Orion 9966 - Manual (Page 4)

4
Box #3: Primary Mirror and Cell
Qty.
Description
1 Primary mirror
1 Mirror cell
3 Collimation knobs
3 Nylon washers
3 Springs
2. Assembly
Now that you have unpacked the boxes and familiarized
yourself with all the parts in front of you, it’s time to begin
assembly.
Assembly of the Optical Tube
In order to prevent damage to the primary mirror in ship-
ment, it is shipped in its cell separately from the optical tube.
To install the mirror cell into the optical tube, the rear end
ring attached to the optical tube must first be removed. This
is done by unthreading and removing the six Phillips-head
screws that connect the end ring to the tube (Figure 2), and
then pulling the end ring off of the tube.
Warning: Once the rear end ring is removed from the tube,
the raw edge of the tube itself will be exposed. Be careful not
to cut or otherwise hurt yourself on the tube’s edge. Also be
careful not to pinch yourself when attaching the assembled
mirror cell onto the tube.
Next, assemble the rear end ring to the mirror cell. Find a
clean, flat surface, and turn the mirror cell over so that the
mirror is facing downwards. Place the three springs onto the
three exposed threaded shafts (Figure 3). Lower the end ring
onto the mirror cell so the threaded shafts pass through it,
and the end ring rests on the springs (Figure 4). Add a nylon
washer to each collimation knob and thread the collimation
knobs through the end ring and onto the threaded shafts
(Figure 5). Make sure the knobs have at least three full turns
Figure 2. To remove the rear end ring, unthread the six screws
that connect it to the tube.
Figure 3. Place the three springs on the exposed threaded
shafts of the mirror cell.
Figure 4. Lower the rear end ring onto the mirror cell so that the
threaded shafts pass through the end ring, and the end ring rests
on the springs.
Figure 5. Thread the collimation thumbnuts, with nylon washers
attached, through the rear end ring and onto the threaded
shafts. Make sure the thumbnuts have at least three full turns of
engagement on the shafts.