Paramount ME 赤道儀的載重量

[社長]

一直看到不同的論壇在比評赤道儀時，都引述Software Bisque Paramount ME在官網上所示的儀器載重量為150Lb或68Kg(未計及配重)，甚至有愛好者說自己的Paramount可能連16寸RC也承載不來，也有不同的用戶查詢，Paramount ME能否承載他們的什麼望遠鏡。實際上從來在全球各地，不少Paramount ME都用來承載遠超此數的器材日夜運作，包括彗星獵手David Levy在Paramount上的器材已達過400Lb，以3000多毫米焦距盲跟3分鐘拍攝。

我曾於2008年到訪Software Bisque的美國總部，跟Steven Bisque大哥瞭解Paramount ME的製造方法，應用技術細節，跟Astrophysics等同級赤道儀的比較等，也特意問過他這台享負盛名的赤道儀的實際負載量：

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他說官方網頁上的150Lb或68Kg只是一個十分保守的數字，因為面世十多年來，全球各地用戶根本不會放這個數字上心，而Paramount ME的極軸軸承，本身的負載規格是3000Lb的，以下則是區內我們用來承載不超重但長度超過兩米的228及254APO：

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下圖是另一例子，NASA以Paramount ME承載約700Lb器材，其中三腳架是關鍵，那個PWT腳架正是我跟203APO、Paramount ME一同引入，本體重15公斤但可負重600公斤以上：

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Photo : NASA 20" military version RCOS, Paramount ME, 10x48" Monolith ME color scheme (approx. payload weight of 700 pounds)

究其原因，Paramount ME的組件是以200Lb的6061鋁材以80個機械小時CNC加工而成，去蕪存菁的僅把必要的物料留在應該出現的地方，單是一顆手擰縲絲，也去掉不少物料以減輕重量，跟砂糢鑄鋁、壓鑄製造組件，又或者以短時間加工整片鋁材而成的赤道儀，有著完全不級別的負/重比，亦即每公斤的Paramount ME自重，能承載遠超市面上一般赤道儀的負載力，例如一般常規的赤道儀，若自重10公斤的話，能承載20公斤的器材作高精度追蹤定位已很了不起，而Paramount則在不同的應用實例遠超此數。

今天看到Bisque其中一個回覆，也分析了有關問題：
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16" f4.5 Meade Starfinder Newtonian OTA on a Paramount ME
Posted by: "John Drummond" john_drummond@xtra.co.nz john_drummond2001
Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:17 am (PST)
Hi,

I’m just wondering if the ME could handle a 16" f4.5 Meade Starfinder Newtonian OTA. The OTA would weigh about 50-55kg (~110 pounds) and is under the payload limit. It’s just the sheer length of the tube (~6 feet) in regards to torque that I’m concerned about...

Any ideas/insights would be very helpful.

Regards

John Drummond
Possum Observatory Complex
International Astro Union Code: E94
Gisborne, New Zealand
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Re: 16" f4.5 Meade Starfinder Newtonian OTA on a Paramount ME
Posted by: "Thomas M. Bisque" thomas@bisque.com tbisque
Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:29 am (PST)

Yes most definitely.

But the issues would not be torque related but rather tube flexure and
over all how you are mounting the thing. And a good large TPoint model
allowing ProTrack to take care of the flexure would probably be in
order. Since I have seen a 24 inch scope slewing around on the Paramount
ME (about 275 to 300 pounds of scope) I can say this. But telling
someone that a 24 inch like that is fine is something I would never have
said. Yet it was done and was used for awhile without any torque issues.