Update 14 October 2026: Modifications to the design to enable attaching the parts without having to take the dovetail off the telescope rings. The part that slides onto the dovetail was 3D printed using resin (MSLA) on Saturn 3 Ultra. The orange plug (in CAD) was printed in PETG on the X2D.
Making a DIY z-axis balancing kit to improve tracking when using the CEM40 mount. The CEM40 balances the RA axis by adjusting the counterweight along its corresponding shaft, while the telescope is balanced in DEC by sliding it along the dovetail. The kit basically adds balance in the third direction to correct for an off-axis payload such as a camera, filter wheel or guide scope. The weigh comes from a metal hex coupler purchased at a hardware store, the z-axis being a 6mm diameter 80mm long bolt. The white part that slides along the dovetail was printed in PETG (X-Plus). The red part is ABS (X-Plus). It is important to keep the z-axis as short as possible as having metal parts that protrude out at eye level when crouching down around the mount is a hazard. So if need be have more weight closer in to the telescope. This also reduces moments of inertia.
