Project Dashboard SatNOGS SatNOGS Rotator v3.0 Workflow

1 Azimuth frame

In this step we are constructing the frame.

  • You will need 4x T slot 20x20 L160, 9x T slot 20x20 L102, 20x Hidden corner connection slot 6.
  • Start by assembling using a 2mm Allen key.
  • Beware of the correct hidden corner connection orientation.
  • You can find the assembly diagram on the next step.
  • If you purchased square nuts that only fit into the slot from the end, be sure to insert them before assembling the frame with the hidden
You will need 4x T slot 20x20 L160, 9x T slot 20x20 L102, 20x Hidden corner connection slot 6.
Start by assembling using a 2mm Allen key.
Beware of the correct hidden corner connection orientation.

2 Azimuth frame 2

You should now have a complete frame.

  • Make sure you dont fasten the holding connectors for the extra L102 beam on one side.

  • Beware of the orientation (short side vs long side) of the hidden corners!

Make sure you dont fasten the holding connectors for the extra L102 beam on one side.
Beware of the orientation (short side vs long side) of the hidden corners!

3 Side assembly

For this step you will need:

  • 3D printed: Axis side with homing sensor (older version shown in the picture), Axis side, 2x Ball bearing housing

  • 8x M4-20 screws, 8x M4 nuts

  • 2x Ball Bearing 6008ZZ

Insert the 8 nuts in the pockets of the axis sides.

Attach the ball bearing housings on the back of each axis side and fasten it with M4-20 screws as shown.

Finally, place the ball bearings inside the pockets created.

side assembly parts
Insert the 8 nuts in the pockets of the axis sides.
Attach the ball bearing housings on the back of each axis side and fasten it with M4-20 screws as shown.
Finally, place the ball bearings inside the pockets created.

4 Side assembly on frame

In this step you will need:

  • 1x side assembly (the one without the homing sensor holder)

  • 4x M4 slot 6 nuts, 4x M4-10 bolts

Screw the M4-10 bolts through the side assembly as shown on the second picture and attach the M4 slot 6 nuts

Finally slide the whole piece inside the frame as shown (bottom side touching the frame) and secure it by screwing the 4 M4-10 bolts.

What you need
Screw the M4-10 bolts through the side assembly and attach the M4 slot 6 nuts
Finally slide the whole piece inside the frame as shown (bottom side touching the frame) and secure it by screwing the 4 M4-10 bolts.

5 Worm gear assembly

In this step you will need:

  • 3D Printed: Worm gear
  • Thread lock glue
  • 2x M5 nut, 1x M5 washer (wrong in the picture), 90mm M5 threaded rod

Apply glue as shown.

Follow the diagram for the dimensions.

Needed materials
Apply glue as shown.
Follow the diagram for the dimensions.

6 Side worm assembly

In this step you will need:

- The previous worm gear assembly.
- 3D Printed: Worm mount
- 2 ball bearings 625ZZ
- 4x M4 nut slot 6, 4x M4-10 screws, 2x M5 washer.

Insert the ball bearings inside the pockets of the mounts. Then screw the bolts into the nuts slot6 as shown in the pic.

Finally slide the worm mounts in the slot 6 rails as shown. First the one without the gear assembly first, then the second with the gear assembly as shown.

Don't forget the washers between the ball bearings and the worm gear assembly.
What you need
Insert the ball bearings inside the pockets of the mounts. Then screw the bolts into the nuts slot6 as shown in the pic.
Finally slide the worm mounts in the slot 6 rails as shown. First the one without the gear assembly first, then the second with the gear assembly as shown.

7 Second axis side on frame

In this step you will need:

  • The second axis side assembly (the one with the homing sensor holder)
  • 2x M4 slot6 nuts, 2x M4-10 bolts
  • 2x M4 slot6 nuts, 2x M4-20 bolts
  • The motor mount.

Attach the bolts, slot 6 nuts and the stepper motor mount.

Finally attach the whole assembly to the frame as shown in the picture.

What you need
Attach the bolts, slot 6 nuts and the stepper motor mount. Finally attach the whole assembly to the frame.

8 Axis spacer collar preparation

In this step you will need:

3D printed: Axis spacer collar
3x M3 nut, 3x M3-10 set screws

Insert the nuts in the pockets of 3d printed part, then screw the set screws as shown.

What you need
Insert the nuts in the pockets of 3d printed part, then screw the set screws as shown.

9 homing ring preparation

You will need:

The homing ring part

1x M3 nut, 1x M3-25 bolt.

One small piece of aluminum tape (or something that blocks the IR light)
What you need
Apply aluminum tape on ring
Insert bolt and nut

10 Axis in frame

Insert the M3 nuts to axis gear part.

Pass the axis through:

Axis collar spacer
Homing ring
Axis gear
Axis spacer
Insert the M3 nuts to axis gear part.
Pass the axis through
Axis passed

11 Tight up

Ensure that the distance from the tube to the frame is approximately 54mm as shown in the first image.

Tight all screws on axis gear part.

Apply some silicone grease on the axis gear and use a power drill to slowly run the worm gear for a couple of minutes in both directions .

Ensure that the distance from the tube to the frame is approximately 54mm
Tight all screws on axis gear part. Apply some silicone grease on the axis gear and use a power drill to slowly run the worm gear for a couple of minutes in both directions .

12 Placing the stepper motors (Follow this if you're using stepper motors)

In this step you will need:

4x M3-6 and 4x M3 washers
NEMA 17 stepper motor
GT2 pulley 20 T 5mm bore and GT2 pulley 36 T 5mm bore (not shown on the first picture)

Pass the small pulley through the stepper motor shaft and the larger through the worm shaft.

Place the motor under the mount and tighten the screws.

What you need
Pass the small pulley through the stepper motor shaft and the larger through the worm shaft.
Place the motor under the mount and tighten the screws.

13 Placing the DC motors (Follow this if you're using DC motors)

In this step you will need:

3x M3 nuts
4x M3-6 Head cap screws
3x M3-12 Head cap screws
3D printed part motor_mount_flange
GT2 pulley 20 T 6mm bore and GT2 pulley 36 T 5mm bore (not shown on the pics)

Bolt the motor on the flange

Insert the small pulley over the motor shaft and the larger through the worm shaft. Bolt the flange, with the motor, on the motor base.

What you need
Bolt the motor on the flange
Insert the small pulley over the motor shaft and the larger through the worm shaft. Bolt the flange, with the motor, on the motor base.

14 Timing belt placement

Loose the screws on the hidden corners in a way that the motor can slide towards the worm gear.

Place the the GT2 timing belt 158mm between the worm and motor pulleys.

Align the height of the pulleys and secure the pulleys on the axis.

Loose the screws on the hidden corners in a way that stepper motor can slide towards the worm gear.
Place the the GT2 timing belt 158mm between the worm and motor pulleys.
Align the height of the pulleys and secure the pulleys on the axis.

15 Tighten the belt

Slide the axis side to tighten the belt and secure the screws and hidden corners

Push the axis spacer collar onto the bearing and tighten the screws.

Slide the axis side to tighten the belt and secure the screws and hidden corners
Push the axis spacer collar onto the bearing and tighten the screws.

16 Magnetic encoder placement (Follow only if you are using DC motors )

In this step you will need:

1x M3 nut
1x M3-6 Head cap screw
1x M2-6 Thread-Forming Screw
SatNOGS encoder board
1x D6x2.5 Neodymium Diametric Magnet
And 3D printed parts: M3_TSlot20_nut, encoder_holder

Place the nut into the 3D printed part and slide it into the aluminum profile

Slide The pcb into the 3D printed part and use the M2 screw to gently hold it in place

Using some cyanoacrylate glue, fix the magnet over the center of the pulley that is over the worm gear

Bolt and align the encoder over the magnet using the M3 screw

What you need
Place the nut into the 3D printed part
slide it into the aluminum profile
Slide The pcb into the 3D printed part and use the M2 screw to gently hold it in place
Using some cyanoacrylate glue, fix the magnet over the center of the pulley that is over the worm gear
Bolt and align the encoder over the magnet using the M3 screw

17 Elevation axis frame

Assemble the elevation axis like the previous one.

Slide the hidden corners in the bottom side of the elevation axis as shown at the first picture.

Place the azimuth axis on top of the elevation in a way that the extension of the azimuth axis intersects with the elevation axis. The motors should be on the same side. Slide to the one side as shown in the picture.

Assemble the elevation axis like the previous one.
Slide the hidden corners in the bottom side of the elevation axis as shown at the first picture. Place the azimuth axis on top of the elevation in a way that the extension of the azimuth axis intersects with the elevation axis. The motors should be on the same side. Slide to the one side as shown in the picture.

18 Cover & mast

Insert the bottom side of the case and secure it using 4xM4-10 bolts 4xM4 T-slot nuts and 4xM4 washers

Place the upper side of the cover.

Final assembly with mast.

Insert the bottom side of the case and secure it using 4xM4-10 bolts 4xM4 T-slot nuts and 4xM4 washers
Place the upper side of the cover.
Final assembly with mast.
Done! Take me home