[ATM] Re: Second Thoughts on Mirror Support

[iss at pvtnetworks.net (Andy Saulietis)]

Tom Krajci asks,



>What other evidence is out there that this support scheme (single rigid
>plate, RTV'd to mirror) works for various size/thickness mirrors?

I tried using medium soft rubber buttons, 9 points,
with 3 Coulter 17.5" mirrors 1 5/8" thick, with 1/2"
thick Al plate. Seemed to work OK on 2 of the 3, but
these were relatively thick mirrors, not glued to
the support points. These were later converted to 9 point
flotation mounts.

IMHO gluing a mirror to a solid substrate having
a different CTE is asking for trouble. Mounting a
commercial scope this way is just a way to save $.


Andy Saulietis
ISS Enterprises
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