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So this project started a year ago, some have followed it on Facebook, but thought it would be interesting to post it here and get others thoughts and input on the project. The project has really some main mission goals as well, but like everything, there are constraints. The main goals were to make a light/small obstructed electronic tilt system, make it affordable (ish), and make it precise. Like most things, you can usually only pick 2 of those things.... but I think we are getting there. So with that said, let me introduce the Electronically Assisted Tilt (EAT) device and where we currently are. I've had 3D printed prototypes of it running on a RASA 11" right now and it's been working very well. So we went ahead and machined a couple so we can build some prototypes. Basic Features
 The control box runs separate to keep bulk of the head unit down. We still use the dual clamping process as our photon cages do for stability... like most hunting scopes. Upper we are running 3D printed units to keep weight at minimum. On the computer side of things, we developed a simple interface to connect to and send commands to the computer through serial inputs. It's able to tilt across 4 major planes. (left, right, top, bottom, tl-br, tr-bl) Currently adjustments are pretty close to micron level so works well with something like Hocus Focus in terms of accuracy. Here we get tilt down to about 1-3 microns pretty consistently. Backfocus can also be adjusted independently, rotation of the camera can be changed to better orient to your setup, etc. It looks like total backfocus adjustment is around 2.5mm in and out, while tilting can max at around 1-1.5mm difference.... though if you setup right, you should never have to tilt that much or else something is drastically wrong... I think right now, it's really good for dialing in final values of bf/tilt, not for acting as spacers or overcoming large hardware issues.  The EAT is light enough I feel comfortable hanging off the front of an astrograph's corrector... Only slightly over the recommended obstruction of a 11" RASA, precise enough for full frame at F/2, getting to the above is fairly easy to do all while remotely operated. The operational benefits here I see are really something remote observatory users will like? I'd like to get some other thoughts out there on specific needs, or wishlist items (doable or not) just to see if we can incorporate good ideas into one. I know that some will say just buy BlurX, but I'm past that conversation. Astrophotography is always a ( Hardware² * Software² ) = Best Astrophotography equation to me. I envision tools like Hocus Focus taking initial runs of focus curves, measuring tilt, running a baseline move, and then adjusting this sort of stuff automatically just like Electronic Focusing has done for the hobby... might be a few years away, but that's the goal. Any input welcome... and yes, we will still be making Photon Cages because simple, more affordable(ish) solutions work great as well. Posted a little more info here: https://www.asgastronomy.com/asg-electronically-assisted-tilt-eat-project/ |
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| Fantastic idea which I would get in a heartbeat if made affordable. And yes, BlurX is wonderful but not a panacea to cure everything. Even Russ Croman makes that crystal clear. I use your PC now, and for my scope being over 8ft above the observatory floor, this would be a fantastic solution for me. Please keep us posted. |
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You have great vision! Soon enough, Rotation-Tilt-Focus will be a routine process for fast remote telescopes. Great ! What about price? |
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Spacetime Pictures: I knew that would be a question, but will work on that part... I want to get some verification first that it all works well first, get kinks out before we go down that road. |
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| Wow great stuff Josh!! |
