I suspect more ATMs would have a harder time using CAD software to design their telescopes than building them with aluminum. Once that's done, though, the rest of the project is straightforward. The metal alternative You can use aluminum for superior strength, weather resistance and freedom from maintenance. Aluminum permits designs that are lighter, more open, more rugged, and easier to balance. You can design each part so it can be cut or machined from standard extruded aluminum.
Extruded aluminum comes in a variety of shapes, and is widely available.
You can often find it in small pieces that are less expensive than standard sizes to buy. Cutting aluminum parts Aluminum is easy to work. Although you may design some complex parts that require a machine shop to make, you can save money and make many simple parts yourself using only a drill press, miter saw or band saw. The edges of miter saw cuts don't need any further work, beyond very light sanding to take off the sharpness. The shop transcribes my drawings into their design program and cuts them out directly.