gocivici

Thank you!I will add it as an option to the step after I test it. I will also update the mechanical parts in the future for a ver 2.0 according to feedback(This is a prototype after all). If you want you can build it right now and give me feedback, or you can wait for an update.

Thank you! I've used PLA for my build. the spacers are glued to the Frame 4a. I was experimenting with different lengths of spacers that is why I did not implement that on the frame. I'm very excited to see you build. Please share it with us when it's done!

Thanks for suggestion! I choose to use a stepper motor controlled with a microcontroller for it's possibilities. For example a simple code could be written on C to check time locally (or from a radio tower maybe?) and sync the clock every 2 hours. Or even set the clock to the current time after a power outage.(Arduino bumps up the stepper speed until current time is reached.)

Thanks for the tip! I was actually going to use a Real Time Clock (RTC) module but I wanted the movement to look continuous. When using little increments to move the stepper the gears look like they are lagging. But you are right. It's more accurate to use such method. I will add this option on the last step & update the Instructable accordingly.

Sure! I'm creating a GitHub repo with all the files you requested. I will post it here when it's done.

Yes, you can use glass marbles but you have to adjust the center of mass of the rails according to the new mass of the marbles.

I forgot to add it thanks for pointing it out! I've used 11mm diameter Steel balls

I've used 11mm diameter steel balls.

Thank you! Yep you are right I forgot to add the ball diameter. I've used 11mm diameter steel balls.

İt's a bit down on the site. I see why you couldn't find it. Here is the direct link:http://www.airspayce.com/mikem/arduino/AccelStepper/AccelStepper-1.58.zip

Great project, nice work! Maybe you can add different colored markers to it in the future?

Sorry for the late reply! you can download the library from here: https://github.com/chrisfryer78/ArduinoRTClibraryThanks for pointing that out!

Woah! this is the most creative use of a fidget spinner I've seen so far. It actually solves a problem. Bravo!It would be awesome if the hands holding the tubes had hinges on it, this way the tubes would rise while spinning like on an actual centrifuge!

Wow that's impressive, especially the auto-calibration feature and calculations. Nice project!

Wow that's impressive.

Currently, the setup tracks the sky 1 degree at a time. So a long-term exposure can result in small star trails. However, you can edit the code to track in real time. Erase this part:if( floor(LST_degrees)==LST_degrees ){...(don't erase the inside)}(I do not recomment using a camera with this setup. Because of the accuracy of the motors and gear ratios)

Thanks for the feedback!You are right, I did not use the actual reduction of the steppers, I used the pre-defined accelsteper library. However it did not effect the overall accuracy of the setup. But on v2 I will consider the real reduction of the steppers. Thank you for pointing that out!