jarl72

Hello people,

I haven't lurked around here in a long while, in part due to being tinkering with my 3D printer

I just wanted to add something to the discussion: if/when any of you decide to buy one of those extremely cheap 3D printers, please find out if safety measures were dropped in the process of cutting the price down, and if so please correct that ASAP. I have see several articles about fires started by 3D printers (Anet A8 printers running firmware without thermal runaway protection come to mind).
Have an extinguisher at hand, and resist the urge to leave your printer working in the basement while you go upstairs for long stretches of time.

https://www.thissmarthouse.net/dont-burn-your-house-down-3d-printing-a-cautionary-tale/

Cheers!  

43 minutes ago, dyfiastro said:

I hope you dont mind me asking. I am using the 5v 28YBJ-48 Stepper Motor but to directly drive a crayford on a 130PDS.
Having done the first test today I noted that it took 1500 unit steps to cover the full throw of the focuser.
Is this enough or would I need to increase the number of steps? What should I be aiming for?
I noticed that in the code you use 8 steps for every ascom unit, as I am using a direct connection to the focuser would I be better to reduce the number of steps per unit to allow for finer control?

I'm not familiar with that focuser, but there's something weird with that number. If the motor you are using is similar to this one:
https://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/SmallSteppers
 

...it mentions a (close to) 64:1 reduction at the output, with at least 2048 steps per revolution. Does that mean your focuser takes 3/4 of a turn for full travel?
How long is the in-out travel of the focuser?

I don't know how much your lid weights or how to dimension this so it won't be too hard for your actuator to *close* the lid. Maybe a company where you can return things with not too many questions asked is better?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Force-Stroke-Support-Struts-Spring/dp/B00A14IWAU

Uhm... I can't edit my posts yet

youtube.com/watch?v=jQP0rO2kNO0

What I had in mind was to replace one of the actuators with a spring-loaded <something> that would reduce the amount of force needed by the actuator to open the lid. Like the struts that help opening a hatchback's rear gate.

Maybe for the next one

Great thread

Something that got me thinking is the use of two actuators for the lid... If either one of them fails the lid won't close, meaning you have twice the chance of something not working as intended. Have you considered using some conterweight/spring/something to help opening the lid with just one actuator?