Three-Axis Optical Polishing for Large Lens Surface Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for polishing large optical lenses and mirrors are uneconomical and inefficient, particularly for achieving high accuracy and low surface roughness, due to the need for expensive and time-consuming correction processes, especially when using polishing film or pitch.
Innovation Solution
A triaxial polishing process using a device with a workpiece holding ring that moves in three axes, allowing for interpolating machining and swivel movements, enabling the lens or mirror to rest vertically on the polishing tool by gravity, and utilizing both polishing film and pitch effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional polishing methods with fixed spindles are used, then the polishing process is simple, but the manufacturing precision and surface roughness are insufficient for large optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the workpiece holding ring movable in three axes (X, Y, Z) while the polishing tool remains fixed on a single spindle. This dynamic arrangement allows the workpiece to be positioned and repositioned relative to the polishing tool, enabling precise control over the polishing contact area and maintaining high manufacturing precision for large optical components without requiring a complex multi-spindle system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the polishing system into a fixed polishing tool spindle and a movable workpiece holding ring with three independent axes. This segmentation allows the workpiece to be independently positioned and oriented relative to the polishing tool, achieving high surface roughness control while keeping the overall device structure simpler than conventional multi-spindle approaches
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple correction processes are applied to achieve high accuracy, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the productivity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous polishing action by allowing the workpiece to be moved in three axes while maintaining constant contact with the polishing tool. The workpiece can be continuously repositioned to different areas of the polishing pad without breaking the polishing process, eliminating the need for multiple correction processes and significantly improving productivity while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The three-axis movable workpiece holding ring allows preliminary positioning and orientation of the workpiece before polishing begins. This preliminary action ensures that the entire workpiece surface can be uniformly polished in a single continuous process, preventing the need for subsequent correction processes and improving overall productivity
3Reliability
If the workpiece is held by suction or clamping, then the workpiece is securely fixed, but the workpiece cannot rest vertically on the polishing tool by gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses gravity as the fixing mechanism by allowing the workpiece to rest vertically on the polishing tool through its own weight. The three-axis movable holding ring supports the workpiece in a vertical orientation, eliminating the need for suction or clamping mechanisms and simplifying the positioning operation while maintaining reliable workpiece fixation during polishing
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
Enables cost-effective and efficient polishing of large optical components with high accuracy and low surface roughness, reducing the need for additional correction processes and maintaining tool radius stability during polishing.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for interpolating machining and swivel movements, enabling the lens or mirror to rest vertically on the polishing tool by gravity
Implementation Method 2
The polishing tool is attached, as is known from practice, to a tool spindle of a polishing machine, by means of which it is set into rotation. The lens to be polished is situated in a workpiece carrier, also called a lens holder, which in turn is connected to a workpiece spindle and also rotates.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for polishing an optical lens or an optical mirror use a polishing tool and a workpiece holding ring for accommodating the optical lens or the optical mirror. The workpiece holding ring is arranged above the tool in a vertical direction, and the device has three axes, which are movable during the polishing process, for moving the workpiece holding ring and the polishing tool.