M O U N T E G R A

The choice of the serious amateur astronomer

Are you considering automated observing runs?

Are you a fanatic astrophotographer?

Or just enjoy troublefree observing?

Andras Dan (MSc. Mech Eng) and Leonardo Priami (MSc. Mech Eng) present the unique one arm fork design. The product was realized using 2D and 3D computer aided design, finite element structural analysis and CNC machining.

4.Dec.2005, Forli, Italy (official presentation), photo by Alex Di Giusto

Mountegra unites the advantages of a Fork mount with that of a German mount.

It adapts in dimensions to your OTA while works without counterweights and transits the meridian without ever noticing it.

The vertical arm extends up to 600mm free swing, the horizontal arm slides to balance the OTA.

Last but not least in offers a high level of aesthetic pleasure.

Specifications:

Maximum instrument weight 50kg (minimum cca. 15 kg)

Weight 70 kg

RA Drive system: D250mm bronze gear, 300 teeth, ground and lapped steel worm, ± 2” PE

DEC Drive system: zero backlash Harmonic Drive (made in Germany), total reduction 612

Stepper or servo motors fitted. No slip clutches provided, balancing is achieved by turning the worm with a supplied torque gauge. When the torque is equal in both directions balancing is perfect.

Driver: Pulsar or your preferred servo drive system.

Range of vertical adjustment 400-600 mm (from RA head to DEC axis)

Range of horizontal adjustmet (balancing) 100 mm

The arms are adjusted by the lever at the end of the horizontal arm, by mechanical means (leadscrew).

Elevation from 35-60 deg, 8,5” smallest readable adjustment

Azimuth adjustment ±5 deg. 32” smallest readable adjustment

Materials: anodised aluminium, stainless steel, bronze

Bearings: tapered roller bearings (RA shaft with 210/140 mm upper and 125/80 mm lower diameter)

Recommended OTAs: RC up to 40cm, SC from 10”–16”, fast Newtonian up to 40cm, MC from 9”-14”, folded refractors.

The mount is offered in limited quantity and each installation is carryed out personally. The waiting period is 6-12 months. Pricing: please write!

To see the first results with this mount please visit Dr. Dietmar Hager s page!

View a nice example of the loading capacity here!