Computer Aided Design - Custom Parts

In the construction of the observatory I have designed and manufactured many custom components.

Computer Aided Design images of two of these components, the Pier to mount the scope and optics on, and the Adaptive Optics Bracing Cage are shown here.

The pier is designed to provide high structural rigidity for the optics. It’s manufactured from stainless steel for corrosion resistance and stiffness. Around the main column are various trays which hold power supplies and auxiliary equipment. The many holes in these trays provide cable management for the wiring. There are also 6 UK double mains outlets fitted below the trays. The main column is hollow and was designed to be filled with sand to damp any vibrations although in use this hasn’t been required. An adjustable top plate provides levelling by adjusting the ring of bolts around the outside.

The AO Bracing Cage is CNC machined from 6082T6 grade Aluminium and clear anodised. It transfers the mechanical loading of the Optical Train around the AO unit. This is required as the mass of the guider assembly used is much more than the standard Starlight-Xpress unit and would otherwise over stress the AO Unit.

Two inch SCT threads provide solid connections as well as a VSI compatible tapered flange to directly couple to the rotator. This cage with the rest of the optical components makes an extremely stable optical train with almost no flexure. Internal faces adjacent to the optical path have fine ridges in them and are painted matt black to reduce internal reflections.