[ATM] Testing the limits of ATM technology

["Daniel Bakken" <dan@runway.net>]

Greetings fellow ATMers

 

Daniel Bakken here, builder of Hercules, the 41" portable scope. I haven't
been around much in the last few years, been busy with a new small business,
wife and house (especially building a home theater)! After using Hercules
for the last 8 years, I feel it is time for a rebuild. I have been spending
countless hours on the archive searching for information on the frontiers of
ATM technology. I want to rebuild my scope using the best new ideas to be
stiffer, more accurate (slewing accuracy), and lighter, in that order. My
current scope is pretty much the same as shown on the web,
http://www.runway.net/pilots/dan/. I am pretty sure I want to utilize string
concepts ala Dan Gray, and probably much of his mount as well with a flex
rocker built primarily of aluminum. Seeing this at Dan's 28" size in person
at OSP this year, convinced me that this is possible on a 41".

 

What I would like the experts here to do is comment on ideas you have! I am
particularly interested in: Carbon fiber tubes for the three truss tubes,
upper ring construction, especially carbon fiber with possibly aluminum
honeycomb composite, or other stiff construction ideas, materials and advice
on a pyramidal spider (carbon fiber, Dibond?), ideas on mirror cell design,
especially edge support, and ways to move the scope from trailer to ground
as I don't want it to sit on wheels while observing anymore.

 

I am hoping by stretching the limits, the list will benefit, as well as
Hercules. I am an engineer, but not a practicing mechanical engineer. I
don't mind exploring any ideas, even if some may be expensive (what isn't at
this size?). The more applicable the information the better, as in what will
likely be stiff enough for the application and what would be too wimpy. For
example the truss tubes currently at 1.125" diameter are probably
undersized, although it does function, just not stiff enough. The current
scope is also very susceptible to wind, probably the spider and truss tube
poles are to blame. I will try to be available to the list as a resource as
well. Thanks to all who have helped me out in the past!!!

 

 

Dan 

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