MOFOD MkIII Fork Friction Mount
The Gemini MOFOD MkIII Fork Mount is the ideal solution for demanding applications (public, school or transit observations). Our Modular Fork Design allows changing the OTA by sliding the fork arms in or out. MOFOD Fork Mount is the most stable observatory class mount with remote control (Read the article about MoFoD – a Flexible Fork mount for the observatory). Join the Gemini Friction Fork Revolution!
Why a Fork? Why not!
Gemini MOFOD MkIII Fork Mounts have the following advantages over German Equatorial mounts
- No counterweight needed – smaller inertia can be rotated faster.
- No meridian flips needed – no lost time in real time observations.
- No guider recalibration or field rotation needed.
- No collision with the pier is possible – more safety in remote mode.
Disadvantage?
Forks were not as flexible to changing OTA as German Equatorial mounts. Our Modular Fork Design allows changing the OTA by simply sliding the fork arms out or in. Any compact telescope from 340-mm to 680-mm wide can ride this fork.
What is Modular Fork Design (MoFoD)?
Our MOFOD Fork Mounts are easily separated in 4 main parts: the RA base, the horizontal arm (tube) and the two fork arms. The orthogonality of the main axes is adjustable, ensuring maximum pointing precision.
Two persons can do the setup in 1 hour with a set of allen keys. Watch the time lapse here!
The latest version explained – video.
The manual is available here.
Tech talk
MoFoD is served by our proprietary ultra precise friction drive system with important advantages: silent and efficient operation means small ecological footprint, zero backlash means easy guiding combined with precise tracking, effective brake even without power means safety at all times. Longevity is guaranteed by high tech materials, reflecting in the 5 year warranty period.
To ensure precision in pointing and reliability in remote mode, high resolution encoders are fitted on both axes. The stepper motors have 0,1″ resolution.
The optional sliding weight inside the horizontal fork arm allows fine balancing the OTA for best operation. Coarse balancing is achieved by sliding both fork arms with the OTA in the correct direction.
Specifications
- Materials: Zink plated steel, powder coated (base), cast aluminium, 6082 aluminium (RA housing and shaft), stainless steel, (fork arms), roller bearings, stepper motors, high resolution optical encoders.
- PE: cca 2” ptv in 30 minutes
- Weight: RA base cca 50 kg, Horizontal arm cca 12 kg, Fork arms with drive cca 25kg.
- Payload: 80 kg
- Pier interface: D360-mm circular
- Accepted OTAs: from 25 cm up to 50 cm (optics diam.) or multiple smaller instruments. The typical OTA for a fork is any Cassegrain variant (RC, DK, SC, MC) or a fast Newtonian. The fork has 600 mm free swing for the eyepiece end of the OTA. Max distance between Losmandy rails: cca 680mm (larger custom distance possible).
- OTA interface: 3” Losmandy female ( rails supplied upon request)
- NEW in 2020: new friction drivehead with subarcsecond precision tracking.
Price list for fork mount MOFOD MkIII
Price: EUR 12 400. net (controller included)
Pier: ask for a quote! Write to info (at) geminitelescope.com
Delivery within 8-10 weeks, 5 years of warranty for all mechanical parts and 2 years for all electronic parts.