Abstract

A prototype spherical grinding spindle has been developed for the generation of difficult aspheric surfaces. This device uses a peripheral grinding wheel rotating about two orthogonal axes to produce a spherical grinding surface which wears uniformly during the generation of an aspheric surface. Hydrostatic bearings are used for both axes and the design and performance of these bearings will be discussed. The grinding forces for numerically controlled grinding have been measured using a three axis dynamometer. The subsurface fracture depth has been characterized for both continuous and intermittent grinding operations, by polishing a generated sample at a known angle. Examination with a phase contrast microscope allows the depth of the fractures to be determined from the known angle between the generated surface and the polished surface.

© 1986 Optical Society of America