LACERTA Motor Focus - Stand Alone and ASCOM-compatible with camera synchronisation, microstep control, temperature sensor and handbox. Reproducible positioning in the micron range, load capacity over 5 kg.
Stand-alone and ASCOM-compatible motor focus in one: The MFOC Lacerta MotorFocus enables precise, reproducible motorised focusing of the telescope via a microstep-controlled stepper motor. The motor is connected via a backlash-free coupling, everything is completely encapsulated. On the one hand, it is a stand-alone system and comes with a handbox with digital display, on the other hand, it can also be used remotely. It is fully ASCOM compatible and communicates via USB with almost all ASCOM-compatible programmes, enabling V-curves and autofocus. Even in standalone mode, the system has full temperature compensation capability and offset positions for different filters. It works perfectly with the MGEN Superguider, and the automatic focus corrections are synchronised with the exposures – i.e. they do not take place during an exposure but in between. This prevents any small shifts or rotations caused by the movement of the OAZ tube during refocusing.
MFOC motor focus in standalone mode with handbox:
- The GOTO function helps to reach specified positions quickly and accurately.
- Backlash compensation is key to accurate positioning.
- Minimum and maximum positions are freely programmable to avoid mechanical problems at the end points of the OAZ stroke
- The temperature is displayed in 0.01° increments (with an accuracy of approx. 0.1°). The correction factor (steps/degree) can be easily determined with a simple test and freely programmed. The cable of the temperature sensor is long enough (approx. 180 cm) to be mounted close to the most temperature-sensitive part of the telescope (lens cell, mirrors).
- Filter offset distances relative to the main filter can be programmed; these offsets are taken into account during temperature compensation. You can focus on all filters and switch to any other filter as desired. Offset and compensation always work together.
- The Lacerta motor focus uses 3 speeds and switches between them automatically: microstep, full step and multi-step.
- If you use the Lacerta MGEN Superguider, you can loop the cable for the camera through the MotorFocus, and the MotorFocus will see the exposure signal. If a focus correction is then necessary, it waits until the exposure is finished and only corrects afterwards. This avoids focus corrections during exposure and any associated small lateral movements of the OAZ tube and the camera (shifting).
MFOC motor focus in ASCOM mode:
- If the Lacerta MotorFocus is controlled via ASCOM, the software used takes over all functions
- temperature and backlash compensation, V-curves, autofocus, whatever the software can do is possible
- Only motor currents and direction of rotation are regulated by the handbox and should be set correctly beforehand. Backlash and temperature compensation are deactivated in the handbox (set to zero).
The most important features:
- Remote (ASCOM) or standalone mode
- Handheld box with digital display and real-time display of all relevant information, control buttons and USB port
- Fully encapsulated motor and gear unit with powerful stepper motor, holds and moves > 5 kg
- 250,000 steps, reproducibility 1 micron 0.001 mm
- Temperature sensor (approx. 180 cm long)
- Automatic temperature compensation possible
- Permanent focus function
- GOTO function and filter offsets also adjustable in standalone mode via the handbox
- Backlash compensation (play compensation for the OAZ) - 2 types
- ASCOM driver compatible with almost all software (FocusMax, MaximDL, APT, ...)
- Free download of new firmware
- Manual focusing possible (after switching off and disconnecting the motor cable)
Compatible with the following focusers:
- Lacerta Octo60
- All focusers with Lacerta 1:10 upgrade
- Skywatcher Crayford with native 1:10 reduction
- Skywatcher Linear Power
