LACERTA MFOC Stand Alone Motorfocus

Lacerta motorized focus - direct drive focus shaft

No slippage possible as with other systems that rely on microfocus shaft reduction.

The Lacerta MotorFocus is designed for precise position reproducibility down to 1 micron (0.001 mm) accuracy. It can position 5 kg of weight with this precision using a high quality focuser.

Stand-alone and ASCOM-compatible motor focus in one

The MFOC Lacerta MotorFocus provides precise, reproducible motorized focusing of the telescope via a microstep-controlled stepper motor. The motor is connected via a backlash-free coupling, and everything is completely encapsulated. On the one hand it is a standalone system and comes with a handbox with digital display, on the other hand it can be used remotely. It is fully ASCOM compatible and via USB it communicates with almost all ASCOM compatible programs, V-curves and autofocus are possible with it. The system also has full temperature compensation capability in standalone mode as well as offset positions for various filters. With the MGEN Superguider it works optimally together, the automatic focus corrections are synchronized with the exposures - thus do not take place during an exposure but in between. Possible small shifts or rotations due to the movement of the OAZ tube during refocusing are thus avoided.

MFOC motor focus in standalone mode with handbox

the GOTO function helps to reach given positions quickly and accurately

the backlash compensation is a key to accurate positioning.

min. and max. positions are freely programmable to avoid mechanical problems at the endpoints of the OAZ stroke

temperature is displayed in 0.01 °C subdivision (with an accuracy of about 0.1 °C). The correction factor (steps/degrees) can be easily determined and freely programmed with a simple test. The cable of the temperature sensor is long enough (approx. 180 cm) to be mounted close to the most temperature sensitive part of the telescope (lens cell, mirror).

filter offset distances relative to the main filter are programmable, during temperature compensation these offsets are taken into account. One can focus on all filters, and switch to others as desired. Offset and compensation always work together.

the Lacerta motor focus uses 3 speeds and switches them automatically: Microstep, Full Step and Multi Step.

if you use the Lacerta MGEN Superguider, you can loop the cable for the acquisition camera through to the MotorFocus, and the MotorFocus sees the exposure signal. If a focus correction is necessary, it waits until the exposure is finished and corrects afterwards. This avoids focus corrections during the exposure, and possibly associated small lateral movements of the OAZ tube and the camera (shifting).

MFOC motor focus in ASCOM mode

if the Lacerta MotorFocus is controlled via ASCOM, the used software takes over all functions

temperature and backlash compensation, V-curves, autofocus, whatever the software can do is feasible

only motor currents and direction of rotation are further regulated by the handbox and should be set correctly beforehand. Backlash and temperature compensation are deactivated (set to zero) in the handbox.

Main Features

remote (ASCOM) or standalone mode

handbox with digital display and real time indication of all relevant information, control keys and USB port

fully encapsulated motor&gearbox unit with strong stepper motor, holds and moves > 5 kg

250000 steps, repeatability 1 micron (0.001 mm)

temperature sensor (approx. 180 cm long)

automatic temperature comopensation possible

permanent focus function

GOTO function and filter offsets also adjustable in standalone mode via handbox

backlash compensation (backlash compensation for the OAZ) - 2 types

ASCOM driver compatible with almost any software (FocusMax, MaximDL, APT, ...)

free download of new firmware

manual focusing possible (after switching off and disconnecting the motor cable)

Compatible with the following focusers

Lacerta Octo60

all focusers with Lacerta 1:10 upgrade

Skywatcher Crayford with native 1:10 gear reduction

Skywatcher Linear Power

Safety informations: PDF Download