UNIWERSAŁ 3.2 m observatory dome

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1 -see the best with us- UNIWERSAŁ 3.2 m observatory dome manuals,informations and specifications UNIWERSAŁ the oldest and best known manufacturer of top-quality astronomy and optical equipment in Poland

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. About us General informations Control Elements UNIWERSAL 3.2M OBSERVATORY DOME UNIWERSAŁ 3.2m Manually Controlled Observatory Dome UNIWERSAŁ 3.2m Electrically Controlled Observatory Dome UNIWERSAŁ 3.2m Computer Controlled Observatory Dome TECHNICAL DATA Gear system setup Remote controller Main connector Components SOFTWARE AND SPECIFICATION DRAWNINGS...14

3 ABOUT US UNIWERSAŁ company, founded in 1986 in Żywiec, Poland, is the oldest and best known manufacturer of top-quality astronomy and optical equipment on the Polish market. The company specializes in the production and sale of telescopes, both for amateur and professional use, observatory domes, complete dome observatories, and also binoculars, coin-operated telescopes, microscopes, and other accessories. We also offer a brand new approach to the client, by supplying an assembled and ready-to-use observatory dome delivered to the client s place of choice, together with a training about their operation and functioning. The trust gained in the national market has enabled us to develop and expand to the European market. Our professional team guarantees long-term operation of our observatories, while maintaining direct contact with the clients enables us to enjoy good reputation, which, apart from the quality, is the most important feature of the UNIWERSAŁ company. OUR PRODUCTS UNIWERSAŁ specializes in the production and sale of: telescopes, both for amateur and professional use; observatory domes; complete dome observatories; binoculars; coin-operated telescopes; microscopes; and other optical equipment and accessories. 5.2m and 3.2m professional observatory domes

4 The dome elements have a safe 12-V power supply, which guarantees users safety. In emergency situations, the electrical and computerised domes can always be closed, from every position, and regardless of power supply, as a UPS is used to maintain power supply for the control box only, which enables us to close the observatory shutters for about 4 hours from an external power cut. Otherwise, an emergency closing kit, which is included in the set, needs to be used. The observatory dome is a self-supporting structure based on a steel mount enabling unlimited turn of 360 degrees, and the rotation is unlimited. For the computer and electrical control version, we use top and bottom connectors, which come in contact at a specific point called home position. The home position is used to transmit signals from the dome to the control box and also to power the opening and closing mechanisms. For an accurate calibration of the telescope with the observatory dome, the home position must be synchronized with the actual azimuth reading of the telescope pointed at the home position Additionally, we offer a free professional telescope pier (in black or white) to every observatory dome. For a perfect pier stability, please contact us to find out how to prepare the concrete floor and holes for fixing bolts. We offer a completely assembled and ready-to-use observatory delivered to the client s place of choice. However, the total weight of the UNIWERSAŁ 3.2 observatory dome is about 250 kg without base, so a crane or a fork-lift truck will be necessary for the unloading at the client s premises. The unloading equipment needs to be present before our arrival, as some details need to be coordinated with the operator. In locations inaccessible for a crane or a forklift, it is possible to unload/move the observatory dome with the help of 8 people. Special fixtures and hand grips can be sent together with the structure. For safety reasons please ask about advice and photos. Also, some of our clients want to move the dome, after some time, to another place. In such a case, please contact us to ask how to do it and take benefit from our experience and expertise in order to avoid complications. We will send you special pictures and a detailed description what to do and how, and what to pay special attention to.

5 2.1 UNIWERSAŁ 3.2m Computer Controlled Observatory Dome Elements and specifications: height of a standalone observatory 3.6 m dome diameter 3.2m dome weight 200 kg dome material polyester composite executed with glass fibre mat impregnated with polyester resin welded mount structure (C-shape rings, metal plates, rectangular profiles; outside finished with steel plates in a range of colours) base weight: approx. 350 kg shutter width 100 cm number of shutters: 2 the top and bottom shutters are opened electrically opening of the bottom shutter: servo-motor (DC, 12 V, 300 W) opening of the top shutter: motor (DC, 12 V, 350 W) with worm gear mechanism emergency closing set (ups or battery closing set) base rings for the mount and for the rotation system: 80-mm bent channel bar rotation mechanism: 6 bearings, motor (300 W, 3x 230 V) with worm gear mechanism built-in encoder calculating impulses at rotation dome rotation ring accuracy: up to 1 cm electronic control box UPS and all wiring, cables and connectors included wireless remote control opening and rotation with the use of a remote control or computer interior light controlled with the use of a remote control or computer computer with all accessories within the observatory set: - monitor of 24 for the complete control of the dome and astronomy equipment; - operational system choice: Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10; - everything ready for operation with software installed and configured cooperation with most GOT system telescopes components executed in CNC technology, cut by laser inside condensation water drainage system weather protection system against snow, ice, frost, wind, sun and dust additionally: a professional telescope pier free of charge 2-year warranty instruction manual note :! dome is ready to use! note :! We deliver dome to customer!

6 Suggested setting of computer and other equipment inside the dome. In such a way, it takes less space and is connected to power supply with no additional extensions. It enables easy disconnection and removal for maintenance. The UPS on the floor allows to close the dome in case of emergency closing and for first test when the dome arrives to the client s. Once the dome element gets in contact with bottom connector in home position, we can open or close the dome shutters. This can be done in three different ways : 1) UNIWERSAŁ software: just click open or close; or 2) using the remote control 3) using the emergency closing set Red arrow on picture above shows direction of the dome when adding impulses from encoder to the home position when moving other way impulses are substracted from the home position. For example : home position is 140 deg. When moving to the left for 20 degrees encoder will show 160 deg, when moving to the right encoder will show 120 degrees. All elements for the dome are tested before assembly and after assembly.

7 Accessories for the electrically and computer controlled dome: The remote is used in electric version of the dome as the main controller, and for the computer version is the second, auxiliary controller, as well as convenient controlling during visual sky observations. up - open shutters down - close shutters left - rotate left right - rotate right stop - stop/hold rotation light - light on/off (inside dome lighting) Remote control specifications: - range: 100m (in open area) - LED flash when operating - dimensions(height/width/thickness) : 10cm x 6cm x 2cm

8 Dome in home position - now shutters can be close or open - also state of the shutters are shown in Uniwersal dome control software. When lower and upper connect then it is the home position of the dome. Lower and upper connector of home position is used for the transmission of signals from the dome to the control box and also to power the opening and closing mechanisms.

9 Motor for upper shutter: W - 12 V - DC Teeth made of hard steel Adjustable distance between motor and teeth Motor for rotation with encoder W, 3x230v AC Elements : - lower connector with power supply cabel and with signal cabel - cabel types : LIYCY - encoder type : TCST enocder resolution 0,225 degrees per impuls - motor 3x230VAC controlled by frequency inverter - acceleration time : 0.3 sec - deceleration time : 0.3 sec other advatages : - all connectors are sealed - triple insulated wires - all parts made of steel, polyamide and aluminum - the dome is completely free from any electrostatic charges - construction is grounded - hermetic for the connections We use highest quality hermetic connectors

10 Power jack for lower shutter: W - 12 V - DC - quiet mode - limit switches - adjustable lenght 4) Lower and upper connector. The lower connector is mounted to the rotation motor. 6 rollers send signals to the lower connector and to the control box. Upper connector is adjustable : left and right to be parallel to the lower connector Steel rack gear for dome rotation and for the upper shutter drive -8-mm hardened steel rack gear -welded to the dome ring -durable - with no visual wear and tear for years -accuracy of up to 1 mm -maintenance: first additional greasing necessary after 2 years of operating - any part of the dome can replaced and is available - maintenance of lower and upper connector after 12 months when needed - leveling of the rack gear in not nessesary

11 1.3 UNIWERSAŁ Observatory Dome Control Software The software for controlling the dome is very simple, and the menu is readable and clear. The programme is designed for maximum functionality and ergonomics. All data is provided and the computer is set and configured for use. There is no need for specialist knowledge about the dome or the mechanisms once the values are put in. A backup copy can be made of the program to any data storage device. All parameters and all values of sensors are given in the manual supplied together with the dome. The most important software options for the observatory are: closing and opening of the dome with the possibility to stop; left and right rotation with the possibility to stop; sensors showing whether the observatory is open or close; home position sensor; encoder showing the dome position according to which the telescope is positioned exactly in the centre of the slot; status and position of the telescope; interaction with the ASCOM platform (for some telescopes, the software is dedicated to a specific person, so the producer of the equipment needs to be consulted whether their software interacts with the ASCOM platform). In case of any problems, we are here to help online using a TeamViewer programme. - to connect telescope to the system goto settings/telescope/select telescope - save settings, click box telesccope to the right, coordinates will appear, click go home, click synchronize and dome will move to the telescope azimuth. - for proper synchronization dome parameters must be correct, dome placement, grid, offset in telescope menu ( x,y,z and gem -r ) * For some mounts, there is no driver on the ASCOM website available. In such a case, please contact the mount manufacturer to ask about ASCOM drivers. For some mounts, only the person/entity who owns the mount can receive the software.

12 1.4 Control box usb card: - 5 digital inputs (0= ground, 1= open) (on board test buttons provided) - 2 analogue inputs with attenuation and amplification option (internal test +5V provided) - 8 digital open collector output switches for relays (max. 50V/100mA) (on board LED indication) - 2 analogue outputs for clud sensors and rain sensors : 0 to 5V, output resistance 1K5 PWM 0 to 100% open collector outputs max 100mA / 40V (on board LED indication) - general conversion time: 20ms per command - power supply through USB: approx. 70mA control box: - power inverter ac, shutters power supply, wireless remote control - 4 relays for dome operation, 4 relays for additional devices, additional constant power 12 vdc and 5 vdc connectors for any device To synchronize the telescope with the dome, download the telescope ASCOM driver from: for the specific telescope you have*. To align with the use of the home position sensor, connect the telescope first and point it to the home position of the dome, read the actual azimuth of the dome (the dome and telescope azimuth must be the same). * For some mounts, there is no driver on the ASCOM website available. In such a case, please contact the mount manufacturer to ask about ASCOM drivers. For some mounts, only the person/entity who owns the mount can receive the software.

13 The first settings menu window: - the home position according to telescope azimuth has to be set first - set your dome coordinates - grid means how many impulses are counted when the dome do full-circle - for driver we always use a k8055 USB card - dome parking - dome diameter for 3.2m is 3140mm The second settings menu window: - automatic open and close can be set - when the dome is open, the software can connect with the telescope and synchronize with the observatory - additional options and alogorithms will be added if customer wish to have more options The third settings menu window: - this menu is to set the telescope parameters this is the most important window for the telescope-dome synchronization - the telescope placement in the dome is also important for perfect alignment - precision means the range between telescope and dome

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17 manual, parameters and basic information for remote control and telescope synchronization : * ) home position - point where upper and lower connector meets. Connector have 6 plates - two for home position, one for open, one for close and two for power supply for close and open the dome. HP is a real azimuth of the place - can use compas or smartphone compass. Dome starts to count always from the home position - always start to work with dome from the home position ( use for example goto home command ). *) card counter - let say our home base is 140 deg. for used standing in the dome it starts counting up when moving right and down when moving left ( same as telescope ). number of impulses - move dome to the home position. slightly move it to the right just to leave the home position. now press goto home - dome will do full rotation and will show number of impulses on the full circle. this number will be put in the grid ( settings>dome = grid ). this is very important when synchronizing with the telescope. diameter of the dome - is the size of the dome - for the 2.2m dome is 2110 mm for the 3.2m dome is 3114 mm. *) after putting all parameters into the program we can continue with the ascom telescope chooser where ascom driver will contact with the dome and with other programs via ascom hub or ascom poth. *) when using paralactic mount with telescope set is moving from one left to right and its called pier side of the mount. it is solution because paralactic mount would crash into the pier after some time and it must do meridian flip, after meridian flip telescope is pointing to the same object, have the same azimuth but is on the left/right side of the mount, dome software must know on witch side is the telescope and make correction. offset is required only for paralactic mounts.

18 *) all ascom telescopes can be downloaded from here : for Meade : meade autostar classic I driver for Celestron : celestron driver for Skywatcher : celestron driver for Takahashi : temma driver for Messu : messu driver for ASA : asa driver for Paramount : pramamount driver for Gemini : meade classic driver *) after installing ascom telescope driver we can proceed with the synchronization procedure. *) note : please close all programs using the telescope interface when connecting to the dome *) sample of step by step procedure for synchronization: - install ascom platform 5 or 6 - install ascom telescope driver - check number of impulses and put value in grid - put diameter of the dome (in mm) - check the home position according to compass and put value in settings>dome = home - goto settings>telescope>choose telescope> choose ascom telescope ( or poth or hub ) - save settings - close all programs using telescope interface - click telescope box on the right of the programm - wait for few seconds and coordinates will appear - when telescope is not connected or used by non ascom program error will appear : ascom object - dome goto home - click synchronize and dome will goto az of the telescope - when offset is not correct it means that telescope is not well aligned or some parameter is wrong calculated. *) telescope must be aligned on stars and have real values of position in memory *) telescope must be aligned on stars and have real values of position in memory *) if telescope dont work with the dome properly : - check the parameters - check the telescope ascom driver - check if home position value is ok *)synchronization can be also made manually according to experience gained during tests

19 * ) other issues : 1) for the rotation please check if the upper conenctor stops cm from the lower conenctor. If no, can lower the speed on the power inverter, increase or decrease braking. upper connector can be adjusted up and down, please check after few months of use please check how conenctor is sliding on the lower conenctor. For adjusting height pleae use m8 allen key and make correction to get perfect level. in other axis please use lower connector and two m8 allen key. rollers must slide smooth on the surface. power inverter is device to control the rotation, speed, starting acceleration and stop deacceleration. standard is set during the assembly but can make some corrections in speed or acc/deacc after few months. for the 2.2m and 3.2m dome standard acceleration and deacceleration is 0.3 sec, optimal speed is 40hz. when testing the dome please consider that dome must have lowest vibrations for the stability and long time operations. sometimes its essential to set acc/deacc to 0,5 sec. When synchronizing dome and telescope its most important to operate easy and smooth. vibrations on telescope may occur when dome platform is made as one structure and telescope pier is not isolated from the dome ring. before starting ground works please contact us for plans and drawnings

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