LACERTA MFOC motor focus Stand Alone and ASCOM-USB compatible MFOC //NEW! VERSION 3//
Product no.: MFOC
LACERTA MFOC motor focus Stand Alone and ASCOM-USB compatible
MFOC //NEW! VERSION 3//
Lacerta motor focus enables 1 micron accuracy!
bought new? For instructions and drivers and latest firmware please download the zip file from the Photos & Support tab (above the image above).
New - there is now an INDI driver for the MFOC !!!
Code : https://github.com/indilib/indi/tree/master/libindi/drivers/focuser
Online documentation : https://indilib.org/devices/focusers/lacerta-mfoc.html
The Lacerta MotorFocus was developed for precise position repeatability of up to 1 micron (0.001mm) accuracy. It can place 5kg of weight with this precision, see video with connected dial gauge. Of course, the focuser must also support this accuracy - here we use our Lacerta Octo60mic focuser.
Stand alone and ASCOM compatible motor focus in one
The MFOC Lacerta MotorFocus enables a precise, reproducible motorized focusing of the telescope via a microstep-controlled stepper motor. The motor is connected via a backlash-free coupling, everything is completely encapsulated. On the one hand it is a standalone system and comes with a hand box with a digital display, on the other hand it can also be used remotely. It is fully ASCOM compatible and communicates via USB with almost all ASCOM compatible programs, making V-curves and autofocus possible. The system also has full temperature compensation capability in standalone mode as well as offset positions for various filters. It works optimally with the MGEN Superguider , the automatic focus corrections are synchronized with the exposures - i.e. they do not take place during an exposure but in between. Possible small shifts or twists caused by the movement of the OAZ tube when refocusing are thus avoided.
MFOC motor focus in standalone mode with hand box:
- the GOTO function helps to reach specified positions quickly and accurately
- Backlash compensation is a key to accurate positioning. The Lacerta MotorFocus uses 2 methods, one for small and one for longer distances. The latter always approaches a new position from one direction only. If this direction is OUT and you want, for example, 30 steps IN, the motor automatically moves IN 4x the backlash value, and then the distance reduced by 30 OUT again. So the OAZ is always in the same backlash state. Distances and directions are freely programmable.
- min. and max. positions are freely programmable to avoid mechanical problems at the end points of the OAZ hub
- Even if that happens (e.g. after a power failure), the motor slips because the motor current is programmed accordingly. The movement and holding current can be set separately.
- the temperature is displayed in 0.01° subdivisions (with an accuracy of approx. 0.1°). The correction factor (steps/degrees) can be easily determined with a simple test and freely programmed. The temperature sensor cable is long enough (approx. 180cm) to be mounted close to the most temperature-sensitive part of the telescope (lens cell, mirror). The sensor has an eyelet so that it can be screwed tight and should be isolated from the outside air if possible.
- filter offset distances relative to the main filter can be programmed, these offsets are taken into account in the temperature compensation. You can focus on all filters and switch to others at will. Offset and compensation always work together.
- the Lacerta motor focus uses 3 speeds and switches them automatically: micro-stepping, full-stepping and multi-stepping. Multi-step is full-step, but calculation and display take more steps to be faster.
- if the Lacerta MGEN Superguider is used, the cable for the recording camera can be looped through the MotorFocus, and the MotorFocus sees the exposure signal. If a focus correction is then necessary, he waits until the exposure is complete and only corrects afterwards. This avoids focus corrections during the exposure and the associated small lateral movements of the OAZ tube and the camera (shifting).
MFOC motor focus in ASCOM mode:
- if the Lacerta MotorFocus is controlled via ASCOM, the software used takes over all functions
- Temperature and backlash compensation, V-curves, autofocus, whatever the software can do is doable
- only motor currents and direction of rotation are further regulated by the hand box and should be set correctly beforehand. Backlash and temperature compensation are disabled (zeroed) in the hand box
- when ASCOM is active, the letter "A" is shown in the display. Positions, status messages and temperature display continue to be actively displayed by the hand box.
- tested positive with the following programs: Astroart 4, Astro Photography Tool 2.82, D
SLR Focus V3,
FindFocus 1.2.0.0, FocusMax 3.8.0.20, Maxim DL 5.15, SharpCap 1.5.0.344.
the most important properties:
remote (ASCOM) or standalone mode
Hand box with digital display and real-time display of all relevant information, control buttons and USB port
Completely encapsulated motor and gear unit with powerful stepper motor, holds and moves > 5kg
250000 steps, repeatability 1 micron 0.001mm
Temperature sensor (approx. 180cm long)
automatic temperature compensation possible
permanent focus function
GOTO function and filter offsets can also be set in standalone mode via the hand box
Backlash compensation (backlash compensation for the OAZ) - 2 types
ASCOM driver compatible with almost any software (FocusMax, MaximDL, APT, ...)
free download of new firmware
//NEW//manual focusing possible (with V1 and V2 ONLY after switching off and removing the motor cable)
//NEW//Coupling for focus shaft 9.5mm and set of inlays for 8, 6, 4mm shafts:
With the 3 inlays and 2 pairs of grub screws of different lengths, the motor focus coupling can be adapted to different focuser shaft diameters:
smallest opening - for 4mm shafts
middle opening - for 6mm shafts
largest opening - for 8mm shafts (Takahashi)
without inlay for 9.5mm shafts (Feathertouch)
Videos of the MFOC:
Autofocus with APT via ASCOM:
The menu navigation:
We have summarized the menu navigation in a short video:
The temperature compensation
And here is a short guide with a focus on "temperature compensation"
Scope of delivery:
MFOC hand box
Temperature sensor approx. 180cm long, with screw-on eyelet
2 meter long 12V cable with cigarette plug (with 5A fuse)
190cm long RJ45 cable (between handbox and motor)
190cm long USB cable (Computer: ASCOM and/or FW upgrade)
Strong stepper motor (motor unit weight: 508 grams, dimensions 87x49x37mm)
Closed metal housing: gear and motor encapsulated and mounted dust-proof - no cheap plastic
Adaptation to Octo60-compatible focusers included (see list)
NEW: mounted coupling for focus shaft 9.5mm and set of inlays for 8, 6, 4mm shaft diameter
Adaptation to other pull-outs at extra charge!
Focusers compatible with the basic version:
Lacerta Octo60
all extensions with Lacerta 1:10 upgrade
Skywatcher Crayford with native 1:10 reduction
Skywatcher Linear Power
Skywatcher ESPRIT 80, 100, 120, 150
(Caution, some ESPRITs have a 6mm diameter focus shaft instead of 4mm - e.g. Esprit120 -
Determine Esprit focus shaft diameter - now adjustable with the inlays)
Other extensions can be adapted with an optional adapter set, the list is constantly growing:
TSRPA25 (which mounts on United Optics Apos, mostly white)
TSRPA25 (which is mounted on TS Apos, color can be either white or black) (with RPA25adapMFLA)
TSRPA30 (with RPA25adapMFLA)
APM Photoline (with RPA25adapMFLA)
all Takahashi extracts including FSQ series (with TAK2adapMFLA)
Starlight Feather Touch 2 inch (with FT20adapMFLA)
Starlight Feather Touch 3 inch (with FT30adapMFLA)
Starlight Feather Touch 3.5 inch (with FT35adapMFLA)
Moonlight Crayford 2 inch (special, please inquire)
Explore Scientific / Bresser Hexafoc (with RPA25adapMFLA)
Installation of the Basic Set using the Octo60 as an example:
Image: MFOC assembly
- Take the side with the micro focus on the focuser
- loosen the grub screw (A) which fixes the button on the focus shaft,
and also the grub screw (B) that holds the unit to the focus shaft housing, right next to it
- Pull off the focus button including the micro focus
- Hold the MotorFocusLA on the focus shaft instead of the button and slide it into the focus shaft housing
- the coupling which looks out pushes itself over the focus shaft,
fix with the grub screw (A) in the coupling on the shaft
- Fix the FocusMotorLA housing to the focus shaft housing with the grub screw (B), which first held the micro unit
- done: enjoy a thousandth!
Video instructions, step by step:
Lacerta Octo60mic, SkyWatcher Esprit, SkyWatcher Crayford, SkyWatcher LinearPower, Lacerta micfoc-S upgrade:
the hand has. The focus motor in its beautiful, stylish housing and the beautiful handpiece, the shape of which I also like with the MGEN and the MC3 handpiece, are a great symbiosis. Finally, the telescope with the adapted focuser no longer looks like a handicraft site." (Willi K., bought 3 pieces)
Markus Blauensteiner with FocusMax: I used the first light wizard last night. I just halved the HFD value from 40 to 20.
It ran without any problems - for all six cycles. Maybe you can add that to the manual for all users of Focus Max?
Now, automatic focusing works perfectly! Seeing was partly excellent yesterday (down to 1.2") and I am able to represent this on the images. I send you one of the V-curves - in my opinion, a nearly perfect curve has to look like this. Great work guys! Now, two (three) Lacerta parts are running in full remote operation: the Newtoinian telescope (together with the focuser) and the motor focus.
Price:
519,00 EUR
19 % VAT incl. excl. Shipping costs
