** SUPASLIM MOTORISED FILTER WHEEL**
*** PRINCIPAL FEATURES ***
* Universal wheel for 1.25", 48mm/2" and 50mm unmounted filters through the use of interchangeable internal disks
* Instant access to filters/disks without interfering with the telescope, focuser or CCD camera
* Intelligent onboard electronics for standalone operation using optional Field Hand Unit if required
* Control from MaxIm, AstroArt, CCDSoft, etc, plus stand alone program, via RS232C interface
* 4/dark and 5-way disks available for 48mm filters, 6+dark and 8-way disks for 1.25" filters
* Precision accuracy by the use of infra-red beams and 'V' indent /spring plunger system
* All popular filter makes supported eg Astrodon/Schuler, Astronomik, True Tech, Lumicon, etc
* Automove to filter No 1 position on power on or reset command from PC (eg after disk change)
* Ultra slim design of only 21.5mm thick permits installation in limited back-focus systems
* 2" SCT or M54x0.75 threads on faceplates for maximum clear aperture, plus wide range of adapters
* Wide range of adapters for connection to virtually any telescope or CCD camera or digital SLR
* 12v dc operation (12v psu supplied as standard)
* Compact design (6" diameter only ) and lightweight (0.6Kg - 1.3lb) unloaded
* Disk assembly for 50mm unmounted glass filters now available - click here for full page and images
Images at the top of the page show 5 x 48mm filter disks, and images above show 7 x 1.25" filter disks installed in a SS wheel. The label side is the filter side, and there are no protrusions on this side of the SS wheel. Thus if you have a physically large CCD camera which is required to be close-coupled to the SS wheel (eg ST-10 - see below), then this side of the SS wheel must face towards the CCD camera (ie outwards from the telescope). However, for cameras even up to 96mm (3 3/4") diameter, there is sufficient clearance to allow the SS wheel to be installed either with the filter side towards the telescope, or towards the CCD camera.
Centre images show the open wheels. At lower right are the two IR sources for positional control of the internal disk
Right images show the 'Rear' view (motor/telescope side). Note the electronics box at lower left. On the base of the box are the power inlet connector (2.1mm jack) and RJ6/6 socket for the serial interface connection.
Click on left image to see larger image showing the pin-holes and 'V' indents on the disk. Filter 1 is at the top when the 'V' just below the two pin-holes at lower right is at 120° clockwise from top centre. We then count anti-clockwise from the top for subsequent filter positions, ie Blue = 2, Green = 3, etc. Thus you would initially load your filters according to this scheme. The centre image shows the rear of the 5-way disk, and the right image is a close-up of the nylon drive gear which you can see does not impinge upon the light path through the 48mm filters.
Left image is filter side view of a 7 x 1.25" disk. As before, the two pin-holes at lower right determine that Green = 1, Blue = 2, Yellow = 3, etc. The centre boss has a radial hex screw to lock it firmly to the stainless steel shaft, and the shaft runs smoothly in the straw-coloured phosphor-bronze bushes at each end. There are three screws which attach the nylon gear and clamp the filter disk to the wheelboss.
Alternative disks available in addition to the 5 x 48mm and 7 x 1.25" disks covered above:
The 4d (4 x 48mm + 'd') and 6d (6 x 1.25" + 'd') disks above have Filter position 1 blanked off, and this is a 'dark frame' position for those cameras that do not have integral shutters. Note that the dark position is not a sealed shutter like that of a camera, so you should not attempt to take long exposure dark frames either in high ambient light conditions or when the telescope is pointing at a bright celestial object. The disk at right is for 8 x 1.25" filters.
Left image shows the clearance between the disk and wheelhousing, which is approximately 8.5mm on the right-hand (filter) side of the disk. The disk is 3mm thick (male threads on filter rings are typically 2.5mm so will not protrude through), and you can see how the disk drops into place so that the nylon gear engages with the pinion on the motor shaft. The right image shows three different makes of 48mm filter installed in a 5-way disk - at centre is an Astrodon/Schuler, which has a wall height of 8mm, at left is an Astronomik filter with a wall height of 5mm and at right a True Tech filter with a wall height of 6mm - so quite a variety, but no problem in mixing filters from different manufacturers !
Left image shows the SupaSlim wheel on a Takahashi Sky 90 with a Starlight Xpress HX516 CCD camera.
At right see how easy it is to remove a disk - INSTANTANEOUS ......AND......
* you do NOT need to touch the telescope, thereby preserving the focus position
* you do NOT need to touch the CCD camera, thereby preserving its angle of orientation
* you can immediately clean a rogue filter or exchange a filter or indeed put in a different filter disk
* you can insert a disk at ANY angle, close the wheel-housing and secure the catch, then plug in power (or if
already powered up issue a reset command from the PC or Field Hand Unit), and the wheel will do an autolearn sweep and go to Filter 1 position.
From the above image, note the clearance between the focuser and the top edge of the motor. The top edge of the motor is 48.5mm from the optical centre-line, and the motor protrudes 21mm from the housing of the SupaSlim. There is nothing protruding on the right side of the SS, so any size of CCD camera or digital SLR can be close-coupled to the SupaSlim. However, for Starlight Xpress and similar cameras, you can see that there is a lot of clearance to the motor so that the SS wheel could be mounted with the motor on the same side as the CCD camera.
*** CONFIGURATIONS AND ADAPTERS ***
Use with Full Frame CCD chips
With there now being several cooled astro cameras with full frame sensors, and many digital SLRs also utilising these monsters, it is the case that 2"/48mm filters are barely large enough, the chips being 43.25mm on the diagonal, and most filters having a clear aperture of around 45mm only. Thus vignetting may well be caused by the filter itself, unless mounted close to the CCD chip. With fast photographic systems, which are commonplace these days, a fairly steep cone of light has to be accommodated. Thus the filter may not turn out to be the main obstacle, but instead the adapters on the front of a filter wheel may be the limiting factor, as demonstrated below:
In the above pictures, a full frame Starlight Xpress SXVFH-36 camera is attached to a SupaSlim wheel. In the left picture a conventional T-Ring has been used, which has an internal aperture of 38mm only, far less than the diagonal of the chip. So even with parallel light some vignetting will occur.
The right-hand picture is clearly much better, where a 2" push-fit adapter has been used on the front of the filter wheel, but even here it can be seen that only a very narrow angle can be accommodated before vignetting occurs. It is the same situation if a SCT-thread coupler was used, which would have about the same internal clear aperture of around 46mm, just a bit larger than that of a 2"/48mm filter.
The above configuration uses a new front plate (which can be easily retro-fitted to any True Tech filter wheel). This plate, instead of having a 2" female SCT thread, now has a female M54 x0.75 thread, which is the same thread that is used by Takahashi and others for their 'Wide' T-Rings. Nearly all Takahashi instruments use camera adapters, especially in conjunction with focal reducers and field flatteners, that employ this 54mm thread. A low profile M54 male-male adapter is used to couple the filter wheel to a camera adapter, or directly to the back of an astrograph such as the Epsilon 180. The internal aperture of the M54 adapter is 2", and the considerable increase in field of view can be clearly seen - eg the nylon gear (situated just behind the front panel of the wheel) cannot be seen with the 2" push-fit adapter used in the previous configuration above. The left image shows the chip central in the field of view. The dark ring immediately around the sensor is infact the body of a blank 48mm filter that is screwed into the disk in the filter wheel. In the right hand picture, the photograph is taken from lower down, with the corners just touching clear of the outline of the filter ring. This shows that the front adapter is not now the limiting factor, but the filter itself is operating with its full aperture in the light cone.
The left image was taken with the camera even lower - note the dark hole inside the camera itself is now half obscured by the nylon gear whereas it was well above it in the face-on view. The side-on view to the right shows the coupling between the camera and filter wheel. The camera has a M72 x 1.0mm thread on the faceplate, which is the thread used by Takahashi on the back of their 2.7" focusers. The coupling adapter is a True Tech M72-SCT adapter, which has a lock-ring on the SCT section, to lock the camera at the correct angle. This coupling adapter has a 46mm clear aperture, but that does not play any part in the vignetting equation as it is not far infront of the CCD sensor. The 'silver' adapter on the right is the prototype non-anodised aluminium M54 male-male adapter. Production adapters will be anodised, with a fine internal thread to prevent oblique light being reflected off the internal walls onto the sensor.
SBIG cameras
Above left shows a ST10 close-coupled to the SupaSlim Wheel, using 2PFM-SCTM adapter infront of the wheel. In this configuration the distance from the 2" focuser to the front faceplate of the ST10, including the adapters, is 25.5mm (1"). Note that the SupaSlim filter wheel has SCT female threads on the faceplates. The picture at right shows the 2PFM-SCTM adapter, which has a thread on the front to take a 48mm/2" filter also.
Vignetting considerations - right-hand image. A light ray from the corner of the chip which passes just inside the edge of the optical window of the camera itself, passes clear of the edge of the 2" adapter on the front of the wheel. Thus vignetting will most likely be determined by the 2" tube of the telescope's focuser and not limited by the optical filter or by the filter wheel and associated adapters. For large chip CCD cameras which have a SCT thread on the faceplate, we would use large diameter adapters to give a clear aperture all the way through of a minimum of 45mm. Most 48mm filters have a clear aperture of 43mm-45mm.
Adapters used to connect Starlight Xpress, SBIG and other CCD cameras
SCT-T-LR/SCT-M42-LR SCT-T-LR ON SUPASLIM M42 T-RING
Unless otherwise stated, all adapters have a male SCT thread on one side, which will screw into either side of the SS filter wheel.
Left. T-thread (M42 x 0.75) [or Pentax S (M42 x 1.0)] adapter with lock ring, used for Starlight Xpress and other CCD cameras which require angular adjustment. The clear aperture is 38mm and the lock-rings are 3.5mm thick
Centre. The SCT-T-LR is very low profile, with 8mm of male thread. The lock-ring would normally be screwed virtually fully home, giving a minimum spacing between the filter wheel and CCD camera of just under 6mm. If the lock-ring is removed cameras such as the S-BIG range, which have built-in angular adjustment, can be closer coupled.
Right. Standard M42 T-ring, can be screwed onto the back of the T-thread adapter to give a Pentax S thread
Underside view of SupaSlim wheel attached to ST-10. At top left are the RJ6/6 socket for serial communication via RJ6/4 cable and RJ-9D adapter. To the right of that is the 2.1mm power jack socket. We have found that all our wheels operate better, especially with fully loaded disks, from 15 volt dc power. Beneath these two connectors note the spring-plunger on the side of the SS housing. When a required filter location is detected by the IR-beam passing through the relevant pin-hole, we turn off the motor and the IR-beam. The ball spring-plunger will then take over and precisely register the filter in exactly the same position every time. The right-had image is a face-on view of the sensor of the ST-10
Optional M54 plate and M54 male-male adapter (right). Refer to the above section on full frame CCD chips. We now can supply SupaSlim wheelswith this plate as standard on just the front or on both front and back. If you want the M54 plate, simply add L or LL as suffix when ordering, (eg SS-5-L will have M54 plate on the front and standard SCT threaded plate on the rear ), which will include a 5-way disk for 48mm/2" filters, or you can order the plate separately to upgrade your existing filter wheel. See also the SupaSlim 50 spec for full frame CCD cameras (click here). Also available per the image above, is a low profile M54 x 0.75 male-male adapter. This is compatible with the Wide T-thread that is used by Takahashi and others, and will screw directly into the Camera adapters on the Epsilon-180 and FSQ-106 astrographs, and the camera adapters, when used with focal reducers or field flatteners, on all Takahashi refractors (FS-60C, Sky 90, FS-102, TSA-102, FS-128, TOA-130, FS-152 and TOA-150).
Note that you can modify any SupaSlim wheel at any time to put the M54 plate on the front, back or both. If you have a M54 plate added but want for some applications to use your old SCT-threaded adapters, then there is a M54-SCT drop-down adapter plate.
SCTM-M-LR SCTM-M SCTM-2PFF
There are several solutions for large chip CCDs. If the CCD camera has a female SCT thread on the faceplate, then the left-hand adapter would enable the camera to be locked at any desired angle using the lock-ring. If the CCD camera has built-in angular adjustment then you could use the centre adapter for ultra close coupling. This adapter would also be the one to use for a SCT f/3.3 focal reducer. The right-hand adapter is a short length 2" push-fit female barrel, which would enable rapid removal and insertion of a camera or accessory with a 2" nosepiece. Note that all the above adapters have a clear internal aperture of 45 or 46mm, which is as large or larger than the clear aperture of any 48mm filter.
Adapters for digital and photographic SLRs:
SCTM-M54TAK SKY90/SUPASLIM/EOS Wide T-Ring for EOS
The left picture shows an exceptionally useful adapter. It enables any 'Wide' T-ring to be screwed in, providing very close mounting of a digital SLR or film SLR to the SS. Although digital SLRs have colour chips, it may become interesting to be able to use filters in conjunction with them, especially models such as the EOS 20DA.
Note that Wide T adapters are available for all major makes of SLR, eg Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta, etc.
Adapters for other imaging devices:
M42 drop-down+317F 1.25" to c-mount 1.25"-c on Stellacam II
By using a 1.25" push-fit system (see below) it is possible to open up connection to all sorts of items, one of the most useful being a deep sky video camera such as the Stellacam 2. The centre image shows a 1.25" push-fit adapter with a c-mount thread which screws directly into any video camera (right image). The 1.25" adapter has a standard filter thread infront and it is recommended that either a plain glass filter or IR blocking filter is permanently screwed into this adapter in order to avoid dust getting on the camera window (which is very close to the CCD sensor), and thereby causing annoying donuts on the video images.
317M inc filter thread M42/T/M48 'drop-down' 317F
Left and right are standard male and female 1.25" push-fit barrels which are used with the True Tech range of flip-mirrors. These adapters have a male M42 x 1.0 thread on the end. The centre image shows one of three different variants of a 'drop-down' adapter screwed into the SupaSlim. We have M42 x 1.0, for use with the 1.25" barrels, M42 T-Rings, and other devices with male M42 threads; T-thread, for any of the multitude of devices using male T-thread; and M48 x 0.75 for an increasing number of items on the market which are adopting this thread. Note that the 'drop-downs' can be used on either or both sides of the SS in any combination, and that the flanges are only 2mm thick, so are ultra low-profile.
Visual adaptation:
SCTM-2PFF-L (2") 1.25" Straight 1.25"+ diagonal T-Thread Bino-Viewer
By using the low cost Manual (see hand-knob in above images) version of the SS you can avoid a lot of aggravation for your visual observations. We make a special long 2" barrel to take Naglers and other 2" eyepieces. Note that the field lens of the 20mm Nagler is 35mm diameter, which is 10mm less than the clear aperture of 48mm filters. For most 1.25" eyepieces you should be able to use 1.25" filters. An important point for binocular users (right image) is that you only need ONE filter and do not need to double up on filters ! You could have up to 5 x 48mm visual filters on the 2" system and up to 8 x 1.25" filters on the 1.25" system. Of course the binocular viewer could be plugged into the 2" system also
Telescope side adapters:
2PFM-SCTM/2PFM-TM LR-SCT 2PFF-SCTF SCT-T/M42/M48 SCTF-TM
The most preferred connection is via a low profile 2" push-fit adapter (left). This adapter is stepped to correspond to the position of the thumbscrews on the majority of 2" focusers, and is also threaded at the front to take a 48mm permanently installed filter, if required. We also have an adapter (2PFM-TM) with the same 2" front, but with a male T-thread on the rear. For SCTs, it may be that you can screw the SS DIRECTLY onto the SCT thread, but you would have to use the LR-SCT lock-ring (second pic). This is 3.5mm thick, and can also be used on the back of a f/6.3 focal reducer. Caution - the walls of the SS are only 3mm thick, so do not screw a male SCT thread directly into the SS without a lock-ring as it could cause damage internally. If you require more flexibility you may wish to convert a SCT thread to 2" push-fit, and this is done by the centre adapter which has a female SCT thread on the front, and a female 2" push-fit barrel on the back. There are two thumbscrews at 90° and this adapter is designed to take the 2" male adapter at left. Finally, another option on connecting to SCTs, is to use a T-thread 'drop-down' adapter and then a SCTF-TM (right). This is a low profile solution, but there is no angular adjustment at this point in the system. If you use the drop-down on its own, this solution opens up the use of other T-thread devices infront of the wheel, such as barlow lenses, etc. Remember that we have similar drop-downs for M48 x 0.75 and M42 x 1.0, and that all drop-downs are 5mm thick including the 2mm flange. Likewise, we have T-thread (LR-T)and M42 (LR-M42) lock-rings which are 3.5mm thick.
Miscellaneous adapters:
TAK72-SCTM + LR-SCT ADAPTER ON FS-152 FS152+SUPASLIM+SXV-H9
The TAK72-SCTM is a very useful adapter, which enables any item with a female SCT thread to be close-coupled to any Takahashi
focuser with a M72 (2.7") diameter. The adapter has a M48 thread infront to take a 48mm/2" filter, and there is an optional lock-ring LR-SCT, which enables attached equipment to be locked at any desired angle.
SCTM-M48F ADAPTER ON EPSILON-160 SUPASLIM ON EPSILON-160
The SCTM-M48F along with the similar T-thread and M42 'drop-down' adapters are very useful low profile adapters, designed to convert a SupaSlim Wheel from SCT thread to any of these other ones. Several telescopes now use M48 threads, including the Takahashi astrographs such as the Epsilon-160. Thus the SupaSlim wheel can be very close-coupled in this manner
1.25" Webcam Adapter M42A/B/C T-EXTENSION
A webcam such as Toucam Pro II can be attached to the SupaSlim wheel by a 1.25" push-fit adapter - like the similar adapter for the video cameras, this adapter has a filter thread infront for a clear glass, IR-Blocker or other filter.
If you need to convert from female to male thread then we have a low profile adapter in three variants, to cover all options on T-thread and M42 x 1.0 (third image), and at right is an exceptionally useful set of T-thread extension tubes of 5,10,20 and 40mm, which can give you spacings of between 5mm and 75mm, in 5mm increments.
Additional adapters and previous versions of the 'Custom-Wheel'
This page shows a lot of useful information, including the 'Narrow' version of the wheel (still available at lower price until stocks of housings are used up). However, you should note that some items are no longer available, having been replaced with the current Supaslim model. Click here
Optional Field Hand Unit (FHU)
For portable use there is an optional Field Hand Unit (FHU) which simulates the operation of the PC and is useful on those occasions where it is hazardous or impracticable to use a laptop PC. The FHU has a single RJ6/4 cable to connect to the SS on the same RJ6/6 socket used for serial control (see pic above left). This cable also carries 5v dc from the electronics box on the SS so does not require any other connection. On plugging in the FHU the display will read zero, showing that it is not initialised. Pressing the 'home/reset' button will cause the wheel to do an autolearn sweep and the display will show 'H'. Towards the end of the cycle, when the micro has learnt the wheeltype, the display will briefly show this (ie a 6 -way wheel in this example) before returning the wheel to the Home (Filter No 1) position, and thereafter displaying 1 on the LED display. There is an 'up/down' spring-loaded toggle switch at centre, and using this one can select filters up or down one at a time. On completion of a move the micro on the SS will signal to the FHU the filter number moved to. The time taken to move from one filter to the next adjacent filter is around 1 second for a 5-way wheel and 2/3 second for an 8-way wheel. There is a 'bright/dim' spring-loaded toggle switch to vary the display brightness as required
software and protocol:
Computer Control
The left image shows the serial connections for the RJ6/6 socket plus the power inlet socket. Only three connections are used for serial control, but there is a +5v output for the Field Hand Unit. At right is the 3m RJ6/4 cable (other lengths available) and 9-D adapter to plug into the PC serial port (or alternatively into a RS232-USB converter). Note that the +5v line is NOT connected through to the PC ! The centre images shows the screen format for the software included with each motorised wheel. All True Technology filter wheels conform to the same serial protocol, and this is included in major software packages such as MaxIm CCD, AstroArt, and CCDSoft. Supplied with each filter wheel is a simple program for stand-alone operation. The screen format is above, and is fairly self-explanatory. No sequenced programming is available but you can go directly to any selected filter directly by clicking on the relevant button, and you can type in your colour names according to their position number. Note that the wheels run the shortest distance always, so if you go from filter No 2 to filter No 6 in it will go down past filter 1 (Home) and on to Filter No 6. The intelligence is onboard the filter wheel, and has nothing to do with the PC control program which purely selects the next filter number. The following zipped download file contains and EXE file that will permit operation over COM1 to COM8 (user selectable). For USB operation (COM3 to COM8) you will require a USB to RS232C converter. Refer to the 'readme.txt' file before installing the software. The zip file also contains the user manual in DOC format. We now supply a user CD with all motorised wheels, which contains control software and application information
Stand-alone software download - COM1 to COM8 capability, allowing operation via RS232C or USB
Packaging
Cases are now supplied as standard with all motorised SupaSlim wheels. The case has foam inserts and there is enough space for the power supply, cables, adapters and CD. There is also an optional case available for individual disks. This case has soft nylon covered foam inserts so is ideal for storing disks with filters installed.
Specifications
Dimensions:
Weight: SupaSlim with disk installed 0.6Kg (1.3lb)
Initialisation time:
2s (min), 5.5s (max)
Adjacent filter
switching time:
5-way (1.1s), 7-way (0.8s), 8-way (0.7s)
Power requirement
:
12v
dc @ 500ma, unregulated
Internal filter disks
available:
Wheels are supplied with a 3m RJ cable and RJ-9D PC adapter, plus user software/user guide, + 12v psu
Manual wheels: : all wheeltypes - see ordering information below
Ordering information:
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SS-'X' SupaSlim motorised filter wheel including internal disk, carrying case, £ 495.00
12v psu, 3m RJ cable + PC serial adapter, user guide, user s/w on CD
'X': Enter disk code from list below, eg SS-4d
5 5 x 48mm position
6d 6 x 1.25" + dark position
7 7 x 1.25" position
8 8 x 1.25" position
SS-'X'-L Supaslim motorised wheel as above, but with M54 front plate for large £ 495.00
chip cameras
SS-'X'-LL Supaslim motorised wheel as above, but with M54 front and rear plates £ 495.00
Additional Items
FW-'X' eg FW-6d = additional 6d motor disk for SupaSlim wheel £ 65.00
FHU Optional Field Hand Unit for local control of motorised wheels £ 75.00
SS-CASE Main case with integral handle and foam inserts, 261w x 175d x 77h £ 18.50
DSK-CASE Disk case with integral handle and foam inserts, 220w x 160d x 40h £ 12.50*
* Disk case £ 10 only if ordered at same time as disk
Full price list (pdf) including adapters plus other True Tech products
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SS-'X'-M Manual version of SupaSlim inc handknob (no upgrade to motorised) £ 175.00
NOTE: The manual version is restricted to 1.25" disks only, or to visual use only
with 2"/48mm filters. It is not possible to use large format CCD cameras with the
manual version as the hand-knob would hit the body of the camera. If you have a
full-frame camera then you require a motorised wheel
FW-'X'-M Manual additional disk inc handknob, eg FW-6d-M £ 70.00
Note: M54 plates not available with manual version
Carrying case not included as standard with manual version
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Above prices are UK list in pounds Sterling and include VAT at 17.5%
For exports outside the EC multiply above prices by 0.85106 (=100/117.5)
UK mainland delivery included on filter wheel orders, for internal disks ordered separately add £ 2.50
We accept major credit cards Visa/MC
Warranty: one year from date of delivery
Prices subject to change
For further information or to order, e-mail : orders@trutek-uk.com
*** USA ORDERS/ENQUIRIES *** click here
If paying by credit card you can spread the numbers over two or three e-mails. Note that we also require the last three digits of the security code on the back of the card, and the full name and address where the card is registered (if different from the delivery address)
You can also phone [44]-(0)1189-700-777 or fax [44]-(0)1189-701-031 if preferred
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