SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL n Arguably, the most desirable location for an instrument will be the straight-through port. This is positioned directly below the primary mirror and receives the incoming beam of light directly, with no interaction with the science fold mirror. Usually, this port will host an instrument that needs a wide eld-of-view. This will often be an imaging camera that carries out photometry, used to explore brightness that can help indicate the nature of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. The straight-through port will either host a camera such as this, or a polarimeter, because a straight-through port can achieve more accurate polarimetric measurements. Precision control The ability to switch the light beam towards, or away from, the straight-through port within seconds is vital to capturing eeting celestial activity. To prevent the light beam from being obscured, the focal station’s mirror must move out of the light path rapidly. This will be achieved by mounting the mirror on a platform that can move laterally at high speed, driven by a linear motion system with a ballscrew actuator. “The mirror and its support structure weigh around 70kg, and we need to move this mass quickly and accurately, within ve seconds,” explains Adam Garner, the NRT’s control and automation engineer at LJMU. “A separate motor and gearbox solution would achieve the required accuracy, but not at the speed we needed, so we speci ed a directdrive system that connects directly to the ballscrew, eliminating the mechanical losses that additional transmission would introduce.” Garner contacted maxon’s Young Engineers Program (YEP), which provides engineering expertise and attractive rates for academic projects. maxon engineer, Ronak Samani, suggested a maxon IDX direct drive which ensures micron-level precision, moving the linear stage and its mirror rapidly into place with pinpoint accuracy. The motion system combines a brushless DC motor with an integrated encoder, and a positioning controller that enables smooth modulation of position and speed. The motion system is controlled by command signals carried via EtherCat, with real-time data exchange optimising precision. Because the NRT operates autonomously, without any maintenance engineers needed on site, reliability is also crucial. This requirement extends to the motion system. “The telescope’s dome will close in bad weather, but the island’s proximity to the Sahara means that after six months of operation, the equipment is covered with a lm of dust that can damage the sensitive equipment if it’s allowed to penetrate,” says David Copley, a systems engineer at LJMU. The direct-drive motor’s IP65 rating will seal it from dust and ensure long-term, reliable operation. The team is currently testing the mechanical control of the focal station’s linear motor and “ rst light” – the system’s operational debut – is planned for 2026. With its speed of reaction, combined with its sensitivity, the NRT is set to provide new discoveries on the evolution of the cosmos and our understanding of physics. It is also intended to inspire future generations of astronomers. n The NRT will be housed under the world’s largest clamshell-style roof, helping to deploy it rapidly and providing a 360-degree eld-of-view. Image: Luka Gradišar / IAC The fold mirror will direct light towards instruments around the acquisition and guidance box at the bottom of the telescope. The mirror will move out of the light path when an instrument at the straight-through port is in use. <<< s or introduct special pricing > > NEW >> ry W sales s@brainboxes com Switch rang poe & Gigabit Et ge hernet s@brainboxes.com
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