Getting back into imaging after a long break

[Gina]

A couple of photos that show how I'm planning to mount the parts on the dovetail bar.  Just roughly placed.  Having the focus gear beyond the end means that the focus motor can be mounted further down on a shorter bracket, with the gear going below the dovetail bar.  This is just a mock-up, I'm still planning to make all the brackets in one print.

[Chriske]

On 04/02/2019 at 00:11, Gina said:

I might make a combined print for holding camera, focus motor and electronics.  That would want just four screws to attach it to the dovetail bar.

How so..?

[Gina]

Hold on, I'm just designing it now...

[Gina]

Model of brackets for camera and focus motor.  Found covers for the fuses so I see no point in designing and printing a new electronics box.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Gina

[Chriske]

Not a good idea imo Gina, to make this clamp very strong you need to make it in three parts and bolt together.

[Gina]

The total weight of the rig is less than a Kilogram and PETG is strong - particularly this thick, so I think the bracket is strong enough.  Anyone else have an opinion on this?

OTOH I guess over-engineering is not such a bad idea in view of the cost of the camera.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Gina

[Chriske]

It has noting to do with weight Gina, not at all...!
I'm always very careful myself when designing such a clamp.
Point is : When the screw is fastened a bit to tense the upper part could break. Maybe not the first time, but in time it could break.

To be strong in the direction the screws are mounted you should print it in the opposite direction. Whatever you do, how hard you turn that knob, there's no way it will ever break. Maybe, just maybe it well bend, but it never will break.
I would not over-engineer it at all myself either, but I would print it in the other direction, logic, not..?
If it were a part of no importance I(maybe) would print it just the same. But in this case, well....

[Gina]

I see what you're saying - it's relying on good inter-layer bonding which PETG is famous for but... 

[Chriske]

1 minute ago, Gina said:

I see what you're saying - it's relying on good inter-layer bonding which PETG is famous for but... 

Indeed....but....

[Gina]

Trouble is, to avoid relying on inter-layer bonding it will need 90-100mm long bolts.

Edited February 5, 2019 by Gina

[Gina]

How about this orientation, Chris?

[Chriske]

Was away, looks so much better..!

[Gina]

Decided to try it this way - the side slots match up with the cooling fins in the camera.

[Chriske]

You'll need a bit  of support if you print it this way.
Looks good..

[Gina]

Will see about support.  Let's see if it can cope with those bridges ?

[Chriske]

It will be difficult I think because of that big hole. These printers can handle straight bridges, but in your case a bit of that circle will sag.

[Gina]

You are right!  It did but worse was that the print parted from the bed after a couple more layers.  However, it holds the camera very firmly without the top/back part.  The arch at the top of the camera is very stiff.  I may print it again but without the back ring.  I'll sort that out tomorrow.

[Gina]

Camera held by two brackets (avoiding printed bridges).  The focus motor bracket will be attached to the lens rather than the camera bracket or dovetail and the electronics box will be attached to the dovetail separately.

[Gina]

Focus motor bracket printed and installed together with stepper motor - now wants a pinion designed and printed.  Electronics box also attached to dovetail bar - just needs a lid now.

[Filroden]

My 1600 runs quite hot. Would that impact the brackets? They could raise camera temperature, or deform?

[Gina]

Does it?  I haven't found that with mine (and I have two).

[Gina]

As can be seen in the DIY Observatories forum, I have some work to do on the observatory though it is usable.

[Gina]

Been looking at my workings on astro images with PixInsight and it's a complete fog!!   Looks like it's going to be a re-learning job.  At least I've got the book!  PixInsight is mighty powerful and mighty complicated!  I need to sort this out both so that I can resume astro imaging and processing and also for the image processing part of my talk on astro-photography to our village social group later in the year or next year (date not fixed yet).  I've also tried PI to enhance my ASC images and it's mind-blowing!

[happy-kat]

I'd keep the window open so as not to price scare during your talk by also mentioning the competent but vastly price friendly StarTools.

[Gina]

I'll take a look at StarTools - thank you