At this point, almost everything is done; it just needs to be printed out. In the last update, I shared how I have files upon files of CAD models for each part of the radio telescope. Other than a few tweaks here and there, it's mostly stayed the same. Right now, I'm focused on printing out each component, but because the radio telescope is much larger than what my 3D printer can handle, I had to cut many of the larger components (like the chassis) into multiple pieces that I have to screw together with custom-made 3D-printed screws. Each of the eight main pieces that make up the chassis took about a day to print, so the telescope is coming together slowly but surely.
The main parts that remain unprinted are the top enclosure, some gears, gear plates, the mounting assembly that will hold the dish, and the drive mechanism that will move it left and right. These parts are the most complex in the entire telescope, so printing them might be difficult, but we'll see. Below, you can watch a video of me walking through the radio telescope so far.
The main issues have revolved around the material I use to print each part. I use PLA plastic with my 3D printer. PLA is meant for rapid prototyping, decorative items, and high-detail models—not for a radio telescope—but I don't have another option. The material most people use for functional, load-bearing parts is PETG. But printing PETG is toxic, meaning I would need a glass cover around the printer (like an aquarium) and a vacuum tube to suck out the air and blow it out the window. PLA doesn't have this problem. As a matter of fact, it's much safer to print with because it doesn't release harmful fumes during printing. Buying those extra safety precautions (not to mention that printing with PETG is much more time-intensive) just isn't feasible for me.
But I honestly don't mind. Using PLA is like an extra challenge. I really have to think about how to reinforce weaker components through design, and it makes the whole process much more rewarding. In the video, I mentioned how one of the components that make up the legs broke because there was too much force being applied to it. The PLA plastic couldn't handle that force, so it snapped. The way I worked around this problem was by using superglue to secure the legs to the chassis so that they don't snap from stress. It's not perfect, but it's forced me to be more deliberate with every design choice, turning limitations into part of the build rather than obstacles.
With this milestone reached, stay tuned for the next update coming soon. In the meantime, stay curious and sidereal.