The Steeldrive II motorised focuser allows automated focusing of a telescope via a computer as well as precise and vibration-free focusing using the buttons on the handcontroller. It consists of a motor unit, which is connected to the fine drive of the telescope's focuser via a toothed belt without backlash, and a control unit, which houses the electronics and also serves as a handcontroller.
The Steeldrive II motor focuser includes:
- A motor unit with toothed belt and 3-metre connection cable, which can be adapted to all Baader Steeltrack® and Diamond Steeltrack® focusers.
- A 3D-printed magnetic holder for the homing sensor, which is attached to the focuser. A metal magnetic ring is available separately for Baader Diamond Steeltrack® focusers.
- The Baader Steeldrive Mark II controller with intuitive operation and buttons for manual control, including a 3-metre USB cable.
- A temperature sensor with cable (1 metre), supports dew cap heating control
- 12V/1.5A power supply, universal power supply for EU, GB and USA
- Velcro straps (cable ties) for strain relief cable attachment
- SteelGO software and ASCOM driver for controlling multiple motor focusers via a PC, available for download
High-precision focusing of heavy loads: The high-torque stepper motor is connected directly to the focuser via a toothed belt. This eliminates the backlash that would be caused by a gear transmission. The SteelDrive can move loads of up to 8 kilograms quickly and precisely. The step resolution is approx. 2.5 micrometres.
The intuitive manual control allows you to quickly find the focus and save the focus position. Several movement modes are available for this purpose:
- In normal mode, the focuser moves as long as a direction button is pressed.
- In jog mode, each press of the button moves the device a distance that can be configured using the SteelGo software (e.g. 0.1 mm).
- In single-step mode, the smallest possible step size (approx. 2.5 micrometres) is travelled each time a button is pressed.
The handcontroller can also be used to configure the limits, save and reset a known position, and activate or deactivate temperature compensation. The keyboard backlighting and the brightness of the status LEDs are dimmable.
Non-contact homing sensor: The SteelDrive motor unit has a non-contact (wear-free) homing sensor. The sensor is activated by a magnet that can be attached to the moving part of the focuser. It enables the repeatable positioning of stored positions and also serves as a reference for the mechanical end stop. A simple holder for the magnet is included in the scope of delivery and can be attached to the focuser. A metal magnet ring is available separately for the Baader Diamond Steeltrack® focuser. However, the SteelDrive can also be used without a homing sensor, as the absolute position is stored in the internal non-volatile memory at all times. Even in the event of a power failure, the absolute position is retained as long as the focuser is not moved by hand.
Temperature compensation: Two digital temperature sensors can be used simultaneously. One can be connected to the motor and one to the control unit. For automatic temperature compensation, one sensor can be selected or the average temperature of both sensors can be used. This allows the compensation to be adjusted to local conditions (e.g. measurement outside and inside the telescope). The temperature compensation factor is calculated using the SteelGO software and can be stored locally in the SteelDrive control unit. The compensation period and the delta-T threshold value can also be adjusted. This means that temperature compensation can also be used in standalone mode (without a connected computer).
The SteelDrive has a 12V/1A PWM output. This can be used with the optionally available adapter cable for the Steeldrive II controller AUX port to a cinch socket for common heating pads (dew cap heating) up to 10W. The power can either be set in the SteelGO software or a target temperature can be maintained in conjunction with one of the temperature sensors. This prevents unnecessary heat from entering the telescope by heating the dew shield to just above the dew point. Not only can the temperature of dew shields be controlled, but also the highly accurate temperature control (+/-0.1 °C) of optical filters or similar devices.
All parts are made in Germany. All mechanical parts are CNC-milled from aluminium. The electronic circuit boards were also developed and manufactured entirely in Germany. Only high-quality electronic components are used. The electronic circuit boards are additionally coated with a protective lacquer.
Low power consumption: The motor current is automatically reduced when the device is idle. The SteelDrive II then consumes approx. 0.7 watts.
