Fabrication

Top plate

The top plate shown below is designed to hold an iOptron CEM40 mount. If you plan on using any other mount, you will need a top plate of suitable dimensions and design it to hold your mount.

Machinist Drawing

Simple Drawing

Final Product

Bottom Plate

Machinist Drawing

Second Tab

Final Product

Support plate

This is an optional but recommended step, especially if your PANOPTES unit will be deployed at a site with moderate to high winds. The aluminum extrusions listed for the pier are lightweight with minimal size requirements. However, the pier is too lightweight for high wind sites, causing the pier to yaw and twist under high wind conditions. We recommend adding an aluminum support plate (as shown below) or buying extrusions of a larger width that is best suited to your site.