Very good progress on mounting AEAT-9000 Avago optical encoders in a mount. Definitely overkill, but precision alignment has been a snap, and once aligned, the encoder’s performance is solid.
The AEAT-9000 encoder delivers 17-bit resolution per revolution and therefore demands serious attention to mounting details.
The mount can certainly be made smaller in retrospect, but is not a driving factor for my usage cases at this time.
XY-positioner shown with encoder electronics, but encoder wheel is not present.
Full stack-up of (i) precision XY positioner, (ii) thrust and axial bearings, and (iii) low RPM DC motor for diagnostic purposes
Side view of the encoder test assembly. Only the upper 1/3 will be replicated for each telescope axis as the lower portion is devoted to the testing motor and axial couplers.