INDI Library - Recently Added Listings - Focusers & Rotators https://indilib.org/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:43:45 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 Arduino Focuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/arduino-focuser.html ]]> naheedsa Sun, 19 Nov 2023 10:28:41 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/arduino-focuser.html DreamFocuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/dreamfocuser.html ]]> naheedsa Sun, 19 Nov 2023 09:25:43 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/dreamfocuser.html Astromechanics https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/astromechanics.html ]]> naheedsa Sun, 19 Nov 2023 08:50:47 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/astromechanics.html Oasis Focuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/oasis-focuser.html ]]> naheedsa Sun, 19 Nov 2023 07:37:21 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/oasis-focuser.html Platypus focuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/platypus-focuser.html ]]> naheedsa Sun, 19 Nov 2023 06:57:20 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/platypus-focuser.html AAF2 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/aaf2.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:34:36 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/aaf2.html RBF Excalibur https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rbf-excalibur.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:32:28 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rbf-excalibur.html Esatto Arco https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/esatto-arco.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:30:45 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/esatto-arco.html Esatto https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/esatto.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:29:35 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/esatto.html HitecAstro DC https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/hitecastro-dc.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:21:13 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/hitecastro-dc.html Lakeside https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/lakeside.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:19:17 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/lakeside.html Lacerta MFOC FMC https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/lacerta-mfoc-fmc.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:17:57 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/lacerta-mfoc-fmc.html MoonLite DRO https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/moonlite-dro.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:14:05 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/moonlite-dro.html OnFocus https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/onfocus.html naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:13:04 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/onfocus.html Pegasus FocusCube https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-focuscube.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:08:52 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-focuscube.html PerfectStar https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/perfectstar.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:02:22 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/perfectstar.html Starlight EFS https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/starlight-efs.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:38:15 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/starlight-efs.html Sesto Senso 2 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/sesto-senso-2.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:34:25 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/sesto-senso-2.html Wanderer Rotator Lite https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/wanderer-rotator-lite.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:56:04 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/wanderer-rotator-lite.html Pegasus ProdigyMF https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-prodigymf.html ]]> naheedsa Thu, 16 Nov 2023 11:48:28 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-prodigymf.html Rigel Systems nFrame Rotator https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rigel-systems-nframe.html

Installation

Rigel Systems nStep driver is included with libindi >= 1.9.4 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

The nFrame rotator controller is a small absolute-position unipolar stepper motor controller that can work on a variety of motor configurations. It connects to your PC/StellarMate via Serial-to-USB cable It supports the following features:

  • Speed adjustments: 254 levels of speed adjustment controls.
  • Stepping Controls: Control the motor stepping mode and wiring phase.
  • Sync: Set the rotator position to any arbitrary values to reset the position to the desired value.

image001

Main Control Tab 

  • Goto: Move to any arbitrary angle
  • Abort: Stop motion
  • Max Position: Define an arbitrary maximum travel position. Any GOTOs beyond this position are rejected.
  • Sync: Set the current angle position to this value.
  • Steps: read out of the built in temperature sensor or the external temperature probe if any.
  • Speed: Set the current stepping rate, lower is slower
  • Max Speed: Set the maximum step rate allowed

Connection

 

image003

The rotator can connected to the PC/StellarMate via either a serial-USB connection or WiFi. Use Serial to USB adapter and connect it to a USB port. By default, the driver would try to connect to all available systems ports until a successful connection is made. It is generally recommend to employ the Serial Port Assistant tool to assign a permanent designation for the port. This would make connecting to the serial port reliable from the first time if there are multiple serial to usb devices being used at the same time by the system.

 

For WiFi nFrame controllers, click on Ethernet button to switch to Networked connection. Refer to nFrame documentation for configure the WiFi option. The IP address and port of the WiFi adapter is required to make the connection.

 

After making changes to the connection parameters, go to the Options tab and save the configuration.

 

Options

image005

 

The options tab includes parameters to enable/disable logging and debugging settings in addition to polling and joystick control.

The debugging and logging options should remain off unless you are to diagnose a problem with the driver.

Polling: How often should the driver read the device output signals? By default it is set to 500ms or twice per second.

Coil After Move: Set whether the stepper coils should be energized or de-energized after motion is complete.

Caution: When set to energized, watch the stepper motor temperature as it might get warm.

Presets

image007

Allows the user to pre-define specific rotation values then click one of the Pre-sets to move to that angle.

 

Settings

image009

Allows the user define the number of steps per degree of rotation.

 

Stepping Settings

image011
 

Controls the stepping mode and phase.

o    Wave: Wave Stepping Mode.

o    Half: Energizes 1 or two coils at a time, doubling step resolution.

o    Full: Highest power mode, two coils always energized.

  • Phase Selectset to 0 for usb-nFrame. Can be used for any possible phase wirings. Allow a person to wire the phases in any order then chose one of 3 settings in software to drive them.

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naheedsa Tue, 25 Jan 2022 06:44:57 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rigel-systems-nframe.html
Celestron SCT Focuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/celestron-sct-focuser.html

Installation

INDI Celestron SCT Focuser driver is included with libindi >= 1.8.8 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-bin

Features

Main Control Panel

Celestron SCT Focuser driver is used to control Celestron Motorized Focuser when connected directly to a computer via USB. This driver should not be used if the focuser is connected directly to the mount. When connected directly to the mount, simply use the Celestron mount driver and it would automatically recognize and connect to the focuser.

Do not use Celestron SCT driver if the focuser is connected directly to the Mount direct via AUX cable. Instead, use the Celestron Mount driver to control the focuser.

This driver can be used to :

  • Move the focuser to an absolute position (specific absolute steps)
  • Focus IN and OUT using selected steps (relative position)
  • Abort the focuser motion
  • Set backlash.
  • Calibrate the focuser position.

Operation

Connecting

In order to connect to the focuser you just have to plug the USB cable and power up the focuser. Under Connection tab, you can set the Serial Port especially if you have multiple serial ports connected to the same PC. It is best to use Serial Assistant Manager to designate a permenant port (e.g. /dev/focuser) to this device.

Calibrating

You need to calibrate the focuser when using it for the first time. The calibration parameters are stored on the focuser itself so it can be re-used later. To begin the calibration process:

  1. Ensure the focuser is installed correctly and that the screws are tightend correctly.
  2. Set the starting point of the focuser halfway/center. This is very important, try to get it to halfway as close as possible.
  3. Click Start Calibration and then monitor the Calibration Status until the calibration process is complete.
  4. If the focuser does not stop on its own, make sure to check and address common mechanical issues.
  5. After it is complete and successful, you can begin to utilize the focuser.

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Presets

Issues

If the focuser fails to calibration, here are some tips shared by Mr. Joe Larch. Thank you Joe!

  1. To basically check the function of the calibration process, I removed the focuser and stopped the rotating part with a firm grip a few seconds after the start of the calibration process (focus motor starts rotating counterclockwise). The focuser then changed its direction of rotation due to the calibration process. After a few seconds I slowed down the rotating part again with my hand. The calibration process was completed and I was sure that the focuser was working properly.
  2. The problem that the focuser did not work at the first start was the poor clamping of the plastic part on the C8-fokuser spindle. The metal part of the focuser that is supposed to clamp the plastic part (transition to the spindle) is too immobile/rigid despite the fully tightened clamping screw, so that the focuser does not reach an end or start position during the calibration process. The motor noise does change its frequency when the focuser reaches the start or end position, but the resistance is too low to complete the calibration process in the respective direction of rotation.
  3. The problem could be solved in a simple way. The brass sleeve of the focusing spindle was wrapped 3x with a Tixo tesa tape. The metal sleeve with the gear wheel that holds the plastic sleeve (already screwed in) was removed from the focuser. In order to connect the plastic sleeve with the brass part, which is wrapped with Tixo tape, without slipping, a few drops of super glue were spread on the inside of the plastic sleeve and the sleeve was then pushed onto the brass part. After a few seconds, the focuser part with the gear wheel and the plastic sleeve was well, but not completely permanently, connected to the spindle.
    Finally, the focuser (motor and connections) was pushed onto the part with the gear wheel and screwed onto the other end with the fixing nut.
  4. The calibration process necessary for Stellarmate/EKOS could now be started. The focus motor (C8 focuser at the starting point) then rotates approx. 42,000 steps to the left (counterclockwise), reaches the "end position" and then changes the direction of rotation. When the start position is reached, the focus motor stops after approx. 42,100 steps (+100 step = backlash) and the calibration process is successfully completed

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's Issue Tracking System at Github.

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knro Mon, 19 Apr 2021 14:30:01 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/celestron-sct-focuser.html
Rainbow Astro RSF https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rainbow-astro-rsf.html

Installation

INDI Rainbow Astro RSF driver is included with libindi >= 1.8.8 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-bin

Features

Rainbow Astro RSF is a secondary mirror focuser with a stepper motor. It includes a physical remote controller that can be used without a computer.

Main Control

Main Control Panel

 

Please note the range for the RSF focuser is -8000 to +8000 with zero being the home position. However, in INDI the range is 0 (corresponding to -8000) to 16000 (corresponding to +8000) with 8000 being the zero home position. You do not really need to take any action, this is just for your information.

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT to control the relative position direction
  • Relative Position: Moving the focuser a number of steps relative to the current position
  • Absolute Position: Moving the focuser to the specified position from 0 to 16000
  • Max Position: The maximum number of steps
  • Temperature: The current temperature reading of the focuser's sensor
  • Go Home: Takes the focuser to the home position which uses a sensor to confirm the position

 

Connection

 

Main Control Panel

 

  • Driver Info: General driver infomation
  • Connection Type: Serial or Ethernet 
  • Baudrate: 9600

 

  Options

The Options tab contains settings for all drivers that include polling (frequency of updates), logging, and debugging. Contains the option for simulation to run the driver without using the physical device.

Options 

 

 

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

 

Presets

 

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's Issue Tracking System at Github.

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abouland Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:45:57 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rainbow-astro-rsf.html
ActiveFocuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/activefocuser.html

Installation

INDI ActiveFocuser driver is included with libindi >= 1.8.8 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-bin

Features

Main Control Panel

The ActiveFocuser driver is used to control the focuser on the Mewlon-250CRS and CCA-250 from Takahashi.

Those focusers can be controlled to get the perfect focus with your scope and they also include three fans and three temperature sensors used to find the thermal equilibrium of the scope.

This driver can be used to :

  • Move the focuser to an absolute position (specific absolute steps)
  • Focus IN and OUT using selected steps (relative position)
  • Abort the focuser motion
  • Read the data coming from the temperature sensors
  • Enable or disable the fan directly into the driver

This driver has been made by Takahashi Europe team.

Operation

Connecting to ActiveFocuser driver

In order to connect to the focuser you just have to plug the USB cable and power up the focuser.

The driver will automatically connect to your device using their hardware identifiers.

After connecting, the focuser is ready to go and you can use this driver in any other INDI application in order to control the focuser from your Mewlon or CCA.

Options

The Options tab contains settings for all drivers that include polling (frequency of updates), logging, and debugging.

Options

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Presets

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's Issue Tracking System at Github.

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abouland Wed, 30 Dec 2020 11:01:00 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/activefocuser.html
RBFocuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rbfocuser.html

Installation

INDI RBFocuser driver is included with libindi >= 1.8.8 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

Main Control Panel

RB Focuser is a budget-friendly telescope electronic focuser with a resolution of 0.7 microns, made to keep up with today's fast optics standard. Depending on the version, it comes with: temperature sensor, Auto home function, BlueTooth connectivity, and Android APP. The unit is 3D printed what makes it easy to develop new mounting systems for any OTA.

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count. Selecting this controls the direction of the Relative Position property below.
  • Absolute Position: Set the number of absolute steps.
  • Sync: Set the current focus position as the entered position.
  • Max. movement: Maximum position change in a single movement (in steps).
  • Abort Motion: Force focuser to stop when is moving.
  • Temperature: Ambient temperature(in Celcius).

Operation

Connecting to RBFocuser

Connect to the focuser using a USB cable. The connection type is serial and by default the port is set to /dev/ttyUSB0. The default baud rate is 9600.

After establishing connection to the focuser, you can use the focuser control in the INDI control panel directly to move and sync the focuser. Alternatively, the focuser can be used in any INDI compatible autofocusing application.

Options

Options

The Options tab contains settings for all drivers that include polling (frequency of updates), logging, and debugging.

  • Focuser Hold: Keeps the telescope focuser held by the stepper motor when a movement is finished.
  • Direction change: allows the user to reverse de stepper movement direction in case of being necessary.

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's Issue Tracking System at Github.

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knro Wed, 02 Dec 2020 13:09:10 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rbfocuser.html
Pegasus Falcon Rotator https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-falcon-rotator.html

Installation

Pegasus Falcon driver is included with libindi >= 1.8.7 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

Pegasus Astro – Falcon Rotator is a light-weighted, low profile camera field rotator. Do not be fooled by its thin size! It can lift and handle heavy image trains – dead accurate! Very easy to operate via INDI and it will make your life easier to automatically adjust with precision your camera field.

Falcon Control Panel

Main Control Tab

  • Goto: Command rotator to a specific rotation angle. 0 degrees is home position where the camera is level.
  • Sync: If the current position angle value is incorrect, use Sync to reset it to the correct observed value.
  • Derotation: Set Experimental field derotation. Value is steps per millisecond.
  • Firmware: Display rotator firmware.
  • Reload: Reload rotator firmware.

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Operation

The INDI Pegasus Falcon driver provides complete functionality for all the features supported by Falcon rotator including GOTO, Sync, and field derotation.

Falcon Connection

Connection is via USB. Set the port accordingly or click Scan Ports to detect any ports on the system. The angle reported is the rotation angle and should not be confused with Position Angle (PA) reported by astrometry. Some clients (e.g. Ekos) provide rotator control. Once an image is plate solved via astrometry, the image PA is known and it is then possible to command the rotator to a specific position angle

Ekos Rotator Control

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

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knro Sat, 03 Oct 2020 09:55:26 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-falcon-rotator.html
Seletek Rotator https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/seletek-rotator.html

Installation

The Lunatico's Seletek Rotator driver as a 3rd party driver with INDI >= 1.8.6 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-armadillo-platypus

Features

The Seletek Aramadillo and Playtubus controllers support control for focuser, rotator, and filter wheels. Therefore, any stepper motor can be configured to act as a rotator. There is no primary difference between a focuser and a rotator when using the Seletek controller board, the difference is in the function it serves. For rotators, you are limited by a travel distance from +180 to -180 degrees. Zero degrees is defined as when the camera is pointing UP and completely level.

Connection

connection

Before connecting, specify the connection port (default /dev/ttyUSB0). You can select from the detected serial ports next to System Ports property. If you are using a network-enabled controller, click the Ethernet button and set the IP address and port accordingly. Finally, in the Main Control tab, set which controller port the rotator is connected to (Main, Exp, or Third).

Main Control

main control

Once connected the current rotator steps and firmware are detected. Upon connecting for the first time, you must first configure the Settings before commanding any motion.

You can control the rotator by setting the Angle in the Goto property or by directly specifying the steps in the Steps property at the bottom. Use Sync to synchronize the current position angle to the desired value. This does not move the rotator, it only sets its current angle.

The motion direction can be Reversed if desired, and the backlash compensation can be enabled after setting the desired backlash value in steps.

Presets

presets

You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.

Settings

settings

Configure the motion parameters and motor type in settings:

  • Speed: Set the minimum and maximum speeds in usec/step.
  • Limits: Set the minimum and maximum permitted rotation angle. By default, the rotator can rotate CCW to -179.5 degrees and the same for +179.5. Rotator will always take the shortest distance to the target but it would not cross over the limit. For example, if the rotator is a 170 degrees, and the next target was -170, then it would travel CCW 340 degrees until it rearched the target angle.
  • Steps/Degree: How many steps in one degree. Without this setting, angle control will not work.
  • Motor Type: Must select the correct motor type (Unipolar, Bipolar, DC, Step-Dir)
  • Half Step: Toggle on/off
  • Wiring: Select how the rotator is connected to the board.

Warning! All the settings must be correctly set before command any motor motion. Neglecting the settings may lead to permenant damage to the motor and/or controller.

Issues

 

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

 



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knro Thu, 14 May 2020 11:35:32 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/seletek-rotator.html
MyFocuser Pro 2 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/myfocuser-pro-2.html

Homebrew myFocuserPro2

Installation

INDI myFocuserPro2 driver is included with libindi >= 1.8.2 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-bin

Features

myFocuserPro2 is a fully featured open source hardware and software focuser designed by Robert Brown, using an Arduino Nano and stepper motor. Multiple options and driver boards are supported, please see website for full feature list, it is fully open sourced.

Current features are:

  • Sync
  • Absolute and relative position
  • Preset positions
  • Temperature compensation
  • Coil power control
  • Display on or off
  • Reverse direction
  • Joystick control

Main Control

Main Control Panel

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count. Selecting this controls the direction of the Relative Position property below.
  • Speed: Set the stepper motor speed 0-Slow, 1-Medium, 2-Fast
  • Relative Position: Set the number of steps from the current absolute position to move.
  • Absolute Position: Set the number of absolute steps.
  • Sync: Set the current focus position as the entered position.
  • Max. movement: maximum position change in a single movement (in steps).

Connection

Connections Tab

  • Driver info: General driver's informations
  • Connection Mode: Serial only supported

Options

Options Tab

  • Debug: Activate the debug mode. It has to be used for bugs reporting
  • Polling: NOTE: Regardless of setting, polling is hard coded to 1000ms, as myFocuserPro2 does not like to polled any faster
  • Configuration: Manage the backup of the configuration
  • Joystick: If the indi_joystick drivers is loaded, activate the selected buttons to move the focuser « IN » or « OUT » from a selected amount of ticks. If Joystick is enable a new tab is visible where the buttons could be configured.
  • T.Settings: Number of steps / deg change to adjust focuser
  • Step Mode: Choose required step mode from Full , 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 or 1/64
  • Display: Turn Display On or Off
  • Coil Power: Set the stepper motor hold coil power On or Off
  • Reverse Direction: Reverse direction of the motor, if focus in/focus out are reversed in relation to the focuser physical movement

Presets

Presets Tab

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's Issue Tracking System at Github.

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knro Mon, 16 Sep 2019 15:16:46 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/myfocuser-pro-2.html
Astromechanics Canon Lens Controller https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/astromechanics-canon-lens-controller.html

Installation

INDI Astromechanics driver is available as a 3rd party INDI driver. Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-astromechfoc

Features

Main Control Panel

The Astromechanics Canon Lens Controller is a Canon EF/EF-S compatible solution for external iris & focus drive. Tamron, Samyang, and Sigma lenses are also supported. It features :

  • GOTO function (absolute position) and relative position
  • Lens Apperture setting

Operation

Main Control Tab

  • Direction : inward or outward for relative position demand values
  • Relative position : demand offset to the actual position
  • Position absolute : demand absolute position, allowed if lower than maximum position
  • Maximum position : upload the limit to the focuser
  • Apperture : setting index of lens apperture (0: apperture fully opened e.g. f/2.8, 22: apperture closed e.g. f/22)

Connection

Connection

The USB connection is made on the default port, or by autosearch. The device is recognized as a USB Serial converter. Baudrate at 38400 is mandatory.

Options

Options

The Options tab contains settings for all drivers that include polling (frequency of updates), logging, and debugging. No driver-specific options are available.

Presets

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's Issue Tracking System at Github.

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knro Wed, 01 May 2019 13:07:24 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/astromechanics-canon-lens-controller.html
Astroberry Focuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/astroberry-focuser.html

Installation

Astroberry Focuser driver is part of Astroberry-DIY project. It is available on GitHub and needs to be compiled from sources. No binary packages are provided for installation via apt-get.

Features

Astroberry Focuser is an Open Source Software. It provides a stepper motor driver for Raspberry Pi with absolute and relative position capabilities.

  • Supports DRV8834 and A4988 stepper controllers
  • Absolute and relative position control
  • Standby mode for power saving
  • Absolute position is saved between runs
  • Supports 1/1 to 1/32 microstep resolution
  • Allows for setting maximum absolute position
  • Supports stepper motor reverse direction control
  • Provides backlash adjustment
  • Supports step delay control

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at GitHub.

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Kaczorek Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:47:04 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/astroberry-focuser.html
Bee Focuser https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/bee-focuser.html

Installation

Bee Focuser driver is included as a 3rd party driver. Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-beefocus

Features

Beefocused is an Open Source Hardware/ Software Telescope Focuser The goal of the project is to create a high quality DIY focuser that's relatively easy to build and modify. It is fully open sourced.

  • Beefocused talks to the INDI computer using WiFi. This is nice because it means there's one less wire on the telescope to worry about. It does mean that the telescope needs a WiFi hotspot, but that's becoming more common now that people are running telescopes from compute sticks and Raspberry Pis that are mounted directly onto the scope.
  • The default built uses a Nema 14 Stepper motor for positioning - these motors are widely used by 3D printers. The Motor's step rate is 1.8 degrees (200 steps / rotation), so it's reasonably accurate.
  • The electronic parts for a Beefocused will cost you about $25 on eBay. That includes the Nema 14 Stepper Motor.
  • Beefocus focusers operate as either Absolute or Relative focusers, depending on the build. The focuser supports either automatic homing at start up or manual syncing.

 Operation

The Beefocused Indi driver has a "Simulation" mode that's very close to what you'll see if you use the actual hardware. Simulation mode is selected by going to the BeeFocused connection tab and selecting a Simulated connection

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You'll need to go to the Main focuser menu and "connect" to the Simulated Focuser, the way you'd connect to an actual focuser.

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You can start moving the simulated focuser by pressing the Absolute Position Set Button. The Focuser Status message box will change from Ready to Moving, and the Absolute Position of the focuser will begin changing.

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A move can be interrupted by pressing the Abort button. If you try to move the focuser past the Maximum Position the driver will generate an Error message

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If the focuser's hardware supports a home switch the focuser will automatically move to it's home, or zero position, the first time INDI connects. The sync switch can also be used to set the Focuser's current absolute position. In this example the Sync switch is used to reset the absolute position to 2000.

alt text  alt text

The focuser can move relative to it's current position. In this mode the user changes the Relative Position field number to the number of positions they want the focuser to move (2000 in this example) and presses set. Pressing Set again will cause the focuser to move again.

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The Focus In and Focus Out buttons control the direction of relative movements. In the last example the Focus Out switch was active. In the example the Focus In switch was active and then the Relative Position Set button was pressed twice. The Focuser moved by -2000 each time.

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A game controller is a convenient way to manually operate the focuser. To use the game controller, set a relative focuser movement rate that works for setup (100 was good for me), turn on Joystick in the Options Tab

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And set-up the Joystick Buttons in the Joystick TAB. I used the bottom buttons on my game controller to focus in and out (BUTTON_7 and BUTTON_8), and the "A" button to Abort (BUTTON_2).

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I know that absolute position 28000 is close to my telescope's focal point, so I've added a 28000 entry to the Presets tab.

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To connect to the actual focuser, switch the connection type to ethernet and enter the address of the focuser. The port is always 4999.

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The main control tab of the actual focuser and simulated focuser are the same.

alt text

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

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knro Mon, 04 Mar 2019 07:40:51 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/bee-focuser.html
Lacerta MFOC https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/lacerta-mfoc.html

  Installation

Lacerta MFOC driver is included with libindi >= 1.7.6 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

  Features

The LACERTA Motorfocus is a precision stepper motor with handbox and temperature sensor. It can be used in standalone or remotely. It features :

  • GOTO function (absolute position) and relative position
  • Automated temperature compensation
  • Backlash compensation

Lacerta MFOC Control Panel

Main Control Tab

  • Mode : Absolute position, relative position or both.
  • Temperature compensation direction : by continuous compensation of the temperature, allows inward, outward or both motions
  • Started at saved postion : moves to the last used position at start
  • Direction : inward or outward for relative position demand values
  • Relative position : demand offset to the actual position
  • Position absolute : demand absolute position, allowed if lower than maximum position
  • Maximum position : upload the limit to the focuser
  • Backlash : number of steps for backlash compensation
  • Temperature compensation : factor in number of steps for a change of 10°C

Presets

Lacerta MFOC Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

  Connection

Lacerta MFOC Connection

Connect to the focuser using a USB cable. The connection type is serial and by default the port is set to /dev/ttyUSB0. The default baud rate is 9600. If you change the default port, save the changes by going to the Options tab and click Save configuration.

  Operation

After establishing connection to the focuser, you can use the focuser control in the INDI control panel directly to move and sync the focuser. Alternatively, the focuser can be used in any INDI compatible autofocusing application.

  Options

Lacerta MFOC Options

The options tab includes parameters to enable/disable logging and debugging settings in addition to polling and joystick control.

The debugging and logging options should remain off unless you are to diagnose a problem with the driver.

Polling: How often should the driver read the device output signals? By default it is set to 500ms or twice per second.

Joystick: If a gamepad or joystick is connected, enable it to focus IN and OUT using the joystick. A new tab called Joystick is created. The INDI joystick driver must be running and connected to a supported joystick under Linux.

Issues

There can be connection issues via a USB Hub. If such a case happen :

  • Make sure that the executable is stopped
  • Check on which port the device is connected
  • Adapt if necessary the default port value DEVICE_PORT in the configuration file .indi/Lacerta MFOC_Config.xml
  • Start the driver again

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

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knro Sun, 17 Feb 2019 06:21:17 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/lacerta-mfoc.html
Rigel Systems nStep https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rigel-systems-nstep.html

  Installation

Rigel Systems nStep driver is included with libindi >= 1.7.6 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

  Features

The nStep controller is a small absolute-position stepper motor controller that can work on a variety of motor configurations. It connects to your PC/StellarMate either via Serial-to-USB cable or WiFi. It supports the following features:

  • Speed adjustments: 254 levels of speed adjustment controls.
  • Temperature Compnesation: Advanced temperature compensation algorithm to adjust the position of the focuser as the temperature changes. An external temperature probe can be used to record the temperature.
  • Stepping Controls: Control the motor stepping mode and wiring phase.
  • Sync: Set the focuser position to any arbitary values to reset the position to the desired value.

nStep Control Panel

Main Control Tab

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count.
  • Speed: Set stepper motor speed. Lower is slower.
  • Timer: Moves the focuser in the set focus direction for this many milliseconds. Do not use directly.
  • Relative Position: Set the number of steps from the current absolute position to move.
  • Absolute Position: Set the absolute position.
  • Max Position: Define an arbitrary maximum travel position. Any GOTOs beyond this position are rejected.
  • Sync: Set the current absolute position to this value. It is recommended when using the focuser for the first time to fully retract the focuser (focuser is closest to the OTA) and then Sync to zero as zero is defined as the fully retracted position.
  • Temperature: read out of the built in temperature sensor or the external temperature probe if any.
  • Temperature: If temperature probe is connected, the current temperature in Celcius shall be reported.

  Operation

Connection

nFocus Connectivity

The focuser can connected to the PC/StellarMate via either a serial-USB connection or WiFi. Use Serial to USB adapter and connect it to a USB port. By default, the driver would try to connect to all available systems ports until a successful connection is made. It is genereally recommend to employ the Serial Port Assistant tool to assign a permenant designation for the port. This would make connecting to the serial port reliable from the first time if there are multiple serial to usb devices being used at the same time by the system.

For WiFi nStep controllers, click on Ethernet button to switch to Networked connection. Refer to nStep documentation for configure the WiFi option. The IP address and port of the WiFi adapter is required to make the connection.

After making changes to the connection parameters, go to the Options tab and save the configuration.

Options

nFocus options

The options tab includes parameters to enable/disable logging and debugging settings in addition to polling and joystick control.

The debugging and logging options should remain off unless you are to diagnose a problem with the driver.

Polling: How often should the driver read the device output signals? By default it is set to 500ms or twice per second.

Joystick: If a gamepad or joystick is connected, enable it to focus IN and OUT using the joystick. A new tab called Joystick is created. The INDI joystick driver must be running and connected to a supported joystick under Linux.

Coil After Move: Set whether the stepper coils should be energized or de-energized after motion is complete.

Caution: When set to energized, watch the stepper motor temperature as it might get warm.

Temperature Compensation

nStep Temperature Compensation

Change the nStep temperature compensation settings. By default, the controller boots up with the temperature compensation disabled. If you switch configuration to Auto and then save INDI driver configuration, this setting will be applied the next time you use the driver.

  • Mode: Click One Shot to execute temperature compensation once. However, before activating One Shot mode, press Prime For Manual< first. When set to Auto, the controller algorithm shall decide when to make the temperature compensation adjustments as per the settings.
  • Delta T.: This is the temperature change x10 to trigger a compensation. The nSTEP uses a fixed point value here which is 10X the real temperature change desired. Examples: -005 = move in "-" direction when temp changes by 0.5C, +015 = +1.5C change must be detected before triggering a compensation. The values can range from -100 (-10.0C) to +100(+10.0C) in increments of 5(0.5C).
  • Steps Per Delta: Move this many steps for each Delta Temp change. Direction of movement controlled by sign of DeltaTemp
  • Backlash: Apply this number of steps in last move direction before reversing direction. Range 0 through 100 with 0 = no backlash takeup
  • Averaged Time: Temperature will be averaged over this number of seconds. Range 1 to 75 seconds. Set to a lower value for more immediate changes. A lower value may cause 'hunting' if the sensor is detecting a value that is just toggling slightly (e.g. from 17.5C to 18.0C to 17.5C).

Stepping Settings

Controls the stepping mode and phase.

    • Wave: Wave Stepping Mode.
    • Half: Energizes 1 or two coils at a time, doubling step resolution.
    • Full: Highest power mode, two coils always energized.
  • Phase Select: set to 0 for usb-nSTEP. Can be used for any possible the phase wirings. Allow a person to wire the phases in any order then chose one of 3 settings in software to drive them.

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

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knro Wed, 13 Feb 2019 07:31:21 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rigel-systems-nstep.html
Rigel Systems nFocus https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rigel-nfocus.html

Installation

Rigel Systems nFocus driver is included with libindi >= 1.7.6 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

The nFOCUS controller is a small DC focus controller that provides two directions at two speeds with only two buttons using a12V regulated output. Low speed is adjustable pulse width modulated (PWM) drive, providing full voltage torque for low speed operation. It is compatible with Van Slyke Engineering, JMI, Celestron, MEADE LX200GPS microfocuser, Moonlite and others.

The driver works in Relative Focuser mode where you can command the focuser specific number of steps INWARD or OUTWARD. Speed controls can be configured in the settings tab of the driver.

nFocus Control Panel

Main Control Tab

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count.
  • Relative Position: Set the number of steps from the current absolute position to move.
  • Temperature: read out of the built in temperature sensor or the external temperature probe if any.

Operation

Connection

nFocus Connectivity

The focuser is connected to the PC via serial connection. Use Serial to USB adapter and connect it to a USB port. By default, the driver would try to connect to all available systems ports until a successful connection is made. It is genereally recommend to employ the Serial Port Assistant tool to assign a permenant designation for the port. This would make connecting to the serial port reliable from the first time if there are multiple serial to usb devices being used at the same time by the system.

Ethernet/Networked connection option is available when using a Serial-To-Ethernet adapter. The IP address and port of the adapter is required to make the connection.

After making changes to the connection parameters, go to the Options tab and save the configuration.

Options

nFocus options

The options tab includes parameters to enable/disable logging and debugging settings in addition to polling and joystick control.

The debugging and logging options should remain off unless you are to diagnose a problem with the driver.

Polling: How often should the driver read the device output signals? By default it is set to 500ms or twice per second.

Joystick: If a gamepad or joystick is connected, enable it to focus IN and OUT using the joystick. A new tab called Joystick is created. The INDI joystick driver must be running and connected to a supported joystick under Linux.

Settings

nFocus Settings

The nFocus settings can be configured in the settings tab.

  • ON Waiting Time: Set focus ON time (# of 0.68ms to wait, default = 73 = 0.05sec)
  • OFF Waiting Time: Set focus OFF time (# of 0.68ms to wait, default = 15 = 0.01sec)
  • Fast Mode Delay: Set time to wait until second press if high speed requested

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

]]>
knro Wed, 13 Feb 2019 06:35:23 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/rigel-nfocus.html
DeepSkyDad AF1 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/deepskydad-af1.html

  Installation

DeepSkyDad AF1 driver is included with libindi >= 1.7.6 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

  Features

DeepSkyDad AF1 is a budget-friendly belt driven autofocuser unit, intended primarily for astrophotography. As such, it does not include any kind of physical remote controller. It comes with stepper motor, MXL pulley, MXL belt, printed PCB circuit and very compact enclosure, which enables a lot of freedom when mounting. Mounting adapters are 3D printed and can be custom designed as per customer requirements. It is fully open sourced.

DeepSkyDad Control Panel

Main Control Tab

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count. Selecting this controls the direction of the Relative Position property below.
  • Relative Position: Set the number of steps from the current absolute position to move.
  • Absolute Position: Set the number of absolute steps.
  • Sync: Set the current focus position as the entered position.
  • Reverse Motion: reverse direction of the motor, if focus in/focus out are reversed in relation to the focuser physical movement(depends on how the autofocuser is mounted).
  • Max. movement: maximum position change in a single movement (in steps).

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

  Connection

Connect to the focuser using a USB cable. The connection type is serial and by default the port is set to /dev/ttyUSB0. The default baud rate is 9600. If you change the default port, save the changes by going to the Options tab and click Save configuration.

  Operation

After establishing connection to the focuser, you can use the focuser control in the INDI control panel directly to move and sync the focuser. Alternatively, the focuser can be used in any INDI compatible autofocusing application.

  Options

The options tab provides several settings to tune the operation and performance of the focuser:

  • Step mode:full (200 steps per revolution), half (400 steps per revolution), quarter (800 steps per revolution) and eight (1600 steps per revolution)
  • Settle buffer: if set, focuser returns "IsMoving" as TRUE for specified time (in ms) after focuser reaches target position, letting it to settle a bit. Useful if your focuser has any play.
  • Coils mode: Always on (recommended) - coils are powered at all times. Idle - off - coils are turned off when focuser is not moving. Idle - coils timeout (ms) - coils are turned off after a specified amount of time from the last move.
  • Idle - coils timeout: timeout period for Coils mode "Idle - coils timeout (ms)
  • Current - move: current used for moving the motor. More current results in bigger torque. 75% is recommended.
  • Current - hold: current used for holding the position when motor is not moving (Coils mode "Always on"). More current results in bigger torque. 75% is recommended.

Issues

Coils mode: there are some scenarios when coils can be turned off after a period of time (e.g. manual focusing via software). But generally, we recommend you to use Coils mode "Always on" for autofocusing procedures, as turning the coils off results in lost position of the motor. Additionally, if coils are turned on at all times, motor holds the focuser position and prevents slipping.

when coils are powered (e.g. Coils mode "Always on"), the stepper motor is producing a hissing noise, which is perfectly normal.

With holding current set to 100%, motor can get a little warm after a while.

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

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knro Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:51:02 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/deepskydad-af1.html
DeepSkyDad AF2 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/deepskydad-af2.html

Installation

DeepSkyDad AF2 driver is included with libindi >= 1.7.6 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

Listening to your feedback we developed a next generation autofocusing unit with WiFi connectivity and optional accessories - wired hand remote controller and temperature probe. Now even manual focus changes using your mobile phone/tablet are so simple that even a toddler can do it (check our Youtube channel for a demonstration on a prototype unit). At the same time it is also retaining mounting compatiblity with our older units, so upgrading to AF2 is as simple as swaping the units - no need to change mount adapters or belts.

af2

Main Control Tab

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count. Selecting this controls the direction of the Relative Position property below.
  • Relative Position: Set the number of steps from the current absolute position to move.
  • Absolute Position: Set the number of absolute steps.
  • Sync: Set the current focus position as the entered position.
  • Reverse Motion: reverse direction of the motor, if focus in/focus out are reversed in relation to the focuser physical movement(depends on how the autofocuser is mounted).
  • Max. movement: maximum position change in a single movement (in steps).

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Connection

Connect to the focuser using a USB cable. The connection type is serial and by default the port is set to /dev/ttyUSB0. The default baud rate is 9600. If you change the default port, save the changes by going to the Options tab and click Save configuration.

Operation

After establishing connection to the focuser, you can use the focuser control in the INDI control panel directly to move and sync the focuser. Alternatively, the focuser can be used in any INDI compatible autofocusing application.

Options

The options tab provides several settings to tune the operation and performance of the focuser:

  • Step mode:full (200 steps per revolution), half (400 steps per revolution), quarter (800 steps per revolution) and eight (1600 steps per revolution)
  • Settle buffer: if set, focuser returns "IsMoving" as TRUE for specified time (in ms) after focuser reaches target position, letting it to settle a bit. Useful if your focuser has any play.
  • Coils mode: Always on (recommended) - coils are powered at all times. Idle - off - coils are turned off when focuser is not moving. Idle - coils timeout (ms) - coils are turned off after a specified amount of time from the last move.
  • Idle - coils timeout: timeout period for Coils mode "Idle - coils timeout (ms)
  • Current - move: current used for moving the motor. More current results in bigger torque. 75% is recommended.
  • Current - hold: current used for holding the position when motor is not moving (Coils mode "Always on"). More current results in bigger torque. 75% is recommended.

Issues

Coils mode: there are some scenarios when coils can be turned off after a period of time (e.g. manual focusing via software). But generally, we recommend you to use Coils mode "Always on" for autofocusing procedures, as turning the coils off results in lost position of the motor. Additionally, if coils are turned on at all times, motor holds the focuser position and prevents slipping.

With holding current set to 100%, motor can get a little warm after a while.

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

]]>
knro Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:51:02 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/deepskydad-af2.html
Armadillo and Platypus Controllers https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/armadillo-and-platypus-controllers.html

Installation

INDI armadillo-platypus driver is included with libindi >= 1.6.0 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indi-armadillo-platypus

Features

Both the Armadillo and Platypus are advanced programmable controllers that can drive many different motors, attached to a variety of focusers. With this driver you can automate your focusing in a very accurate and customizable way, being able to drive almost any motor out there, from small and inexpensive dc motors to huge, power hungry motors.
For accurate focusing recycled stepper motors from old mounts, printers, etc, can be successfully used and driven with these controllers.

maincontrol

Operation

Connection

Apart from information on the driver, you can select the connection mode (for the moment only serial - that is, via USB - is developed). The baud rate is 115200, and the "autosearch" feature usually finds the correct port.

connection

Once connected, you can:

  • Move the focuser to a position relative to the current one - select "focus in" or "focus out" and specify the number of steps in the "relative position"
  • Move to an absolute position - just specify the step number.
  • Sync, that is, set a specific number as the current position of the motor.
  • Abort the motion at any time.

You will also get information on the current temperature reading (using the internal or external sensor, you can configure this in the Settings tab), and the firmware version of your controller.

Presets

You can save up to 3 motor positions in the "presets" tab to quick and easily perform goto to any of them later. Usually the "fully racked in", and "approximate focus" positions are good candidates to store here.

presets

Settings

Here is the configuration of the motor and controller. Port: select which port the motor is attached to. Just one port for the moment.

  • Max speed: speed at which the motor will turn. At the default value of 9800, good for our stock motors, the motor will take 36 seconds to perform a full turn - that is 10 miliseconds per step, and 3600 steps / turn. This value works fine for many motors. If you are tuning a different motor, in general faster speeds work better in smaller steppers.
  • Temperature sensor: just select the external one if connected, the internal otherwise.
  • Backlash: if enabled, you can input the value (in steps) in the field and click "set". The backlash will be applied in every change of direction of the motor.
  • Halfstep: if you find your motor is not precise enough for your setup, you can double the effective steps by selecting halfstep. Please note this also halves the speed!
  • Motor type: just select your current motor type. Lunatico's stock motor (as well as many others, Robofocus, Moonlite, Lakeside...) is Unipolar. With "bipolar" you can also drive most unipolar motors but with increased torque, if needed, apart of course of driving true bipolar motors (such as the ones mounted in Feathertouch focusers). "DC" motors are the ones used in inexpensive motofocusers, as sold by Orion, Skywatcher and others. You can control it simulating stepper behaviour (choose a very slow speed!), but their accuracy won't be too good
    in any case.Last, "Step-dir" is used to control 3rd party motor drivers, which can be used with very big or very exotic motors. With this option, you can effectively drive any motor in the market.
  • Wiring: so you don't have to mess with the cables. For this kind of motors, with 4 wires, only 2 types or wiring are commonly used, A B A' B' (which is
    Lunatico normal wiring) or A A' B B' (RF/Moonlite wiring). Select reverse if the motor moves in the wrong direction (it should rack in the focuser
    when the steps get smaller).

settings

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at Github.

]]>
knro Mon, 04 Dec 2017 10:51:32 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/armadillo-and-platypus-controllers.html
GTD Integra85 Focusing Rotator https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/gtd-integra85-focusing-rotator.html

Installation

The GTD Integra85 Focusing Rotator is included with libindi >= 1.6.0 Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

The Integra 85 is a focusing rotator. It has a clear aperture of 85 mm, a backfocus of 69 mm, and a travel of 10 mm. The focusing function of the Integra85 is based on 3 fine pitch leadscrews running in special low friction nuts that provide high loading capacity up to 8 kg with a travel of 10 mm in 188600 0.05 micron steps. The rotator is using a traditional wormwheel, the 360 degrees is divided up in 61802 steps. The focuser has an autocalibration feature.

 

20171120 screen1

 

Main Control tab

  • Direction: Focus IN or Focus OUT. IN decreases ticks count, OUT increases ticks count.
  • Relative Position: Set the number of steps from the current absolute position to move.
  • Absolute Position: Set the number of absolute steps.
  • Abort Motion: Stop any focus motor movement.
  • Sensors: Reading of the focuser temperature sensor.

Presets tab

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Settings tab

  • Max position: The focuser and rotator maximum travel in steps.
  • Home at Center: This autocalibrates the focuser using a homing sensor and places the focuser in the center position at 94300 steps.

 

20171120 screen6

 

Rotator tab

The rotator position can be controlled via either setting the absolute ticks count or angle. To change the current absolute position to a new position without moving the rotator, use Sync to set the new desired position. Once Sync is set, the current absolute position shall report the synced ticks.

  • Goto (Angle): Rotate to the specified angle.
  • Abort Motion: Stop any rotator motor movement.
  • Sync: Synchronise the current position as the specified angle.
  • Reverse: Reverse angle direction.
  • Goto (Ticks): Rotate to the specified tick count.

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at Github.

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H__ Fri, 24 Nov 2017 20:24:48 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/gtd-integra85-focusing-rotator.html
Sesto Senso https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/sesto-senso.html

Installation

Sesto Sensor driver is included with libindi >= 1.5.0. Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

SESTO SENSO is a robotic focusing motor for telescopes and compatible with most focusers. Install it in place of the micrometer knob and connect it to USB port to remotely control without vibration and with high precision your telescope's focuser! Thanks to the precise control motor with integrated electronics, SESTO SENSO achieves incredible precision of just 0.7 microns.

Sesto Senso

Main Control Tab

  • Direction: Select focus direction.
  • Relative Position: Move the focus by a relative amount in the direction specified above.
  • Absolute Position: Move focuser to an absolute position in ticks.
  • Sync: Set current position as the supplied offset without moving the focuser.
  • Temperature: read out of the built in temperature sensor or the external temperature probe.

Connection

  • Select connection port, by default, it's set to /dev/ttyUSB0.
  • Select Auto-search parameters.

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Operation

Set the focuser connection port under the Connections tab. Click connect in the Main Control Tab to establish connection. The INDI SestoSenso driver provides basic functionality that includes settings of absolute and relative position. Use Sync to set the current position to any desired value. It can be used by autofocus software such as Ekos.

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at Github.

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knro Tue, 17 Oct 2017 18:46:32 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/sesto-senso.html
Pegasus DMFC https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-dmfc.html

Installation

Pegasus DMFC driver is included with libindi >= 1.5.1. Under Ubuntu, you can install the driver via:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mutlaqja/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libindi1

Features

Pegasus Dual Motor Focus Controller (DMFC) is a Dual-Motor Focus Controller that supports two kind of motor types.

  • High Resolution Stepper motors for absolute position focusing.
  • DC motors by its Pulse Width Modulation duty cycle control.

Controller can switch motor mode from its software, Mode can be instantly changed from Stepper to DC motor and saved in controller’s EEPROM memory.

The driver supports all the capabilities of the controller including temperature readout, backlash settings, led and reversibility controls.

Pegasus INDI Control Panel

Main Control Tab

From the main control panel, the focuser can be moved in absolute steps using the controls shown above. Set the desired position in the Absolute Position control and then press Set to start the motion.

Alternatively, focuser can be moved in Relative steps Inward or Outward.

When the focuser is closest to the back of the OTA, it is considered fully retracted. Focus IN motion is always from larger steps to smaller steps (e.g. 4000 to 3000), while focus OUT is the opposite (e.g. 3000 to 4000). Therefore, when fully retracted, the focus position should generally indicate zero. Fortunately, even if the current position does not match what you expect, you can sync the focuser position to any arbitrary ticks position by setting the sync control in the main control panel.

Settings

Pegasus Settings

All primary settings can be set in the Settings tab. All the settings can be saved by going to the Options tab and clicking Save under configuration.

  1. Reverse: Switch direction of motion.
  2. Backlash: Set whether backlash compensation is enabled or disabled. Set the desired backlash value in ticks.
  3. Encoders: Encoders are enabled by default. Disable them to manually change the position of the focuser without affecting the current position ticks count.
  4. Motor Type: Set appropriate motor type for the focuser.
  5. Max Speed: Set Maximum stepper speed. It is recommended to use the default value of 400 for stable and smooth motion.
  6. LED: Turn On/Off LED

Presets

You may set pre-defined presets for common focuser positions in the Presets tab.

  • Preset Positions: You may set up to 3 preset positions. When you make a change, the new values will be saved in the driver's configuration file and are loaded automatically in subsequent uses.
  • Preset GOTO: Click any preset to go to that position

Operation

The INDI Pegasus DMFC driver provides complete functionality for all the features supported by Pegasus including relative and absolute positioning, temperature readout, preset and configuration parameters.

It can be controlled from any INDI-compatible client. Illustrated below is the focus control with Ekos:

Pegasus DMFC in Ekos

Issues

There are no known bugs for this driver. If you found a bug, please report it at INDI's bug tracking system at SourceForge. (You can log in with a variety of existing accounts, including Google, Yahoo and OpenID.)

]]> knro Wed, 13 Sep 2017 19:37:39 +0100 https://indilib.org/individuals/devices/focusers/pegasus-dmfc.html