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Additive manufacture of optical components

a technology of additive manufacturing and optical components, applied in the field of optics and additive manufacturing, can solve the problems of complex features and difficult manufacturing of many small parts, and achieve the effect of reducing the mass of the mirror substrate, reducing the difficulty of manufacturing large parts, and improving the quality of the produ

Inactive Publication Date: 2018-05-10
THE BF GOODRICH CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a process for creating a mirror substrate by fusing glass powder material. The process involves forming an optimal three-dimensional mirror topology that minimizes the mass of the substrate while providing a level of stiffness and stability. The material properties of the glass material in the substrate can vary in successive layers or position within the structure. The technical effect of this process is a more efficient and stable mirror substrate with optimized optical properties.

Problems solved by technology

But because glass is fragile, it is challenging to manufacture many small, intricate features with these conventional processes, and such intricate features can be important to manufacturing lightweight optics.

Method used

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  • Additive manufacture of optical components
  • Additive manufacture of optical components
  • Additive manufacture of optical components

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Embodiment Construction

[0014]Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of an optical component in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of optical components in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIGS. 2-3, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used to additively manufacture optical components such as mirror substrates from low thermal expansion glass.

[0015]FIG. 1 shows an optical component 100, e.g., a mirror substrate, on a mandrel 102. A method of forming the optical component 100 includes positioning a preformed glass facesheet 104 on the mandrel 102. The facesheet 104 can be made of titania-silica glass, can be relatively thin, and is conto...

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Abstract

A method of forming an optical component includes depositing slurry that includes glass powder material onto a facesheet and fusing the glass powder material to a facesheet to form a first core material layer on the facesheet. The method also includes successively fusing glass powder material in a plurality of additional core material layers to build a core material structure on the facesheet. The method can include selectively depositing slurry including glass powder material over only a portion of at least one of the facesheet, the first core material layer, and / or the one of the additional core material layers. Depositing the slurry can include extruding the slurry from an extruder.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]The present disclosure relates to optics and additive manufacturing, and more particularly to additively manufacturing optics, e.g., from low expansion glass.2. Description of Related Art[0002]Conventional lightweight glass mirror substrates are generated with subtractive manufacturing, milling, grinding, polishing, or etching away material from a large glass boule. These processes can create a stiff, lightweight glass structure with a precisely shaped optical surface, which remains stable under thermal and mechanical loads. But because glass is fragile, it is challenging to manufacture many small, intricate features with these conventional processes, and such intricate features can be important to manufacturing lightweight optics.[0003]The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved manufacturing of glass optics such as mirror subst...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C03B19/01B33Y10/00B33Y80/00C03C8/02G02B5/10
CPCC03B19/01B33Y10/00G02B5/10C03C8/02B33Y80/00C03C17/04C03C17/3417C03C23/0025C03B19/06C03B2201/42C03C2218/32C03C2218/35
Inventor SOUTHARD, BARI M.EAST, MATTHEW J.DUNN, DANIEL E.HARRISON, KRAMER
Owner THE BF GOODRICH CO