Abstract

The demand for modernizing the precision optics manufacturing industry has led to the development of a new generation of computer controlled precision machining process known as deterministic microgrinding at the Center for Optics Manufacturing (COM) at the University of Rochester in cooperation with the American Precision Manufacturers Association (APOMA). The Opticam (Optics Automation and Management) machine is a closed loop computer-integrated grinding and polishing system that generates and fine grinds blanks to an optical specification and centers to final dimensional requirements. The entire process excluding any post-polishing takes approximately five minutes. The optical elements fabricated by this precision machining process exhibit residual tool marks in the shape of periodic radial grooves which are orthogonal to the nature of surfaces machined by single-point diamond turning process where the surfaces exhibit azimuthal periodic grooves.

© 1996 Optical Society of America