The Ultrascope Telescope

An open-source, mostly DIY, Automated Robotic Observatory that you can make for a fraction the cost of what's available on the retail market.

[oshultrascope]

Heyo, just wondering if there were any publicly available files for the Ultrascope Odyssey? All good if not, cheers 😌

I don’t think the Open Space Agency ever made the Odyssey files public.  :at time I saw them was when it was still in an early stage of design (meaning not buildable yet).

[oshultrascope]

Hi Matt, just stumbled upon the Ultrascope project.. and have seen your progress to date. Well done! Just wondering if my CNC machine with a Cutting Area (XXL): 33"(X) x 33"(Y) x 3"(Z) is big enough to mill out the non - printed parts such as the split ring etc. Basically can I use my home CNC as opposed to a laser cutter? Thanks in advance!

Hi @michaelnewham,

Yes, your CNC should be big enough to mill everything.  Andy Hoover milled his big pieces as well.

I think the biggest part is the split ring and it’s 500 mm (about 20″) at the widest.  My guess is that you’ve milled parts that were intended to be cut on a laser before.  If you haven't (or for others reading this sometime in the future), please make sure you account for the bit diameter, offset, and the kerf of the cut.  The cut file was designed with a laser kerf of almost 0.  For best results, I’d recommend adapting the file so you can use a larger, stiffer milling bit to do most of the cutting and then come back with a small, delicate bit to mill the holes.  

Let me know if you need help with the milling files.  I’ll see if Andy will post them for the public.

Please let me know if you have any other questions, or if you want to talk privately: [email protected]

-Matt12 / October / 2017

[oshultrascope]

I have been watching the Ultrascope project since its inception. I signed up for the beta several times over the years with never a response. I have two mirror sets a 10" and a 14" both f4.5 that I would like to use for an Ultrascope. I know in the past they were talking about the Odyssey up to 18" It looks like the project stalled shortly after takeoff with the software and electronics. This is sad. What is your thoughts on this. Do you think this concept would work for a 14"

Hi @esterikme,

Thanks for the interest, and sorry about the lack of communications.  I heard this from a few others that have signed up but never got any emails from OSA.  

The design can be modified to fit any mirror size or focal length.  I’m currently adapting the Explorer’s design for an 8″ mirror.

The Odyssey is the planned next step, but the team wants to get as many kinks out of the way before moving on to the bigger versions of the Ultrascope.

There has been very little progress with the Ultrascope for some time now.  A few other builders have completed their telescopes, but the software and some of the electronics are holding things back.  I know that the OSA team is still working on things because I get to see the modifications and changes to the project as they are made (even the not-so-public ones).

The overall concept will work for larger mirrors, but it might not be for a while.

Feel free to email me as well if you want to get into the weeds…

[email protected]

-Matt04 / October / 2017

[oshultrascope]

Big Parts on Small Printers

**Updated 15/May/17**

So some of you might know that I do almost all my printing on my 3-year-old MakerBot Replicator 2X.  It’s been a real workhorse and continues to serve me well (knock on wood).  However, one of its shortcomings (reads: constraints) for the Ultrascope Explorer build is the machine’s build volume.  I know, I know... the 2X is still bigger than many others out there.  Because of the limitations I’ve had some of the parts printed for me by my local 3D Printing supply shop.  I try to avoid this when I can because of the time it can sometimes take.

When I started building my first Ultrascope a few years ago, the design was a bit smaller because the original plan called for a 4 inch (100 mm) primary mirror.  Even though some of the pieces wouldn’t fit (under normal circumstances), creative arrangement aloud me to still get them made.

I realize that most hobbyists aren’t using supersized printers with volume to spare.  Thankfully the cost to size ratio is changing in our favor as the industry matures.  That said, it doesn’t help us today.

Let’s look at Hexagon 5 as an example of a part that too big to fit in the build volume of most printers.

I took a look at the part in Onshape and figured that I could likely cut it into three pieces while still maintaining the strength needed.  I made the new pieces 15 mm taller to accommodate the new overlapping joints.

I’m running a test batch starting tonight (18/Apr/17) to see if the bits will work together the way I’d hope.

I’d love to hear your feedback and/or suggestions to make to project and design better.

Update: 19/Apr/17

The first print of what I’m calling Hex 5-A came out great.

Now I just need to print Hex 5-B and 5-C and do a test fit.

Update: 20/Apr/17

After attaching some OpenBeam, it’s clear (to me, not so clear in the picture) that some minor changes need to be made.

Update: 12/May/17

I had to print Hex 5-B a few time before I got a complete part.  I had five failed/ ghost prints before switching filament (which gave me a perfect part on the first try).  I realized I was using the last of an ABS spool that was more than two-years old.  The rest of it is now in the trash so I don’t make that mistake again.  New Best Practice:  Take a silver Sharpie and date your filament spools.

I cleaned it up and added it to Hex 5-A.  It fit great, but the nuts and cap screws gave me a bit of trouble when I tried to line them up in the makerbeam.  My guess is user error since I didn’t have any problems once things were tight.

Update: 15/May/17

I finished printing the test pieces yesterday and I’m happy to report that they fit quite well.  I never printed hex 5-C, just 5-A, and 5-B twice.  If you want to print these for yourself, you can get the .STL files on my MODs section of Wevolver.

More to come

Project by The Open Space Agency Designed using OnShape Hosted on Wevolver

Modification Files are housed on Wevolver

Other project pictures on INSTAGRAM Frequent mini-updates on Twitter

[oshultrascope]

Google Pixel Phone Mount for the Ultrascope Explorer

Round one of the Google Pixel phone mount design.  I knew that it was just a preliminary attempt, but I’m not too happy with how it came out.

This design “should” work, but I think it’s ugly.  Function over form?  

The eyepiece fits perfect.  Changes needed here.

The screw management has some work ahead.  I want to at least recess the cap-screws and same for the nut.

More to come

Project by The Open Space Agency Designed using OnShape Hosted on Wevolver

Modification Files are housed on Wevolver

Other project pictures on INSTAGRAM Frequent mini updates on Twitter

[oshultrascope]

Alternate Phone Mounts For the Ultrascope Explorer Telescope

I’ve started messing with the phone mount on the focuser assembly of the Ultrascope Explorer Plus.

The one shown above is basically the same as the original Nokia 1020 mount except I’ve removed some of the material.  The goal is to make it lighter, to use less printing filament,  and to take less time.  It’s also flat on the other side so it can be printed flat (the original requited an angled print with supports).  The .STL file for this modified version can be found on GitHub.  The original files can be found on the Wevolver project page.

I’m going to design a mount for my Note 4, my wife’s iPhone 7, and my  friend’s new Google Nexus Pixel (edit- the design for the Pixel is live and available on GitHub.  What other phones should I consider?  Do you have a better design?  Have you designed a mount for another phone?  I’d love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below or tweet at me.

Designed by The Open Space Agency Designed using OnShape Hosted on Wevolver

Modification Files are housed on GitHub

Other project pictures on INSTAGRAM Frequent mini updates on Twitter

[oshultrascope]

Modifing  the Ultrascope Explorer

One of my favorite things about the Ultrascope project is how flexible the design is.  

So I started playing around with the Ultrascope Explorer design a few days ago (you can too, it’s open to the public on OnShape).  I decided to skeletonize the split ring.  If you'd rather use this design for your build, the files can be downloaded from GitHub.  This piece would normally be laser cut, but it could also be CNC routed it that’s what you have access to.

Let me know if there are other modifications I should work on.  Post a comment here, or tweet me at @OSHUltrascope. The main project is hosted on Wevolver.  All of the regular build files and process can be found and followed there. If you’d to join the BETA program and get email updates and changes to the project, you can sign up with the Open Space Agency.  When you get to their page, scroll to the bottom for the sign-up form.

[oshultrascope]

Hi! Is it possible to use plywood instead of 10mm acrylic? Thanks

Sure, but your laser settings will need to be adjusted (or you’ll need to CNC the pieces with something like a Shapeoko or X-Carve, but that has it’s own set of rules as well).  When choosing your wood, you want something that won’t flex in any direction.

-Matt

[oshultrascope]

The Beta is Live

If you have’t already heard, the Beta for the project is live.  Files and instructions are being released in stages on Wevolver.  Everyone is encouraged to also sign-up for the Beta emails.

Post questions and comments.  I’d love to hear from you.

-Matt

[oshultrascope]

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) - A Stronger Way to Rapid Prototype

So a few weeks ago I was introduced to another way of 3D printing.  It’s called Direct Metal Laser Sintering or DMLS.  Unlike a normal FMD printer, a DMLS printer puts down a very thin layer of metal dust, then uses a laser to weld some of that dust to the layer below.  Over and over, layer by layer until the print is finished.

Qualified Rapid Products is a local company here in Salt Lake with this type of tech.  Owner Rob Smith gave me the tour last Friday and agreed to print one of the pieces for my Ultrascope.  I asked him to make a new secondary spider mount out of aluminum.  It turned out AWESOME.

Old ABS spider mount:

New aluminum spider mount:

If the process wasn’t so expensive, I’d love to do a bunch more parts.  Maybe later down the line.

[oshultrascope]

Swapping the original 3D printed spider mount for one that was made out of aluminium.  Made by Qualified Rapid Products.  It was made via direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).  Super cool.

[oshultrascope]

Showing off the Ultrascope at the inaugural meet-up for Utah Onshape User Group

Last night I had the opportunity to show-off my Ultrascope Explorer Plus to the attendees of the first meet-up for the Utah Onshape Users Group.  As you might or might not already know, the Ultrascope was designed using the Onshape software.  If you haven’t heard of it, Onshape is a web based CAD application.  The nice folks at Pluralsight hosted.