SIDE is a instrumentation group formed by the F. Prada's Cosmology group at the IAA-CSIC and the company AVS, targeted to instrumentation for survey spectroscopy. The University of Barcelona, the IAC, the LBNL and the University of Durham are also collaborators of SIDE.
SIDE has a valuable experience on precision fiber positioning mechanisms and is currently testing a Fiber Positioner prototype. This project involves the mechanics, electronics and control software for the prototype.
A patent process is progressing for the prototype design concept.
SIDE has been invited to participate to the BigBOSS project and participated to the ELT OPTIMOS-EVE Phase A work.

The robot prototype (right) in front of a microscope (left). Click on the picture for viewing a moving prototype video.

Simulation of a group of 7 actuators. Click on the picture to see an animation of the combined movement. A simulated performance of the anticollision software can be seen here.