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This installation involved the Technical
Innovations DDW automation package on an Ash
dome. TI provided the interfaces to both
shutters operation (blue box shown in photo),
rotation control, and a new
power/communication transfer system. The
transfer system is a "sliding contact" concept
with heavy duty 12" copper contact strips
(rotating with dome) and "finger" contacts in a
frame (fixed to the lower dome base).
Since this dome is open to the public for
astronomy events, a protection panel was erected in
front of the transfer system to prevent
accidental contact (one panel is removed from
the frame in photo). Technical Innovations works closely
with owners of non-TI domes wishing to automate
to assure all custom needs are met.
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The photo at the right is of an Ash dome "push
button" control panel which has been modified by
Technical Innovations, including the automation
interface (aluminum box). This installation
provides the ability to continue use of the push
button controls when the DDW software is not
actively engaged with the observatory. DDW also
has a small hand control to operate the
observatory functions.
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The Technical Innovations RoboFocus system is
install on more than 3,000 telescopes on all
seven continents (five units are at the French
research station in Antarctica). For more
details visit the RoboFocus web site at
www.robofocus.com
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