Technologies for producing segments for Extremely Large Telescopes

D. Walker, C. Atkins, I. Baker, R. Evans, S. Hamidi, P. Harris, H. Li, W. Messelink, J. Mitchell, M. Parry-Jones, P. Rees, G. Yu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We describe progress on a novel process-chain being used to produce eight 1.4m hexagonal segments as prototypes for the European Extremely Large Telescope - a Master Spherical Segment as a reference, and seven aspheric segments. A new pilot plant integrates a bespoke full-aperture test-tower designed and built by OpTIC Glyndŵr, with a Zeeko 1.6m polishing machine. The process chain starts with aspherising hexagonal segments on the Cranfield BoX™ grinder, followed by smoothing, corrective-polishing and edge-rectification using the Zeeko CNC platform. The paper describes the technology and progress, and anticipates how the process-chain is expected to evolve through the seven segments to increase both process-speed and surface-quality.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Manufacturing and Testing IX
Volume8126
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Nov 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventOptical Manufacturing and Testing IX - San Diego, United States
Duration: 20 Aug 201122 Aug 2011
Conference number: IX
https://spie.org/OPO/conferencedetails/optical-manufacturing-and-testing (Link to Conference Details )

Conference

ConferenceOptical Manufacturing and Testing IX
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period20/08/1122/08/11
Internet address

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