Large substrate precision grinding and polishing
We offer the capability of grinding and polishing with particular emphasis on rapid throughput fabrication of large surface areas to ultra high precision (better than 1 part in 108). Surfaces up to 2m in diameter can be machined into complex shapes to a precision in the nanometre range. Applications include aerospace components, mirror segments for large astronomical telescopes, infra-red lenses, and imprint drums for precision replication in roll-to-roll printing applications.
Our facility houses some of the world's most effective ultra precision machining systems for producing advanced functional surfaces in large substrates such as lenses, mirrors and flats using newly developed abrasive pad and fluid jet polishing technologies. These promise to revolutionise the industry by achieving greater accuracy at up to 6 times the speed of conventional techniques. We have full processing capability (from small-scale artifacts up to 1.6 metres, with a partial capability to 2 metres) comprising:
- The BoX ultra precision large optics grinder (2 metres capacity) BoX takes a rough blank and grind the rear, edges, and bevels. It can then grind a rotationally-symmetric or free-form surface on the front, with low sub-surface damage and surface roughness, ready for polishing.
- Zeeko ultra-precision polishing machines covering small, medium and large (up to 1.6 metres) capacities embodying classic, abrasive pad and fluid jet polishing technologies
- The Reactive Atom Plasma Technology surface finishing facility developed by RAPT Industries in partnership with Cranfield University
We have a full suite of surface metrology equipment, including measurement interferometers, high stability for form measurement, miniature high accuracy, and white-light for small scale surface profiling.
Applications
As well as large mirrors and lenses, the process expertise applies to other market sectors that are increasingly demanding rapid and precise fabrication of complex surfaces.
There are a host of potential applications that could benefit from predictable, automated fabrication of complex surface, such as:
- Space and defence optics, including light-weight technologies such as honeycomb mirrors and other structured blanks, and modern materials such as carbon fibre composite mirrors and the moulds needed to manufacture them
- Moulds for producing lenses in mass-produced consumer products
- Moulds for reflectors for advanced illumination systems (automotive and other sectors)