Tom has crafted a futuristic, computer-controlled stand for his 20-year-old telescope using acrylic. Previously, his manually operated telescope struggled to track stars accurately due to the Earth’s rotation. With this new setup, that’s no longer an issue. The telescope now moves smoothly with the stars, keeping them clearly in view. The acrylic not only strengthens the stand but also gives it a modern flair.
The Project
Tom has built a computer-controlled stand for his older telescope, which can magnify up to 700 times. The telescope frequently lost sight of stars because of the Earth’s rotation. To solve this, he constructed a metal stand with computer-controlled guidance. He used acrylic for the housings of the stepper motors and electronics. Thanks to the transparent acrylic, the entire setup looks both modern and futuristic.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making This
steps
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Design your project
First, design your project using a technical drawing program like CorelDraw. This helps you know exactly what you need.
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Cut the acrylic
Use a computer-controlled routing table machine to cut the acrylic. This ensures clean parts.
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Sand the sawn edges
Sand the sawn edges with various grades of sandpaper (120, 240, and 400) to achieve a smoother finish.
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Mount the stepper
Mount the stepper motors and electronics onto the metal stand. Make sure everything is securely fastened.
Tom's Tips for Others
Ensure you first create a solid design in a technical drawing package like CorelDraw. Sawing causes irregularities, so lightly sanding with progressively finer grain sandpaper makes polishing to a shine a breeze. If you start with polish, it will shine, but you might end up with surface irregularities. Also, avoid budget acrylic if you plan to process it!
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