Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Janse van Vuuren, Frank
Other Authors: Kim, Y.
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch 2011
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867613921083392000
access_status_str Open Access
author Janse van Vuuren, Frank
author2 Kim, Y.
author_browse Janse van Vuuren, Frank
Kim, Y.
author_facet Kim, Y.
Janse van Vuuren, Frank
author_sort Janse van Vuuren, Frank
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv University of Stellenbosch
description Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/6693
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:43:49.382Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2011
publishDateRange 2011
publishDateSort 2011
publisher Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
publisherStr Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/6693 Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope Janse van Vuuren, Frank Kim, Y. Schreve, K. University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Hexapod positioning mechanism Stewart platform SKA (Square Kilometre Array) Dissertations -- Mechatronic engineering Theses -- Mechatronic engineering Radio telescopes Phased Experimental Demonstrator (PED) Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The world's astronomy community is working together to build the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world namely: the SKA (Square Kilometre Array). It will consist of approximately three thousand dishes which will each require accurate positioning. The Square Kilometer Array has a testbed called the Phased Experimental Demonstrator (PED) in Observatory, Cape Town. A hexapod positioning mechanism is required to position a 3.7 m radio telescope which forms part of an array of seven radio telescopes. This thesis details the design process of the hexapod system. The design consists of the mechanical design of the joints and linear actuators, a kinematic and dynamic model, a controller and a user interface. In order to verify the design for the PED hexapod a scaled prototype was designed, built and tested. The hexapod's repeatability as well as ability to track a path was tested using an inclinometer. The tests confirmed the design feasibility of the PED hexapod and also highlight issues that require care when constructing the full scale hexapod, such as the amount of play in the platform joints. The designed full scale hexapod will have an error angle less than 0.13°, a payload capacity of 45 kg, withstand wind speeds of 110 km/h and cost R160 000. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wêreld se sterrekundige gemeenskap is besig om saam te werk om die grootste en mees sensitiewe radioteleskoop in die wêreld te bou, naamlik: die SKA (Square Kilometre Array). Dit sal uit ongeveer drie duisend skottels bestaan wat elkeen akkurate posisionering benodig. Die SKA het 'n toetssentrum, genaamd die “Phased Experimental Demonstrator” in Observatory, Kaapstad. 'n Sespoot posisionering meganisme word benodig om die 3.7 m radioteleskoop te posisioneer, wat deel vorm van 'n stelsel van sewe radioteleskope. Hierdie tesis beskryf die proses om die sespoot stelsel te ontwerp. Die ontwerp bestaan uit die meganiese komponent van die koppelings en lineêre aktueerders, 'n kinematiese en dinamiese model, 'n beheerder, asook 'n gebruikersintervlak. 'n Geskaleerde prototipe is ontwerp, gebou en getoets om die ontwerp te verifieer. Die platform se herhaalbaarheid sowel as akkuraatheid om 'n pad te volg was getoets met 'n oriëntasie sensor. Die toetse het probleme uitgelig wat versigtig hanteer moet word gedurende die konstruksie van die volskaalse sespoot, veral die hoeveelheid speling in die koppelings. Die volskaalse sespoot ontwerp het 'n hoek fout van minder as 0.13°, 'n ladingsvermoë van 45 kg en kan 'n windspoed van 110 km/h weerstaan en kos R160 000. 2011-02-25T11:47:48Z 2011-03-14T08:32:01Z 2011-02-25T11:47:48Z 2011-03-14T08:32:01Z 2011-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6693 en_ZA University of Stellenbosch 119 p. : ill. application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
spellingShingle Hexapod positioning mechanism
Stewart platform
SKA (Square Kilometre Array)
Dissertations -- Mechatronic engineering
Theses -- Mechatronic engineering
Radio telescopes
Phased Experimental Demonstrator (PED)
Janse van Vuuren, Frank
Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
title Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
title_full Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
title_fullStr Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
title_full_unstemmed Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
title_short Design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
title_sort design of a hexapod mount for a radio telescope
topic Hexapod positioning mechanism
Stewart platform
SKA (Square Kilometre Array)
Dissertations -- Mechatronic engineering
Theses -- Mechatronic engineering
Radio telescopes
Phased Experimental Demonstrator (PED)
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6693
work_keys_str_mv AT jansevanvuurenfrank designofahexapodmountforaradiotelescope