Chuck, I know Mark Dakins was once toying with a split ring design for a new scope for a few years; don't know if he abandoned his plans when he built the 20" TeleKit, but you might want to contact him for ideas. Let me know if you need his email address. Rich --- Chuck Hards <chuckhards@yahoo.com> wrote:
Michael, that's what things were looking like just a few weeks ago, but fortunately things can change for the better, too. My wife got a job offer at the same company that was about to lay her off, I finally realized that I actually now know how to design in 3D on the computer (man, do old habits die hard! But you CAN teach an old dog new software, even when the textbook is 2 inches thick), and building my model airplanes again has helped me adjust my perspective on life's priorities- by the way, I just finished the first one I've done in a quarter of a century, and it's not too shabby- a DH5 in 1/72 scale.
After the "Woodshop" designs I've been campaigning for the past 6 years, I'm ready to return to composites.
I think that's the proper way to go for the complex shapes I intend to use. Extremely high rididity, strength, and light weight will be essential. The vibration-damping properties are a bonus too, even though I'm not planning on any cantilevered mass, or "virtual" counterweights (a PC name for springs, a huge band-aid and a cheat in the eyes of some ATMs).
Debbie, thanks for the ServoCat suggestion. I haven't read an astro magazine in over a year so I'm not up to speed on commercial hardware. I'll check into it further, they do state that the system works in equatorial mode as well. I'll see if they can supply engineering files so I can try and adapt it to my split-ring.
Michael Carnes wrote:
Hey Chuck, I thought you were just about retired from the scope- making business. I have absolutely nothing of value to add, design- wise, but I can't wait to see what you come up with. As far as that 12.5" prototype goes, when you're done with it, just tell me where the dumpster is 8-)
I am finally designing a telescope for a 17.5" mirror I've had for almost 20 years
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