Abstract

Optical materials such as ceramics and glass are not usually amenable to machining operations because of their poor fracture toughness and attendant brittleness. However, production of optical surfaces using machine tools has the advantage that a complex form can be deterministically generated, for example, an aspherical surface. Consequently, considerable interest exists in developing single-point diamond turning and diamond grinding technologies for brittle materials. Very high stiffness, precision machine tools must be used to control the process and, in particular, avoid surface fracture damage. Under appropriate conditions, "ductile-regime" machining conditions can be achieved wherein the material removal appears to take place by ductile shear rather than brittle fracture. However, material removal mechanisms underlying ductile-regime machining processes are not well understood. The work reported here is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie these processes. The development and verification of models for single-point diamond turning will be addressed.

© 1990 Optical Society of America