Diamonds, Air Bearings, And Optics

Gordon J. Watt

doi:10.1117/12.956832

27 October 1978 Diamonds, Air Bearings, And Optics

Gordon J. Watt

Proceedings Volume 0159, Precision Machining of Optics; (1978) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956832
Event: 22nd Annual Technical Symposium, 1978, San Diego, United States

Abstract

We are prepared to discuss special machines constructed for finishing regular geometric surfaces to optical figures and finishes, with demonstrated results on cylinders, spheres, flats, prisms, and other surfaces of revolution. Simple modifications to a spherical generator for producing standard conics and aspherics is described. Experience with machine design, inprocess measurement and control, diamond tooling, fixturing, and coolants is discussed. In general, the trend has been to beef-up standard machines for improved accuracy. Funslamentally, a massive machine is made more rigid, at t e expense of lower natural frequencies in the structure. Lighter materials like granite and concrete, modular components based on air bearings and optics, and custom configurations inside-out in nature, pro-vide excellent rigidity and accuracy and are much easier to control. On smaller parts, surface preparation is so fast that notions of a controlled environment become short term. Much of the machine design and development work has been done in West Germany with partial support from the government. Closest to productization have been the fly-cutting machines and lathes for facing and turning. Spherical generators have been in use primarily for in-house production of air bearing components, in Germany and the United States.

Citation Download Citation

Gordon J. Watt "Diamonds, Air Bearings, And Optics", Proc. SPIE 0159, Precision Machining of Optics, (27 October 1978); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.956832

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