Re: [ATM] Why is it called a "flex rocker"?

[Dale Eason <atmpob@yahoo.com>]

Vladimir Galogaza recently asked several questions
about how and why a flex rocker works in response to
several emails.  Because the replies have been by
several people and each talking about a different part
of it, I think it has gotten confused.

I would like to explain my understanding of it.  I
used a flex rocker for my scope.

http://home.comcast.net/~doeason/16inchscope.html

My design is similar to what the originator of the
design described.  That is, you want to support 4
azimuth bearings on the ground board.  A stiff rocker
makes that very hard to do. Becasue 4 points do not
define a plane.  So you need to let the structure
flex.  The idea is to support the altitude bearings so
that they don't fall on the ground.  Let the ground
board to that using the flex rocker to keep the
altitude bearings over the stiff ground board.

Vladimir asked if it was a requirment for a tri-dob
that had only three azimuth bearings.  Mel's answer
was not direct enough I think.  My take on what Mel
said is:

No, a flex rocker is not required for his tri-dob. 
But neither is a stiff rocker.  So why make a stiff
rocker when a flex will do and is easier to make?


Dale Eason



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