#9 More Fine Tuning
Telescope Project
The revised telescope design is almost done! All the important components are modeled and fit together, and could be reasonably constructed. I’m considering simply 3D printing all of these components at a smaller scale, to more easily produce this next mock-up and test construction.
I’m still weighing some options for the “pan” encoder, which likely needs to be located outside of the telescope and in the base. This is the only component that I feel a real need to work to “hide” — all the other electronics will, with some work, fit comfortable inside the telescope body. I’ve settled on building a large housing over the bolt that attaches the yoke to the base, concealing an encoder inside. I can then either conceal wires connecting that object to the telescope above, or… not. With the right aesthetic, some kind of cable there could work just fine.
Though I didn’t go with them here, I have “vented” 1/2” bolts, which have an 1/8” tunnel in the center I could use to run cables through. In this case, those cables could then connect to an encoder concealed in the base of the entire telescope, but that would mean I’d need a substantial base. They may be useful to get cables into the telescope through the hinge, but that would be more for style than out of necessity if so. (these could also work, but just seem flimsy).
Instead of that hollow bolt option, I’ve discovered some low-profile encoder options that should fit decently in some kind of knob or object at the center of the telescope’s yoke.
I also have not yet decided on a handle design. I’ve looked at cabinet handles, door handles, pottery handles (including plenty of ancient Greek and Roman options), and so far nothing feels quite right. I think I may just have to pick a temporary design and revisit it later on in the process.
One other change is a design of an obviously-plastic shroud to hold the telescope body. I rather like the idea that this might have been something carried, and that the yoke mount is an artifact of more contemporary scholarship. If so, rather than drill holes in the artifact, they surely would have simply mounted it in some sort of holder.
All that remains before the end of the sprint on Wednesday is to model that object, decide on a handle design, and design a paddle. It’s a little tight but now that Good Person has opened I can spend a little more time on it.
