Setting up a Syncing Focuser

Warning

This is very incomplete. I just grabbed some text from an existing document. It needs images, steps and examples.

Note

If you have a Homing Focuser, for example a TCF, Leo or FastFocus you do not need to do this

It can also be useful to change or limit the other end of travel or the Maximum Position. Because QuickSync and DirectSync focusers motorize an existing focuser the controller does not know what the full extent of travel is. By default the controller will set this to 65535 steps, but this can be customized to be exact for a given focuser.

To customize this first make sure that the focuser is synced so that the zero-point is fully retracted. Then use the engaged motor and computer to move the focuser out, making sure not to hit any hard stops. If the range is less than the current maximum position record the position that you reach. Then use the driver to set this position as the maximum position. If you reach the default maximum position without reaching the end of travel you will need to increase the range of travel in the driver. Once you approach the end of travel you can set the maximum position so the focuser does not reach the hard stop.

With both the zero-point and the maximum position set the focuser is constrained in both dimensions, the zero-point position of the motor is set to the furthest in the focuser can travel and the maximum position is set to the full extent of travel. By resyncing to the zero-point after manually moving the focuser the software can easily keep track of the position.

The Step Size Wizard allows for a more exact value to be found for your specific focuser. It works by having you move the focuser a known number of steps and then you tell the driver how far the focuser’s position has moved in millimeters. From this the focuser can calculate how many microns of travel each step is and report it to the clients.