Optical Surfacing Tool with Elastic Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical surfacing tools face challenges in achieving high-quality surfacing with minimal appearance defects, particularly in conforming to surfaces of varying curvatures and ensuring uniform material removal.
Innovation Solution
An optical quality surfacing tool featuring an elastically compressible interface with a connecting structure that includes a bell and peripheral wall, allowing the flexible pad to conform closely to the work surface, supported by an elastic return member that enables deformation and uniform pressure distribution, facilitating high-quality surfacing on convex and concave surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used for the surfacing tool, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to conform to surfaces of varying curvatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into a rigid support structure and a separate elastically compressible element, allowing each segment to fulfill its specific function - the rigid part provides stability while the elastic part provides adaptability to varying curvatures
Solution Approach 2:
An elastically compressible interface element is introduced between the rigid support and the flexible pad, enabling the tool to adapt to surfaces of varying curvatures while maintaining overall structural stability through the rigid support
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connecting structure fully contacts the interface, then structural stability is improved, but the conformation quality of the flexible pad to the work surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure is designed to contact only a portion of the interface, extracting the essential support function while leaving other portions free to deform and conform to the work surface, thereby maintaining both stability and conformation quality
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting structure provides support at specific locations (partial contact) rather than uniformly across the entire interface, allowing different regions of the interface to have different degrees of freedom - some areas are supported for stability while others are free to conform to the work surface
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool ensures excellent conformation of the flexible pad to the work surface, allowing for high-quality surfacing with reduced defects and improved material removal homogeneity across various surface curvatures, while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and use.
Implementation Method 1
the elastically compressible interface makes it possible to compensate for the difference in curvature between the end surface of the tool support and the optical surface
Implementation Method 2
its friction against the tool being sufficient to jointly drive the latter in rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a surfacing tool for optical purposes, comprising a body (30) for mounting the tool (10) on a surfacing machine, an elastically compressible interface (12), a flexible buff (13), and a connecting structure between said mounting body (30) and said elastically compressible interface (12). The connecting structure comprises a bell (11), and a supporting body (14) between the peripheral wall (17) of the bell (11) and the periphery of the interface (12), said body (30) for mounting the tool (10) on a surfacing machine (32, 33) being connected to the main body (16) on the side opposite the side facing the interface.