I try to design the best possible devices. However, when using them you may encounter various problems, most of which are quite easy to identify. This page was created to answer the most common questions that arise in connection with Astrodevice designs and finished devices. I want you to be as happy as possible with the product you get, so before you start making it yourself or before you buy a finished solution, please read the information below to be aware of the different technical aspects you may encounter when using Astrodevice solutions.
There are five main possible causes for technical problems:
That means that you downloaded the project files, printed the parts, assembled the whole thing but in the meantime you made a mistake somewhere. You may have not followed the technical instructions (e.g. used wrong layer heights or extrusion ratio}, made a mistake in printing, used wet filament, etc. The result may be a recalibrated device with incorrect dimensions, resulting in, for example, a bad image or inability to screw in thread filters.
Solution: Carefully read all the technical documentation that comes with the project. Every sentence there has meaning and sense, so don't skip anything. Never take shortcuts and don't rush. If you use external 3D printing services, choose good contractors and don't go for the lowest price. Good printing with good material has a cost. Give the company that is going to do the printing for you all the technical documentation. If threads are present in the design, leave the fittings, filters, etc. with the printing company so they can check after printing to make sure they screw in properly. It is also a good idea for you to read the Quality and Usage information that applies to our finished products. If you are buying accessories from Astrodevice, this page will give you an idea of what I consider to be the norm, the correct state of matter, and what you should and should not expect. This will be especially useful for people who don't have frequent contact with 3D printing technology.
If you are experiencing this class of problem, you may have put the device on incorrectly or crookedly. If the issue involves the filter drawer, for example, you may have over-tightened the threads, resulting in image distortion. You may have also stored the accessory in too high a temperature (e.g. in full sun in a parked car), which may have resulted in deformation of the device.
Solution: Some of these problems can be corrected if they do not involve permanent damage. Follow the technical documentation and if in doubt, contact me. I will try to help you identify and solve the usage problem.
Every production technology has its own dimensional accuracy. You can make devices very precisely, but they will never be mathematically perfect. Also, every problem in the physical world requires a solution within a given tolerance range. You cannot perform precise neurosurgery with a hammer or drive nails with a precise, lightweight scalpel. The required resolution of the problem and the resolution of the tool must match. Astrophotographic equipment often requires very high accuracy. For example, in Celestron's RASA 8 telescopes, the manufacturer expects backfocus accuracy of a hundredth of a millimeter, which is physically impossible to meet when using FDM 3D printing technology, which has accuracy to a tenth of a millimeter. Therefore, if you are working close to the limit of technological accuracy, you may encounter problems that prove to be very difficult to solve.
Solution: in this class of problems, theoretically it is difficult to find a good solution. You should either refrain from working at the dimensional tolerance limit or accept the consequences that come with it.
While this is the case, I used the word “theoretically” earlier for a reason. The point is that the scale of the problem should also be considered. Often the reason for going beyond the tolerance limit is a prodduction imperfection (point 1 above) and not a design limitation. If you remove the manufacturing imperfection and take care to use it under the right conditions, you will be within the acceptable limit. Let's take the example of a filter drawer again. If there is a small print imperfection left on any of the critical planes (blob, seam or subsonically protruding small element), the pressure of that plane against the telescope or camera will not be perfect and this will go out of tolerance and cause visible tilt. Unless you look very closely at the effect of the print, you'll probably conclude that it's a technology or design problem. Similarly, if you have two pieces in an accessory that are supposed to be screwed together, they may not adhere perfectly. Again, perhaps it's a printing problem, perhaps the problem is a protruding threaded insert or something else. Asttrodevice accessories are designed and tested to work within the correct tolerance range. So (still sticking with the filter drawer example) although Celestron specifies a RASA 8 backfocus of 28.73 mm, a drawer having 28.70 +- 0.05 mm also works great and you shouldn't notice any problem. Provided, of course, that you have a properly working telescope, camera, have used recommended materials and have not made a manufacturing error.
Because Astrodevice's main technology is 3D printing from plastic, the products are not as durable and resistant to failure as metal products. Even if they are reinforced with carbon fiber. They must be handled carefully and slowly so as not to damage them. When using threads, be careful not to damage them.
Properly used, Astrodevice can be a lot of fun, and should last a long time and produce beautiful results, but for this, one thing is important: be careful and gentle. Do not do anything by force.
Solution: If you have damaged your device, in most situations you can print a replacement part using the free design database.
Not only can the contractor, user, and work context be guilty of the problem, but also the designer. Even though I do my best to check my designs, it may turn out that I made a mistake somewhere. This is one of the reasons why I make all my designs available for free, so that everyone can check my concept before they
decide to go into production. I urge everyone to read all the technical documentation and preview STL files before deciding to manufacture.
Solution: If you have any suggestions about my accessories you noticed an error on the site or in the documentation, or you think that any of the designs should be improved - please contact me.