The performances of the GTC secondary mirror drive unit

Joan Manel Casalta; Joan Arino; Manuel Canchado; Enric M. Geijo; Albert Molins; Albert Tomas; Lorenzo Zago

doi:10.1117/12.551868

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29 September 2004 The performances of the GTC secondary mirror drive unit

Joan Manel Casalta, Joan Arino, Manuel Canchado, Enric M. Geijo, Albert Molins, Albert Tomas, Lorenzo Zago

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Proceedings Volume 5495, Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.551868
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper summarizes the main aspects of the design and qualification test results of the secondary mirror mechanism for the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). The design of the M2DS consists of a two stage mechanism, a hexapod for alignment using six linear actuators and a compensated tilt/chop stage with three voice coils taking its base on the hexapod mobile plate. The system has been tested after servos adjustment and calibration and the latest results are presented, which illustrate the quality and accuracy of this mechanism in both alignment and chop performances. Finally, the results and experiences are summarized in order to provide useful information for new developments of such systems.

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Joan Manel Casalta, Joan Arino, Manuel Canchado, Enric M. Geijo, Albert Molins, Albert Tomas, and Lorenzo Zago "The performances of the GTC secondary mirror drive unit", Proc. SPIE 5495, Astronomical Structures and Mechanisms Technology, (29 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.551868

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