Focusing motor Baader Planetarium Steeldrive II with controller

Steeldrive II focusing motor Baader Planetarium

Baader Steeldrive II motor focuser for Diamond Steeltrack ® focusers and other focusers.

The goal of the development of the Baader Steeldrive II motor was not simply another focusing motor, but a complete platform that can be tailored to the individual needs of amateur astronomers. That is whythe "brain" of the Steeldrive II is not located in the small motor housing, but in a separate controller that also provides a keypad for manual control.

With a Steeldrive II motor focuser, you can automatically control your focuser with a computer, as well as use the manual control keys for precise, vibration-free focusing.

The Steeldrive II consists of a motor unit, which is connected with a timing belt to the focuser control for backlash-free operation, and a control unit with electronics, which also functions as a hand control. You can connect up to two temperature sensors at the same time, one in the motor unit and one in the control unit. A sensor is included with the Steeldrive II assembly to compensate for drift automatically, if there are large temperature differences.

One control unit can control one motor unit at a time, but you can use a computer to control several controllers in parallel.

The motor is designed to move to a stored position with the highest accuracy when used together with the gyro sensor, even if it has to move several kilograms during the complete travel of the focuser!

The Steeldrive II motor focuser includes:

Baader Steeldrive Mark II controller

One motor unit with belt drive and a 3 mt long connection cable. It can be connected to all Baader Steeltrack ® and Diamond Steeltrack ® focusers.

A 3D printed magnetic holder for the reference sensor, which can be connected to the focuser. For Baader Diamond Steeltrack ® focusers, a metal magnet ring # 2957264 is available as an accessory.

A Steeldrive II controller with intuitive operation and keys for manual control, incl. 3 mt USB cable

A temperature sensor with 1 mt cable, also compatible with dew protection control.

12V / 1.5A power supply, universal power supply for EU, GB and USA.

SteelGO software and ASCOM driver to control several motor focusers with one PC (for download)

Features:

High precision focusing with heavy loads.

The high torque stepper motor is directly connected to the focuser via a toothed belt. This eliminates the backlash (and potential cause of defects) induced by gearboxes that would have to be used with lower horsepower motors. The Steeldrive II can quickly move loads up to 8 kg with high accuracy. Focusing resolution is 2.5µm.

Intuitive operation; intuitive manual control makes it possible to find and save the focus point very quickly. There are several modes available for moving the focuser:

Normal mode: the focuser moves while a key is pressed.

Shift mode: each key press moves the focuser a configurable distance in the SteelGo software (e.g. 0.1 mm) 0.1 mm).

Single-step mode: each keystroke moves the focuser as small as possible (approx. 2.5 micrometers).

Setting the limits, deleting and resetting the positions and (de)activating the temperature control can also be done with the manual control. The brightness of the backlight and status LEDs are also configurable.

Non-contact motion sensor; The Steeldrive II motor unit features a non-contact (wear-free) rotation sensor (Hall effect sensor). It is activated by a magnet connected to the moving part of the focuser. It allows precise homing and repeatable focusing of the stored absolute positions as well as the reference of the mechanical stop. A simple mount for this magnet is included in the kit and attached to the focuser. For Baader Diamond Steeltrack ® focusers, a metal adapter is optionally available.

However, the Steeldrive II can also be used without the orientation sensor, as the absolute position is kept in a persistent circular eeprom buffer. Even if a power failure occurs, the absolute position is loaded when the Steeldrive II is restarted, as long as the focuser has not been moved by hand.

Temperature compensation; Two digital temperature sensors can be used simultaneously. One can be connected to the motor and the other to the control unit. For automatic temperature compensation, you can select the specific sensor to be used, or you can use the average temperature of both sensors (e.g. measure the temperature above and below the telescope tube, or inside and outside), according to your needs. The temperature compensation factor is calculated, for example, with the SteelGO software and can then be stored locally in the Steeldrive II control unit. The compensation period and the ?T threshold can also be set. The temperature compensation can also be used in stand-alone operation mode (without a connected computer).

12V / 1A PWM power output (PID controllable)

The Steeldrive II features a 12V / 1A power output. It can be used with an optionally available adapter cable from the AUX port of the Steeldrive II controller to common condensing heaters up to 10W. The power can be set in the SteelGo software or you can set the desired temperature for one of the temperature sensors. This prevents unwanted heating of the telescope by keeping the dew shield just above the dew point. Itcan also be used to control the exact temperature (+/- 0.1°C) of, for example, optical filters.

Made in Germany.

In our workshop, all mechanical parts are CNC milled from aluminum. The electronic boards are also designed and manufactured in Germany. We only use high-end electronic components. The electronic circuit boards are additionally coated for protection.

Low power consumption

The motor current is automatically reduced while it is being maintained. The Steeldrive II consumes approximately 0.7 W.

Steeldrive II focusing motor Baader Planetarium