Planetarium Star Projectors

[Jem]

Hi

I realise that it's probably of little use being here in the UK. However, if you're struggling to get the mirrors recoated in the States these guys in the UK are superb. Here's a couple of links...

http://www.vacuumcoatings.co.uk/vacu...ricelists.html

http://www.scientificmirrors.co.uk/Services.html

Both are the same company.

Cheers

Jem

[SpitzSTP]

Hi

I realise that it's probably of little use being here in the UK. However, if you're struggling to get the mirrors recoated in the States these guys in the UK are superb. Here's a couple of links...

http://www.vacuumcoatings.co.uk/vacu...ricelists.html

http://www.scientificmirrors.co.uk/Services.html

Both are the same company.

Cheers

Jem

Thank you Jem, I truly appreciate it. It wouldn't be too much of a challenge to ship them over the pond. Now I have a place to start, and I can get two quotes. Scaffold came today by truck and I assembled it this evening. Just the right height.

[Jem]

Just one thing I forgot to mention. If you contact Vacuum Coatings they will probably ask whether or not you require a protective coating putting on the mirrors. I use my mirrors for holography, so I tend to opt for uncoated ones. However, this does leave the surface more vulnerable. Most of the astronomical guys tend to opt for the protective coating if this helps make a decision.

Regards

Jem

[SpitzSTP]

Just one thing I forgot to mention. If you contact Vacuum Coatings they will probably ask whether or not you require a protective coating putting on the mirrors. I use my mirrors for holography, so I tend to opt for uncoated ones. However, this does leave the surface more vulnerable. Most of the astronomical guys tend to opt for the protective coating if this helps make a decision.

Regards

Jem

Jem, excellent advice and many thanks again. These mirrors will reflect a cone of light from the xenon lamps initially, but later, from a laser light source. Would that influence my selection of a coating, or lack thereof? With this question I reveal how much I depend on advice from others that know alot more than I do.

This evening I am trying to decide which of two racks to put the AVI tower in. This vintage cabinet is built like a tank and came from a local helicopter ambulance company that used it for 9-1-1 airlift calls. I am always interested in the history of these things, not really sure why. It will serve cosmic duty now. The gantry comes in handy for lifting this thing up high enough to bolt the casters on. If the AVI tower doesn't fit in this one, I have another rack that is slightly larger that came surplus from the state of AZ. No wonder local government is so broke, they keep unloading perfectly good equipment for cents on the dollar but on the other hand I can recoup some of that tax money they siphon from my paycheck.

[SpitzSTP]

Hmm.. will it, or won't it. I measured carefully and there is about 1/4" clearance in width taking into account the drive motor and gearbox for the telescoping lift. The top of this rack comes off so the sphere can poke out of the top. Tomorrow will tell. I am looking forward to next time Karl comes over, he mentioned something about setting up a 60X AND possibly a red HeNe laser through the PCAOM and fiber launch to get things rolling until I can get the Chroma 5 online. One of the 60X I have was imported from HB - Laserkomponenten and is considerably brighter than the others, especially if I take a BB gun to the streetlight out front.

[Picasso]

*grin* I hope it dosnt fit so I can "warehouse" it. I love the picture posts keep them going!

[Jem]

Jem, excellent advice and many thanks again. These mirrors will reflect a cone of light from the xenon lamps initially, but later, from a laser light source. Would that influence my selection of a coating, or lack thereof? With this question I reveal how much I depend on advice from others that know alot more than I do.

My personal opinion would be to go for the protective coating. The coating only seems to be an issue in some holography setups where internal reflections could be a potential issue. Although, I have to say at this point i'm no expert and perhaps someone with greater knowledge could chime in

Cheers

Jem

[SpitzSTP]

My personal opinion would be to go for the protective coating. The coating only seems to be an issue in some holography setups where internal reflections could be a potential issue. Although, I have to say at this point i'm no expert and perhaps someone with greater knowledge could chime in

Cheers

Jem

Thanks Jem. I truly appreciate the advice. A few pictures of the GOTO/ Viewlex MKIIa star projector disassembled in Colorado over the weekend. It will come to Phoenix to join the others. This one was once installed in the Smithsonian, one of only four of this type imported to the USA from Japan decades ago. These originally sold for about $35,000 40+ years ago. One of the four was parted out years ago and used to maintain this one. A custom gantry had to be erected overhead from which to hang a pair of chain hoists. This machine was mounted up high and did not have an elevator... fortunately, nothing was damaged in the process. All wires were marked and parts individually bagged in Ziploc freezer bags. Great care will be taken to transport it. Thankfully another member of this forum has volunteered to fly to Colorado with me and help truck it to AZ. Road trip!

[mixedgas]

http://www.evaporatedcoatings.com/

http://www.spectrum-coatings.com/contact.htm

http://www.alcoat.net/

http://www.majestic-coatings.com/

I had a client who was very happy with Evaporated Coatings Inc for 24x24 inch plastic mirrors that needed a enhanced front surface coat.

Never tried the other three.

Beware of just plain local aluminizers for plastics etc. They apply a coat of lacquer under the aluminum to help it adhere, and to make a smooth surface on plastics. While they are cheap, they are a last resort as the lacquer wont hold up under UV from the xenon.

The overcoat/enhanced is good for 10% more reflection and no oxidation. Oxidation will set in rapidly if ozone from the lamp is around.


You want enhanced aluminum or overcoated aluminum. The cost to add the protective/enhanced overcoat is negligible. If the surfaces are flat, a enhanced dielectric is in order.

And that other member needs a vacation badly, drag him with you even if he's kicking and screaming!

Steve

[SpitzSTP]

Thanks Steve! this information is greatly appreciated. I will be contacting these firms and those provided by Jem for quotes as soon as I finish the Colorado project. As for the other member that needs a vacation badly, he will certainly enjoy a relaxing time of truck driving, diesel fumes, truck stops, star projector loading, wrench-turning, Spitz 512 installing and the luxurious accomodations at Motel 6 with a Burger King next door. Part of the deal with removing the Viewlex is installing a Spitz 512 in its place. I found them a replacement 512 last year a few miles from where we took out the Spitz Starscape in Kansas City, and dropped off the parts in CO last fall. I am so glad to have the help, as I often go solo on these adventures. This typically means spending a couple of grueling days and nights to remove the equipment, load it and hit the road for AZ driving straight through with no sleep. Before I forget, I found a picture of the dome in NYC where the STP star machine was once installed. They built this dome inside a theater, the old Fillmore east in NYC. Can you imagine this setup? They had a 60,000 watt quadraphonic stereo system pointed at the dome. Ironic perhaps the projector housed within would wind up in here, an innocent looking house in the suburbs.