Permanent Pier Design

Looking down on a 1" thick steel baseplate attached to a 9 ton concrete foundation. The pier foundation is isolated from the
rest of the dome so that no external vibrations are transmitted to the mount or telescope.

The yellow ellipse represents the approximate location of the steel pier on the baseplate. The three yellow tick marks show where
turnbuckles will be placed to stiffen the base of the steel pier and provide for very fine leveling control of the pier.

Grout was not needed or used between the steel baseplate and concrete foundation as the construction provided a flexure-free design.

 

The floor support beam shown in the above image is one of four used to span the width of the floor opening to provide
proper support for the diamond plate.

Installing the 14 inch diameter x 55" high 316 SS pier (pictured is master mechanic Ken Evans).

The pier and top/bottom flanges weigh close to 200 pounds. A chain fall was used to move the heavy parts.

Note eyebolts near pier base for turnbuckles. Pier flange was attached to baseplate by drilling and tapping holes for 3/8" diam. bolts.

 

Final installation showing pier with AP 160 telescope and AP 1200 mount.

Diamond plate consists of two (2) 1/8" thick x 31.25" x 64.00" pieces water jet cut with a 15.50" diameter hole in the center.

All cables run through the annular gap in the diamond plate to a control room located one floor below.

 

Final installation showing top of pier and adapters for attaching the Astro-Physics 1200 GTO mount.

Note cable looming on DEC/RA cable to prevent snagging.

Convenience panel attached to pier for mounting various items (weather station transmitter, Marinco 12VDC outlet for flat field light box power,
SBIG CCD camera power supply, Robo-Focus controller). AP keypad hangs on a separate hook attached to pier flange.