Why did the telescope need a cover?
The ASA AZ1000 telescope owned by Christof Reinhart is designed to sit under a dome, so its housing was not made to resist water from outside, and a gap runs around the upper part. When the observatory roof was opened without authorisation and the weather turned suddenly, rain entered through that gap. Electronics, drive and encoder were damaged, with costs in the five-figure range.
How was the part made?
The contact came at an event, where a printer was running at the Replique stand. Engineer Ignacio Rodriguez designed the cover to the mount's dimensions as two halves, one fitted from each side, so nothing on the telescope has to be taken apart. The parts were printed by FDM in PET, which the company describes as tolerant of moisture and temperature swings, and travelled to La Palma in hand luggage. One spot needed 2 mm of rework on site.
What happened with the fee?
Replique works only for companies, so it calculated material and labour at 500 euros and donated that sum instead of invoicing. Reinhart doubled it, giving 1,000 euros to the Kinderhospiz Sterntaler in Mannheim, which supports seriously ill children, young people and their families.