[ATM] Carbon Truss Alternative

[marco.pm at btopenworld.com (Marco Miglionico)]

Hello all at new list.

I've been working on designs for cheap carbon truss alternatives. My
recently finished scope 8.75in ultralight at 5KG used a balsa truss design.
(http://www.geocities.com/telescopiman/ultralight.html).
The problem with this truss however was that it was too fragile. It was
definitely stiff enough and the scope performs well. But the trusses simply
cannot take much abuse!! I have been working on improving the design and
have finally come up with a composite design with fibreglass and balsa.

I am trying toward achieving the same performance as carbon fibre, but at a
fraction of the cost. My MK2 truss is much much stronger but just as light
and stiff. It will now take a farly nasty knock before breaking! The details
have been put on my site at
http://www.geocities.com/telescopiman/MK2Truss.html

If anyone wants a cheapy route to ultralight success, I feel this project is
getting somewhere. I'd love to hear from anyone that is interested in trying
this idea.

Happy ultralighting

Marco Miglionico


p.s my motivation for this comes from the fact that I am aiming at building
a 20in scope weighing in at 25 Kg. complete (64lb). Yes I am obsessed!