COLLIMATING SYSTEMS ELEVATION SCALE (WITH VERNIER FOR PROJECT NO. 9047 FINE CONTROL) ——> COLLIMATOR TELESCOPE HORIZONTAL, (WITH VERNIER FOR FINE CONTROL) FIGURE 4. ARTIFICIAL STAR Copyright 1955 By Edmund Sciemtfic Cor EDMUND SCIENTIFIC CO. BARRINGTON, N.J.COLLIMATING SYSTEMS PROJECT NO. 9047 EDMUND SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION SEY Copytgh 1955 By Edmund Sirtife Co ‘The collimator is an arrangement of an illu- minated target and alens, designed to produce col- limated light; that is, light which consists or bun- dles of parallel beams converging at infinity. Thus, ‘a collimator is a means of providing a target at an infinite distance, or for all intents and purposes, light beams with angles of convergence so small that they are negligible. Within the collimator is a light source, a frosted bulb situated so that the light rays pass through a reticle and a lens. Without a reticle, the image of the lamp filament is projected through the lens, The filament or the reticle image, either one, will be sighting point or target at an infinite range. Collimators are available in various models and styles. It is oven possible that parts could be purchased and @ collimator constructed by the amateur or student. It could be designed for the particular application or need. Because expense is so often a factor in the pur- chase or construction of such equipment, the least expensive yet most adequate collimator is desirable. Many of the precision gunsights prepared for the Armed Forces in World War Il were nothing more or less than carefully designed, accurately mach- ined and precision-ground vollinfators. They pro- vided an illuminated target at an infinite range, ‘These gunsights or collimators are predom- inately of two styles. One collimator consists of a source of illumination, a reticle,a mirror, and a Jens. The first collimator (Figure 1) might be called the gun type because of its shape. A second type of collimator, with an added element, might be described as a box-type. This collimator uses a source of illumination, a reticle, a small lens, @ focusing mirror (or lens), and a glass which serves as a screen to show the reticle and as a right-angle reflector. (Figure 2). ‘There are many types of reticles for many uses (see our pamphlet ‘“RETICLES AND THEIR USES") and almost any one of them is adaptable to the col- Lmator for a specific use, None in particular is recommended since individual taste will more often than not determine ease of use and accuracy of results. Within the base of the gunsight collimators are 28-volt light sources. For best results, 9 frosted, or frosted and partially silvered, bulb is ved. ‘his 28-volt bulb Light source fite into a bay onet-type holder and has both filament leaas on the bottom of the base, Since it is not too easy to cut standard voltage down to 28, the light source must be adapted for standard 10-15 volt or for dry cell (flashlight) operation, Because the 110-115 volt system can provide brighter light, its installation in the collimator will be discussed first. ‘The entire light source mounting canbe remov- ed from the collimator by removing one or two screws, depending upon the type of collimator used. ‘The inner part of the socket mounting canbe detach~ ed fromthe bracket. ‘This isdone inone collimator by depressing a spring-loaded detent on the side of the bracket and forcing the bulb socket out of the bracket, In the other type collimator, the socket is removed by loosening the screw in a spring-loadéd clamp. 1A small base, screw-type socket, with either a plastic or a paper insulator around it, may be placed in the bracket and the whote returned to the collimator frame or box. The connections to the switch may have to be remade, andthe MPEENOL plug connection on the lead of the stock collimator will have to be replaced with a standard male plug for use with standard building and home outlets. If the standard flashlight is to be used, a pre- forable arrangoment is one in which the light from the flashlight shines directly into and through the reticle, Either type collimator has openings which can be adapted for flashlight attachment. However, it should be understood that the flashlight application is satisfactory for direct viewing of the reticle, but ‘the light source would be inadequate in, for instance, adaptation of the collimator for use as an autocol- limator. Mountings for the collimators themselves will differ greatly. The gun-type collimator canbe tri- pod-mounted, or a gun-type handle might be added. In another version, the collimator might be mounted so that itean pivot in a vertical plane about an axis at right angles to the direction of projection of the collimator, In addition, this mounting may be placed ona unit which rotates about @ verticle axis; and almost all directional problems can be solved and various directional measurements and adjustments made. The box-type collimator can be mounted in much the same manner as in the gun-type collima- tor, but perhaps not always soeasily. This collima- tor has side mounting brackets on its case for rigid positioning. ‘The purpose for which the collimator wilt be used determines whether it will be tripod or bench mounted, or if a hand-grip will be used. The hand- grip would be of more use inthe autocollimator than in the collimator, The autocollimator is simply a combination of a collimator, an attached telescope, and a mirror. Ideally, the box-type collimator would be used here, but either collimator might be adpated without too much difficulty. Because application determines the type of mounting used with the collimator. it would be well to discuss and illustrate some uses for the collima~ tor or autocollimator. Hunters often are faced with the problem of the adjustment of the telescople sights which they may use. Since these are primarily range adjust- nents, and there is also the problem of bore Sighting, two targets must be available; i.e., one for the bore sighting and one for optical adjustment of the telescopic sight, The gun can be mounted by resting the barrel ona fork, the stock of the, gun serving as the third leg of a tripod. (See Figure 3). ‘The collimator could then be mounted on a tripod with a variable height adjustment. With a properly measured distance between the rifle end the collimator, and a scaled reticle, all range ad- justments for the rifle, up to and including infinity, could be accomplished. ‘The hunter's telescope alone canbe mounted for adjustment with the collimator. Various types of holders can be developed for the scope and for the collimator. Qne mounting for both could be & lathe bench, A V-slotted holder might be mounted ona Isthe bench and the telescope set in it. ‘Telescopic sights might also be mounted in rings with three clamp-serew fittings which would permit centering of the telescopes in the ring at & predetermined hetght, The ringholder might slsobe bench mounted, Im these cases, the collimator would also be bench- mounted so that the axis of the collimated light bundie and the ring coincided, With this. mounting arrangement, the scope would be situated so that the reticle image would be visible through i, and, therefore, a target at an infinite range would be available. PoLaRized Lass REFLECTOR SCREEN TRANSLUCENT FIGURE 2. BOX TYPE COLUMATORFor adjustment of an astronomical telescope, another type of mount might be desirable. In this case, the type of mount might depend more upon the sive of the telescope than upon any other factor. A base for the collimator is, of course, necessary, And, because the collimated image is at infinity, any telescope position is satsifactory if the image in the collimator is visible. The reticle image is thus the star at a tremendous range, a range which, for all practicalangular measuring purposes is in- finite; and itis the adjusting target for the telescope. Other mounting equipment, such as compasses, compass roses, and elevation arcs might be added to the telescope for angular elevation and distance measurements, snd for directional determinations. With a properly scaled reticle in the collimator, thot is one with angular distance and clevation scales upon it, properly adjusted, micrometer adjustments ran be set and vernier errors determined and cor- rected with extreme accuracy. A collimated star may ve constructed using the collimaiwr. Hecause 01 tne distance of the star from the earth, its light may be considered as a bundle of collimated light, The collimator can duplicate this condition, unaffected by time of dey or night, season of the year, or by weather condi- tions. With an accurately aligned angular scale in 8 vertical plane, passing through the axis of the collimated light bundle, a collimator can be placed so that ft points directly downward at 9¢ degrees of elevation, and horizontally at 0 degrees of elevation. Placed on a wall and about 7 ft, above the floor, the collimator can represent a selected star of tho Cosmos. A horivontal line ateye level canserve as an artificial horizon. With the star elevation known, the elevation seale of a telescope can be adjusted. The horizontal line and a bubble level can be used for adjusting the telescope hovivontally or at zero degrees elevation. (See Figure 4). The collimated *“star'" and horivontal line can also be used as a practice tool or teaching aid in the use of navigational instruments. The U. S. Navy uses this collimated “‘star" method, with an artificial horizon, gimbal-mounted, to teach the use of the sextant in both the elementary and advanced stages, that is, with a round sea running, The gim bal mounts of the artificial horozon permit the intro- duction of pitch and roll of a ship into the problem of navigational star sights. — FIGURE 3. ADJUSTING TELESCOPIC SIGHTS The determination of zero degrees of elevation can also be accomplished with a 90 degree setting on the collimator and a 45-45-90 prism, (See Figure 5). The light from the collimator at a 80 degree elevation (pointing directly downward) would have a 45 degree angle of incidence and a 45 degree angle of reflection with the prism. The artificial horivon is not necessary in this latter setup, but is needed for use with the sextant. Were one to obtain 8 0 degree prism, ameans of determining parallelism in work faces of some ‘ion equipment is available, using the collima- tor. An example of this would be the determination of parallelism of the faces of a micrometer. Setting up as shown in figure 6, it can be-seen that colnei- donce of the virtual andthe reflected images would indicate proper face machining and alignment. In this operation, the collimator is best mounted with the collimated light bundle being directed vertical- ly downward, and the prism mounted on a horizon- tal table, Bench marks should be made onthe base or platform used once proper position of the collima~ tor mount and the prism have been determined. Because of the sives and types of instruments to. be checked, it is often difficult to determine the exact positions for the various precision tools and instru- ments to be checked. This, though, is 2 minor pro- blem since careful observation will insure reason- ably accurate positioning of one face or surface of the instrument, Lack of coincidence of reticle and reflected images indicates improper alignment. NE cowtmoc) att VERMER FOR FINE CONTROL) FIGURE 4. ARTIFICIAL STAR“ap FIGURE 5, DETERMINING ZERO DEGREES OF ELEVATION If the reticle and image in one half of the screen coincide, that side is properly aligned. Disagree- ment or non-coincidence on the other side indicates misalignment. If this information is true for a micrometer, it can be seen that the micrometer is of little use Since measurements wherein a micro- meter might be used are usually extremely critical, ‘This woula show that the micrometer was valueless tor precision work and itwould have tobe repusced or remachined and checked. Non-parallelism in micrometer faces 1s very serious when scales are small, but with larger scales and no need for extreme precision, there is little need for the eritical readings bbtained with the colli- mator. But, it 1s possible, with the properreticle in the collimator, to determine gr measure the degree of divergence of two surfaces from the parallel, ‘The autocollimator has been mentioned pre~ viously. Except todescribe the elements, there was no further information, The box-type collimator is best-suited for this use. The telescope is mounted behind the collimator so that the reticle image is centered, andthe mirror is mounted ona flat surface some distance away. Inthis application, it is desir- ed to ascertain a perpendicular to a plane surface, ator in about the position of the mirror. If the collimator and telescope combination is moved so that the reflection of the reticle and virtual image appear concentric through the telescope, the auto- collimator is in line which is at a 90 degree angle to the plane of the mirrored surface. If a plumb line were dropped from the collimator, that plumb Line and the line of sight would determine a verti- cal plane at a 90 degree angle to the original plane surface. Figure 7 illustrates a condition in which the center-line of the collimated light beam is not in a plane perpendicular tothe mirrored surface, If the reflected image is to the right of the virtual image then the autocollimator must be moved to the right. With the reflected image tothe left, the angle of re- flection is again somewhat less than 90 degrees and the autocollimator must be moved to the left, Because there is no noticeable sag or devia- tion from a straight line in the line-of-sight, the autocollimator, or a straight collimator, may be used in the setting up of a form or a template. Air foils may also be determined more accurately with ithe use of this equipment. The collimator is also ‘useful in the machine shop for determining table level and accurate angular relationship between non-intersecting plane surfaces, as well as angles, between regular intersecting plane surfaces. Determination of a curved surtace is a relative- ly easy proposition witha collimator. Anagcurately machined base, as shown in figure 8, with a mirror attached, will follow an outside curve. A collimator mounted on knife edges so that the projected beam is, always verticle, can project the reticle image into ‘the mirror and back tothe glass screen, An angular scale scribed on the glass screen, or a reticle with the proper angular scale,will permit the actual read- ing of the angle from the horizontal, thereby per- mitting the actual construction or measurement of an ontside curve, Almost any optical equipment with range adjust= ments can be checked or set by use of acollimator. Binoculars can be adjusted or realigned, and camera rangefinders can be set with the collimator pro- viding a target at maximum or infinite range. 0) ReRTEr race (ey weonare in aceoeare FIOURE 6. TESTING MICROMETER FACES eSDIRECT-READING ANGULAR SCALE Enc ousipa 4° ff ~ Ce i ei] Bad Ss is Be OREN OE oF inewes "7 cvecus ov ents + 017 A ee THE COLLIMATOR TARGET is a handy gad- eine Test EO: get for the telescope builder, providing as it does ing the degree marks. OF A TELESCOPE ‘The construction is simply a wooden box with the target taped to a picce of glass. The target must be located in the exact focal plane of the lens. This will be about 5-3/4 inch plus 1/32 inch from the =H front of the box. You can check exactly by using the | © coutmarony collimator as a camera, pointing the lens toward @ To Gistant object. Thon, adjust target until image of F:L. OF AN ‘Mesmuesee sae distant object is sharp on the target. EVEPIECE 2 Ex: oss route uc the Coblimatn Tart INFINITY TARGET F.L. OF LENS SYSTEM (o/ncRam 8)REFLECTED IMAGE RIGHT MOVE AUTOCOLLIMATOR RIGHT ww er J+—avro coumaror REFLECTED IMAGE MIGK MOVE AUTOCOLLIMATOR UPWARD J-—revescore FIGURE 7. AUTOCOLLIMATOR A gun-type collimator can be rebuilt toprovide a lightpointer for use in showing slides or home mov- ies, pointing out pertinent facts and salient points for better understanding, or to assure that they are noticed. Again, the 28-volt bulb should be replaced with something of higher candle-power rating, and the reticle must be one suitable as a pointer, such as anarrow circle of light. A gun-type handle, with a spring-loaded trigger switch for quick closing ‘and opening, provides an inexpensive and simple pointer. KNIFE COLLIMATOR. EDGE: FRAME a 4 ce (A) COLLIMATOR AND MOUNT FIGURE 8. DETERMINING CURVATURE A directed beam of light from a collimator might serve to activate a photo-electric cell or switch if the light should be interrupted. The collimator is, then, a source of directed light, concentrated within given limits, such that it can be used in precision measurements, or under conditions wherein an infinite range mustbe accom- plished within a confined space, It can provide a Gistant target without the interferences of weather, built-up areas, trees and hills, fog, smokes, or other outside influences. With proper attachments, it can perform some of the jobs of a surveyor's transit, a gunsmith's bench marks, a navigator’s star, an astronomer's tool, an instrumentman's checking equipment, and a templatemakers’ side, ‘There are undoubtedly other uses for the colli- mator, but its primary application is one in which precision measurements are desired at the lowest possible cost, RETICLE AND REFLECTED IMAGE WOOO VOOHD PICTURE OF INSTRUMENT OPERATION FIGURE fa DETERMINING CURVATUREAPPENDIX or tering and measuring lnaee and telescopic instruments, it (8 highly dnsurabe fo make use ofa test acget apon which te inatruneot OF lene ‘Srquention may be fovused o infinity “The appesrance of such a target sot efficah to iene might comsiat oft lenge vertical Wooden struc ‘Srealmilar to abliboard with «teat pattern pated on ite eurface While itisrge outdoor target might be very veel, there are mary serious objec lane ot which ace fanly covioun, in view ofthe arent ize and expense tm outdoor target, a teteble webetitato vor be ae ACollimatoe Tazget in jst sach » eubattte ypon which «teleacore may Seioouscest iat and et ser be more tan few laches ae ‘ Scott In Figare 1, line AB representa a email luminated target, oF rt placed is ha left-hand foc plane o's ler LC, se gnated te Colla: for beon- Allraye ortgaatng from at plat ob the target will emeree ‘fom the Colisnator Late paraiel to each ater. ‘oan cbecrver a the Teh of lene LE, the emergent raya, $ and € foam pots A appent to have {ie iin pit tn nani dance tte Lat he ene fe above the prieeipal aie O. Similarly. emereect rays 2 ana 4 appear iShaetis ois na ptt cote paca eaten ive their origin a a finite point beyond the tne LC. Therefore, tne ‘nual fect of losing ama iuminatedetiele inthe focal pane of the Galliater Lena, is exactly the ste ae that produced by viewing Aree {arget from an extreme sistance Needees to ety, the Collimator Lang mothe # good achromat with excel [eat correct over etal Held. "Thon, ove can consribite defect cb served nthe final image tothe teat ie and act te ellimator. AD ex elon teleccope objective in urually stable one ehaoteasn achromet for 2 collimator, the problem ot color corres Nomis aot completely aslved becouse af secondary spoctrum.andeannat be Conslderedsepigable nies ove ehooaes an achromat having afocalength ‘The fae below shouldbe help Desired Din. of Minimam required focal length of Gelimting Uare Colimating Lene Binchee 45 inenes ete sas nena Figure 2, belowitlutrates home-made collisstor aystem which may be ‘ase in ap eveninga tine. Ki conainta of th appropriate retile, an ache ‘ate lens witha foc length chose an sbove, and lg source located things pleco of ground lan which acta ta'eaiffusing screen. A mounts {ng tabeta eat approximately tote focal lengthot the lene being wee, and aimed scion the ioide, ‘The collimator lena is then moumtedequare iy nioaue endef heiabe, ‘The desired reticle and lh source aze'moxnt— és luatratedwithine amullertubevenichalge-tt into the larger tbe. the eset «sme ttescope, the rtsle may be djnted to tha correct ‘Extence fom be collar tne, and hen eecored permeneeyin nce ‘The edhnimen roveaure ie coined below 1. Poca the telaucope at aninfnite object auch wa a eter, and secure the {daw tube wile plece of aeoteh tape 2, Moun collimator aystns andthe pre-focuredteleecope an a opicat Benen. withthe principal wus of each coinelng. 3. Whe’ obla noun elesce, dnt te coat eaile by 4 Geadualty move the telercape tay ‘rout the collimator wget. The ‘innge of the relcle ahould remate the same ite end be infos a al 5, Wntey $ ts accomplished, fasten the small seticle tube permanently to [Av akeraais methogia availabe to hone whe Dave not thee ofan el~ IMiy teeeeope, Phe sathod ie nstoscolmatlon When the rate eb ‘e'proper poviicn with raepect tothe collimating lew. all raya leaving {he Zeihinasing lana tre sncenslly paralte. Tha. wilt mirror Blnced Infcon ot the collimating era end perpendicater tothe beam wll extec the aye to reflechupon theseaciven sod orm an image of he reticle fuperin= poaed'on tie slice Hoeif; "Won hin cocurs the wre in inthe proper Deaiton withreapectto the collimating lene. ‘The airror ls thes removed ‘The collimator lene anould be ax lerge, or lag sa the Tangent blecive likely toe touted wits it, and « provision to change felsies tay alno be uaefe. "Once th reticle position fo enablobed. i eed net be ates ioator len RBTICLES: For teeing 7 shout aa follow: Dia. of Wein reams Shisopotentens ot SST SPS go ngs" Sek Fah anna —0oe ole 880 — Shoe ito ponctare the hele. Aoother method Sato sharpen needle tine eto, birling aad drawing i ot atthe amma Unser the Tage Tip unl i appeare pectecty sharp uncer « magnifier or Photographic Lenses: When one i tenting photograph lees one i Efereutediniwesuvion‘Teerstore, aratice or tne collimator sboacon {tins known number of nen euchunt @ntance. Those eee should be beth orinontl and vrtien. Te Sdacorp He? (Sock No, 90,078) Reticle {ran example (lomae. vised ino 100 part) 1 mnt be rememberedthat a magniiction or demagaitication Wt resuit fe the image oblained (rom the photographie ene. "Thie magneton te ‘euelto the focal Length of Ihephotogtaphic lee dividedby the focellength ‘Aa an example, iat un tent a pootograpic lena having? inch focal 1ength {rih an Beit reticle and a collimating era having 00 toh focal length, ‘Taecefore, the alee of Ue final anage willbe 1/10 the alte ofthe origina? Teticie, each ine ofthe reticle fe resolved in thefina image the rerl= ‘lon pra oa 10 ven n he iia rte ha ‘amination ofthe reticle is a matter that must be determined experiment hy asthe proper bikmination wl depend pon the ame townich the clll- Ibator te nibiecieg. When ning some ofthe aaaler pinole rtitey, ‘Bay be heceasary to replace the ground glans with wcondeseing ena. 12 fererai, high Dtzlaaton shouldbe provided. If a tnt requizene lower {ciaton tla can then be evel obtained by using & neutral fhe priscipel asia ofthe system and the Tene oF Snteument being ested Bun be in slammer