Timothy Sloan John Edgar Charlie Carbiener Rene Sanchez

1. Project 13: Automated Telescope Mirror CoverSponsor: Dr. GuenterMareschFaculty Adviser: Dr. Kamal Amin Timothy Sloan John Edgar Charlie Carbiener Rene Sanchez Team Leader Webmaster Communication Liaison Financial Advisor Tjs10k@my.fsu.edu   Jde08@my.fsu.edu Cpc10c@my.fsu.edu rrs07@my.fsu.edu

2. Problem Statement • Remote and inconvenient to operate • Mirrors compromised by bugs, dust and other environmental factors • Current controller has only four outputs for stepper motors • Tedious control of each individual function Rene Sanchez

3. Objectives • Design and implement mechanical covers for both the primary mirror and the aperture of the telescope • Use only the four stepper motor outputs on the controller • Integrate the control for all of the telescopes functions into one system • Create a graphic user interface for the main control system that is accessible online Rene Sanchez

4. Mirror and Aperture Covers • An array of ABS flaps rotate in and out of the closed position using stepper motors • The flaps will be paired using a replicator we will make • This will allows for all eight flaps to be controlled using just the four outputs on the existing controller Charles Carbiener

5. Replicator • Duplicates the signal coming from the controller, allowing motors to be paired • External power source used to ensure enough current can be drawn • This will allows for all eight flaps to be controlled using just the four outputs on the existing controller • High power MOSFET’s used to control the motor with signals from the existing controller • Baby Orangutan used to read when flaps are closed and make sure that each flap operates in phase Charles Carbiener

6. Error Checking • Flaps need to operate in phase • Momentary switches can sense when the flaps are opened and closed • Baby Orangutan can use this to sense when flaps are out of phase and control an individual motor to correct the issue • Reduction in maintenance Charles Carbiener

7. Motor Selection • Each ABS flap will weigh roughly 0.5 lb or 0.23 kg • Highest required torque of 0.166 ftlb(32 oz in or 0.023 kg m) • Motor must fit within a 2” by 2” (50 mm by 50mm) square in order to fit on the mount • Pololu stepper motor chosen Charles Carbiener

8. Materials and Electronics • ABS chosen for both the mount and the flaps • Light • Easy to cut with laser cutter • Baby Orangutan used to allow the replicator to sense if flaps are out of phase and realign • The Baby Orangutan is cheap and small • High power MOSFET’s to control the motors • 12V 15A power supply on sight Rene Sanchez

9. Future Work • Parts and materials being ordered early this week • Ordering through Dr. Maresch and NFCC • Rough prototype to be made in the mean time • Two paired cardboard flaps • Replicator used for pairing • Once parts are in, refined prototype to be constructed and implemented onto the telescope Rene Sanchez

10. Conclusion • Eight ABS flaps used to cover the primary mirror and the aperture • Flaps all operated in pairs • Replicator used to pair flaps together and allow for use of only four outputs • High power MOSFET’s used to control the motors • Prototyping • Rough prototype beginning now • Once parts are in and fabricated, refined prototype implemented onto the telescope Rene Sanchez

11. Questions?