SatNOGS antenna rotator. Part 2. Materials and pricing.

Once the first article about the antenna rotator was issued I started receiving questions about the materials required for building the rotator as well as about the total price. I had explored resources here and there and prepared a short list of parts required on each step of the rotator assembly. The list describes the parts required to build a single cube (out of two). As far as there should be two identical cubes, the total number of materials and resources will be as twice as bigger.



Azimuth frame

- 4x T slot 20x20 L160
- 9x T slot 20x20 L102
- 20x Hidden corner connection slot 6

Side assembly

- 3D printed axis side with the homing sensor
- 3D printed axis side
- 2x Ball bearing housing
- 8x M4-20 screws
- 8x M4 nuts
- 2x Ball Bearing 6008ZZ

Side assembly on the frame

- 1x side assembly (the one without the homing sensor holder)
- 4x M4 slot 6 nuts
- 4x M4-10 bolts

Worm gear assembly

- 3D Printed Worm gear
- Thread lock glue
- 2x M5 nut
- 1x M5 washer
- 90mm M5 threaded rod

Side worm assembly

- The previous worm gear assembly.
- 3D Printed: Worm mount
- 2 ball bearings 625ZZ
- 4x M4 nut slot 6
- 4x M4-10 screws
- 2x M5 washer.

Second axis side on the frame

- The second axis side assembly (the one with the homing sensor holder)
- 2x M4 slot6 nuts
- 2x M4-10 bolts
- 2x M4 slot6 nuts
- 2x M4-20 bolts
- The motor mount.

Axis spacer collar preparation

- 3D printed: Axis spacer collar
- 3x M3 nut
- 3x M3-10 set screws (headless)

Axis in frame

- 1x M3 nut
- 1x M3-25 bolt.

Placing the stepper motors

- 4x M3-6 bolt
- 4x M3 washers
- NEMA 17 stepper motor
- GT2 pulley 20 T 5mm bore
- GT2 pulley 36 T 5mm bore

The totals. Prices depend on the place you put your orders to. Numbers in brackets show prices in Ukraine for the entire set (converted to USD).

T slot (4x160 mm + 9x102 mm) ($15)
Ball bearings 6008ZZ x2 ($3)
Ball bearings 625ZZ x2  ($1)
Hidden corner connection slot 6 x20 ($20)
M4-20 screws x8
M4 nuts x8
M5 slot 6 nuts x4 + x4 + x4 = 12 ($13)
M5-10 bolts x4 + x4 + x2 = 10
M5-20 bolts x2
M5 nut x2
M5 washer x1 + x2 = 3
M5 threaded rod 1x90 mm
M3 nut x4 + x1 = 5
M3-10 set bolt x3
M3 washers x4
M3-6 bolt x4
M3-25 bolt x1

The price for all bolts varies but is in the range 1-4 USD per 10. Washers and nuts cost slightly less. Some materials are being ordered from other cities, but usually, the shipping and handling cost about $1.5 per parcel.

Also, take into consideration the price of plastic parts. At the moment of writing, I have no printed parts yet. Based on my experience, I expect all parts should be as heavy as 300-400 grams (less than a pound), which gives another $10 for the plastic thread (both ABS and nylon). If you are going to print by yourself the price for manufacturing will be about $5, and much bigger in case of placing the order somewhere else.

To sum up: the total cost of the finished rotator is expected to be as low as US$150. Plus your efforts, which are priceless.