Anssen Technologies.
Designers and Manufacturers of Astronomical Instrumentation.

Please note that the Ellesa webpage is still under construction
and will be updated continuously as new information becomes available.

Anssen Technologies German Equatorial Mounting System - "Ellesa".


The Ellesa telescope mounting system has been developed from the need for a high performance astronomical telescope mount to suit a wide variety of customer needs. With the ongoing rapid development of high resolution CCD cameras over the past ten years, astronomers are demanding ever increasing performance levels for high resolution imaging. The requirements and demands on the imaging platform has increased significantly as a result. For the astronomer requiring a German equatorial mounting system where any number of optical systems may be fitted, the Ellesa is the perfect choice. The Ellesa is optimised to the Anssen range of optical tube assemblies. It is perfectly suited to the various Ritchey-Chretien optical tube assemblies to 18" diameter, Newtonian, refractor, astrograph, Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain. Anssen is passionate about creating some of the best astronomical equipment available anywhere in the world for the high end amateur astronomer.


Based on the needs of leading CCD imagers the Ellesa has been designed and manufactured for a wide range of uses. We are indebted to several highly experienced imagers from all over the world for their continual and ongoing feedback during the development period of this project.

  

Premier Features of the Ellesa are:
The Ellesa is available in two basic variants and includes many options available which can be added as needed. There is no need to purchase an item, or items that you may never need or use.

Ellesa TXL.
The TXL variant offers a relatively light weight mount for the size and capacity and is aimed squarely at several of the best quality mounts available anywhere. With light weight high precision research grade (Grade 2) R.A. and Declination worm wheels manufactured from 7075 grade aluminium , precision stainless steel ground worms, 70mm diameter R.A. and Declination shafts the mount enables precision tracking to +/-5 arc seconds without external intervention for telescopes up to 70kg. It is possible to achieve tracking accuracies to +/-2 arc seconds with programmable a drive controller.To keep weight and prices to a minimum the TXL has no R.A. or Declination axis clutch systems or external shaft position encoders. Find out more details in the schedule below.

Ellesa Observatory Version.
For the most critical and demanding instrumentaton requirements it is difficult to exceed the quality and features of the Ellesa Observatory variant. The R.A. and Declination worm wheels are aluminium hubs fitted with a phosphor bronze gear insert which has been precision hobbed and features lapped finishes to attain research grade (Grade 1) quality. Precision machined, hardened and finely ground stainless steel worms are a final procedure to attain research grade quality of the total product. On completion each worm and wheel is numbered, tested and catalogued. Precision tracking better than +/-5 arc seconds without external intervention, with a programmable drive controller better than +/- 2 arc seconds.
Features also of importance are the 88mm diameter R.A. and Declination shafts, adjustable clutch systems on both axis, optical position encoders on both axis and a telescope payload of 85kg. Find out more details in the schedule below.

Common Features for the Ellesa TXL and Observatory Version:

  • Research grade (Grade 2 for the TXL; Grade 1 for the Observatory version) 306mm diameter (12") RA gear system.
  • Research grade (Grade 2 for the TXL; Grade 1 for the Observatory version) 220mm diameter (8.7") Declination gear system.
  • Oversize stainless steel worms. (32mm diameter).
  • Telescope pointing precision to 1 arc minute dpending on selection of drive controller for an accurately polar aligned mount.
  • Main body and components manufactured from 6061 and 5083 grade aluminium alloy. No castings.
  • Stainless steel fasteners used almost exclusively with exception to the high stress junction points where high tensile fasteners are used.
  • German manufactured twin stage high precision planetary gear reducers on R.A. and Declination.
  • High precision manufactured stepper motors (if fitted).
  • German or Swiss manufactured DC servo motors (if fitted).
  • A significant amount of effort has gone into the light weighting of all components without compromising strength or rigidity.
  • Internal routing of electronic cabling, and telescope shaft encoders (if fitted).
  • External surfaces painted in high quality full gloss low bake 2 pack paint. Colours available will be White (no tinters), Polar White (off white/very light beige/cream colour) and Midnight Black.
  • Each version of the Ellesa is badged accordingly.
  • Is compatible with high resolution Digital Setting Circles Computers such as the Argo Navis manufactured by Wildcard Innovations.

    Strength, Rigidity and Precision of Manufacture.
    Maximising strength and minimising total weight has been an important aspect of the design process. The mount is at the limits of existing technology and materials use, whilst maintaining a reasonable asking price for product quality.

    Thermal Mechanical Stability.
    The basic design concept enables the Ellesa to be operated successfully over extreme temperature ranges and temperature gradients without affecting the performance or precision of operation. Estimated operating temperature ranges from minimum of -10 degrees Celcius to maximum of +50 degrees Celcius.

    Forward Compatibility.
    The overall basic design enables the mount and all options to be upgraded at any time as needed by the customer. It is therefore possible to purchase the mount with only basic accessories as needed at the time of purchase, bearing in mind that as needs and requirements increase further accessories can be purchased to increase the performance levels of the product. We expect that many new options will be made available in the near future so as to increase the versatility of the total product. Also, as technology develops in the industry in general newer and higher level options will become available.

    Number of Options Available.
    A significant number of options are available for both variants of the Ellesa. The choice can be made by the customer to suit particular requirements. If neccesary during the ordering process we will provide assistance with what is needed.

    Number of Drive Controllers Available.
    Both versions of the Ellesa are compatible with a number of drive controllers and total observatory systems offered by various manufacturers and depend on customer needs and requirements. The customer is not forced to purchase a proprietary drive controller, or any controller at all. During the ordering process Anssen determines the most suitable motor and gear reducer combination as needed by the customer.

    Simple Operation.
    Basic processes and operations are well laid out with simple manual access assuming that the majority of the use of the equipment is in total darkness and most probably with the operator wearing protective clothing. During both imaging operations and computer controlled operations it is entirely possible that the operator will rarely need to manually touch the mount which increases time management efficiencies and end image quality. We are aware that during imaging runs and surveillance operations every second can count.

    Ease of Fitment and Interchange of Optical Tube Assemblies.
    The general layout of the German equatorial mounting system permits a flexible arrangement of telescope payloads which are neccessary to many amateurs. Simple and straightforward design techniques of the Ellesa help accentuate the ease of fitting any number of optical tube assemblies up to the permssible maximum load capacity. It should be noted that although we advertise a maximum load rating in kilograms for each version of the mount these are only offered as a guide. There are many telescopes which are overly long relative to their weight and aperture and may overload the mount. Please contact us should you have concerns about this point.

       

      Specifications.

    FEATURES. ANSSEN
    ELLESA.
    TXL
    ANSSEN
    ELLESA.
    OBSERVATORY
    VERSION
    R.A. Worm Wheel Diameter. 306.0mm (12.0")
    7075 grade aluminium
    **236 Tooth
    306.0mm (12.0")
    phosphor bronze
    **236 Tooth
    Decl. Worm Wheel Diameter. 220.0mm (8.7")
    7075 grade aluminium
    **166 Tooth
    220.0mm (8.7")
    phosphor bronze
    **166 Tooth
    Worm Shaft Diameter. 32.0mm stainless steel 32.0mm stainless steel,
    hardened and ground
    R.A. Shaft
    Bearing Diameter.
    110.0mm tapered roller
    at both ends of shaft
    110.0mm tapered roller
    at both ends of shaft
    Declination Shaft
    Bearing Diameter.
    110.0mm tapered roller
    at both ends of shaft
    110.0mm tapered roller
    at both ends of shaft
    R.A. Worm Wheel
    Bearing Diameter.
    Not applicable as there is
    no clutch system.
    Worm wheel is solid mounted.
    183.0mm
    Declination Worm Wheel
    Bearing Diameter.
    Not applicable as there is
    no clutch system.
    Worm wheel is solid mounted.
    183.0mm
    R.A. Shaft Diameter. 70.0mm
    Steel, zinc plated
    88.0mm
    High Tensile Steel, zinc plated
    Declination Shaft Diameter. 70.0mm
    Steel, zinc plated
    88.0mm
    High Tensile Steel, zinc plated
    Latitude Adjustment Range. 15-58 degrees, additional available 15-58 degrees, additional available
    Azimuth Adjustment Range. +/-7 degrees +/-7 degrees
    R.A. and Decl. Clutches. Not Available Yes, Adjustable
    Claimed Maximum Periodic Error without intervention. +/- 7 arc second Less than +/- 5 arc second
    R.A. and Decl. Shaft Encoders.
    20000 steps per telescope shaft rev.
    Not Available Yes
    Weight Equatorial Head.
    without counterweight shaft,
    weights or saddle plate.(kg.)
    36 kg. 45 kg.
    Maximum OTA Load Capacity. 70 kg. 85 kg.
    Counterweight Shaft. Straight shaft, not threaded.
    length: 455mm
    diameter: 44.4mm
    weight: 5 kg
    Threaded to suit
    threaded counterweights.
    length: 630mm
    diameter: 44.4mm
    weight: 7.5 kg
    Counterweights. see
    "Ellesa Optional Equipment".
    see
    "Ellesa Optional Equipment".

      **Please note that traditionally Anssen has fewer teeth on the worm wheels than many of our competitors. High tracking accuracies are obtained (amongst many other reasons) with gears that are precision machined and precision ground and that are of large surface areas. A larger number of teeth is not required to achieve high resolution tracking performance. The accuracy, strength and shear loading is achieved with both relatively large surface areas and cross sectional areas of each gear tooth. A larger number of teeth result in smaller tooth size with smaller surface and cross sectional areas, hence weaker teeth.

      Please note that at the moment this website is still a work in progress!

    Ellesa Images

    Ellesa Optional Equipment.

    Drive Controllers
    Piers
    Counterweights
    Telescope
    Saddle Plates

    Additional Details.

    Anticipated
    Shipping Schedules
    Price List



    Last Revised: May 12, 2006.
    Copyright © 2006. Anssen Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.