The Robotic Foucault Platform

While I won’t go into a lot of detail on the platform construction here, instead I will simply list the requirements need to work with the software. If you need guidance on platform construction, I’ll refer you to my Robo-Foucault page here : http://lerch.no-ip.com/atm/Robo.htm

First let me start with some tips, to help ensure everything goes smoothly:

1. I STONGLY suggest using a Slitless test setup. I’ve ran into problems using a slit setup, mostly illuminating the outer edge of the mirror fully (not sure why..)
2. Try to get the axis perfectly square to each other
3. Watch out for Motor Binding, this can cause the motor to stall. If the motor doesn’t move as commanded by the software, the software has no way of knowing about this!
4. BTW, don’t worry about hooking the axis motors to any specific channel (IE Longitudal motor (To/From Mirror) can work of either the ALT or Az ports of Mel’s scope driver board) the actual axis setup is handled in software
5. While a 1/4 –20 drive works well for the longitudal axis, its near the limit for the lateral axis of the tester. My next platform is going to use a ¼-28 drive or higher for this axis.
6. For the sake of simple Alignments, I highly recommend a Laser pointer! Works like a champ EVERY time J

Here is the list of REQUIREMENTS for the platform to work with RTAFT.exe

1. Must have a linear motion for the Longitudal axis (IE each step size is ALWAYS the same size!)
2. The lateral axis can be non-linear (IE moves in an arc fashion) however the largest step size should be less than 0.00025”
3. BTW it took me forever to figure out what “Longitudal Axis” Meant. So if you’re in the same boat as I was, the Longitudal axis is the damn motor that moves the Camera and Knife edge towards and away from the mirror!
4. Oh, and that other hard to remember axis is the “Lateral Axis”. It’s the motor that moves the Camera and Knife sideways relative to the mirror (think of an NFL football term called a “Lateral Pass” aka Sideways J)