Optical Engineering
Diamond-Turned Optics Manufacturing and Precision Mechanical Metrology
Single-point diamond turning manufacturing combined with precision mechanical metrology can improve the quality of many optical systems and change the nature of the optical assembly process. The effective result is “bolt-together” optical assemblies requiring minimal alignment and no “gotchas” during final assembly.
CMM probe of primary mirror
More and more, precision mechanical metrology tech-niques are finding applications in multi-component optical systems. Many modern systems use metal and ceramic-based materials for both optical components and housings, and many incorporate reflective elements with unconventional aspheric forms. From these systems, customers have insisted on greater optical performance and producibility in larger quantities. Fortunately, as customers have gotten more demanding, mechanical metrology processes have improved to become an integral manufacturing tool.
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