AGO Technology

AGO telescopes are no compromise imaging platforms capable of capturing stunning images in the hands of a skilled user.

CCD astrophotography places unique and strenuous demands on telescope systems and AGO has designed its telescopes to meet and exceed the highest standards of performance.

System Design

AGO uses Solidworks 3D CAD software to virtually design each optical system.  The use of advanced CAD software allows AGO to explore mechanical design options and thoroughly investigate the mechanical characteristics of telescope designs before any carbon fiber fabric is cut or metal machined.  This approach helps AGO reduce design complexity when appropriate and design systems that can be repeatedly manufactured and assembled to high levels of precision and tolerance.

Where the performance of a given material or design is in question, AGO uses NEi Nastran to conduct Finite Element Modeling analyses to optimize the part or assembly to meet the performance, mechanical, cost, manufacturability, and aesthetic objectives of the design. 

AGO has made a significant financial investment in advanced modeling tools because of our commitment to deliver systems of exceptional quality, performance, and value.

Optics

At the heart of each AGO telescope are precision manufactured and interferometrically tested optics crafted by experience opticians.  Rigorous testing and quality control processes ensure that AGO telescopes offer excellent optical performance that will satisfy the most discriminating user.

Testing Methodology

Each optic that goes into an AGO telescope is rigorously tested using a variety of established test methodologies.   This approach and commitment to quality ensures the each AGO telescope provides high contrast, razor sharp performance.  Each and every iDK optical set is null tested as a system in autocollimation against a certified reference flat.  This unforgiving test ensure that the performance of iDK astrographs will be consistently outstanding and meet the potential of the excellent optical design.

After final figuring is complete, each optic is coated with an enhanced aluminum coating and readied for assembly. 

iDK corrector elements are made in the USA by an established optics manufacturer with vast experience making optics for commerical and defense industries.  Each corrector element is thoroughly tested before being coated with a multilayer broadband antireflection coating that reduces light reflection to less than 0.5%. 

Tube Assembly

AGO uses modern materials and construction techniques complemented by time-proven design approaches to create telescopes that offer exceptional performance.  All aluminum parts are machined from 6061 aluminum and are anodized to provide a durable, wear resistant finish.  Carbon fiber sandwich core parts are constructed using vacuum bagging techniques to maximize the rigidity and strength of the composite part.  Stainless steel fasteners are used exclusively to prevent corrosion.

Tube

AGO makes extensive use of carbon fiber and modern core materials to construct telescope tubes that are incredibly stiff yet lightweight.  Nomex honeycomb core is used to add thickness to the tube walls exponentially increasing the stiffness of the tube.  The inner and outer skins of the carbon fiber sandwich consist of a high quality prepreg carbon fiber fabric.  Prepreg carbon fiber must cured at elevated temperatures and AGO has built in-house a large curing oven that relies upon a sophisticated control system to precisely heat, soak, and gradually cool the carbon fiber prepreg according to the temperature profile specified by the fabric manufacturer. 

Each tube is finished with a high quality automotive UV resistant paint.   

Internal reflections are minimized through the use of a jet black, non-shedding flocking material that is adhesively bonded to the entire inside surface of the tube.

Please call us....

AGO is not content to deliver good telescopes; we want to deliver outstanding telescopes.  To accomplish this we extensively design and test our telescope systems using modern materials and contruction techniques to create high-quality astronomical imaging systems.  As always, please feel free to contact AGO at anytime to talk telescopes.