust them, so I hand jam it.  Learning the G-code pays dividends.

 

I actually find it very difficult to do metric threading on the lathe, because I have to keep the half-nut engaged on all the threading operations.  So its not like threading standard, where you can disengage and bring it back to the same number, it is locked in.  I can't disengage any gears at all.  It's quite frustrating.  

 

nu6aXYvl.jpg

Had to chop off my first attempt.  Second time worked better.


Edited by nateman_doo, 11 July 2022 - 01:37 PM.


#63 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 07:16 AM

Sitting here staring at the 10" R/C I think this plate will be compatible.  The feet themselves just may need to be slightly altered.  The collimation screws may be far enough out of the way or some gentle tweaks to the plate.

RC 10 Back.JPG

 

 

 

If someone has a 10" and can weigh in with a measurement or 2, that would be helpful.  


Edited by nateman_doo, 14 July 2022 - 07:18 AM.


#64 avarakin

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 09:02 AM

I have 10" but I think that 10" can be modified much simpler. Moonlite was making an adapter but stopped. Tolga has a video on how he installed the adapter.



#65 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 01:23 PM

I have 10" but I think that 10" can be modified much simpler. Moonlite was making an adapter but stopped. Tolga has a video on how he installed the adapter.

link?  Not sure who Tolga is.

 

Here is a rough draft of the 6" version.  I dont have the 6" version yet, but I can adjust this to the critical dimensions.  

6RC.JPG



#66 pfile

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 03:09 PM

tolga is an imager who became a retailer.

 

the video seems to be gone from youtube but here is the thread announcing the part. i have one of these but never installed it.

 

https://www.cloudyni...ror-for-10-rcs/

 

i can take whatever measurements you want on the 10" RC, let me know.

 

rob


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#67 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 04:35 PM

tolga is an imager who became a retailer.

i can take whatever measurements you want on the 10" RC, let me know.

 

rob

Sad the video doesnt load.  If you want to help out for the good of the order of the RC.. then yea if you can measure the following (ball park works)

RC10.JPG

 

From the outer ring (is it M90 x 1.0?) to the point A (the closest distance  from the ring to the start of the flat spot - where I could mount feet), and distance B, which I can see if my plate will block the factory collimation screws.  I am wondering if my 8" setup can bolt right to the 10" without blocking anything except maybe a small portion of the fans, but there is plenty of gap between the plate (remember the underside is hollowed out some) to not affect the air flow.

 

and by the outer ring, I mean with your collars screwed on.  You dont have to take your image train apart on my account.  I can go outside and measure my 8" setup in the same manor and see if things work.  



#68 pfile

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 04:54 PM

the telescope is sitting on its objective in my bedroom with no focuser attached. i can't measure from the stock focuser because i'm not even sure i have it anymore.

 

measured from the edge of the focuser attachment ring (which eems to have OD of 116.65mm), to point A: 34.5mm and to point B: 67.1mm. not sure what the thread pitch is for the focuser attachment but 1mm seems right.

 

rob



#69 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 05:13 PM

RC10.JPG

rounded up a bit just in case.  Will check against mine.



#70 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 05:37 PM

Just based on the OD of your attachment rings, a new one will have to be designed to accommodate the larger focuser, but the OD of the plate will work. It clears the factory collimation screws.  So either way, until someone sends a 10" backplate it will simply be in the CAD phase.  

 

I do have a 6" on the way at some point, so that will come to fruition in the next week or 2.  



#71 pfile

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 05:57 PM

i have a 6" but it is currently on the mount. i do have some extension rings so i can tell you the OD of the focuser attachment. there is a moonlite focuser attached to this one so i won't be able to make measurements from the center accurately, but i guess i could tell you the OD of the OTA itself and how far away from the edge of the telescope the collimation screws are.

 

rob



#72 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 06:01 PM

the OD of the attachment rings will do just fine.  the factory collimation screws should be in the same place as the 8" so just that A measurement would help refine the above 6" version until I can prototype it. 

 

This.JPG

 

Looks like half an inch TOPS from the extension tubes


Edited by nateman_doo, 14 July 2022 - 06:05 PM.


#73 pfile

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 06:15 PM

lol my cat is sleeping on top of the RC6 box which is where the extensions are. but i found the old focuser sitting out and the ID of the female end is about 89mm. in a few hours i can try to measure "A" on the RC6

 

rob



#74 nateman_doo

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Posted 14 July 2022 - 06:24 PM

take your time, zero rush.



#75 nateman_doo

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Posted 15 July 2022 - 12:26 AM

So here is the first image with the new plate.  Some generic processing, with almost zero cropping so you can check out the corners of the image.  

 

 

 

mQVEi9V.jpg

 

 

I am planning to dedicate much more time on this target, but I am happy with the star shapes throughout despite not having the best guiding.  


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