Omega-X micromachining system
A micromachining tool system with X- and omega-axes is used to machine spherical, aspherical, and irregular surfaces with a maximum contour error of 100 nanometers (nm) and surface waviness of no more than 0.8 nm RMS. The omega axis, named for the angular measurement of the rotation of an eccentric mechanism supporting one end of a tool bar, enables the pulse increments of the tool toward the workpiece to be as little as 0 to 4.4 nm. A dedicated computer coordinates motion in the two axes to produce the workpiece contour. Inertia is reduced by reducing the mass pulsed toward the workpiece to about one-fifth of its former value. The tool system includes calibration instruments to calibrate the micromachining tool system. Backlash is reduced and flexing decreased by using a rotary table and servomotor to pulse the tool in the omega-axis instead of a ball screw mechanism. A thermally-stabilized spindle rotates the workpiece and is driven by a motor not mounted on the micromachining tool base through a torque-smoothing pulley and vibrationless rotary coupling. Abbe offset errors are almost eliminated by tool setting and calibration at spindle center height. Tool contour and workpiece contour are gaged on the machine; this enables the source of machining errors to be determined more readily, because the workpiece is gaged before its shape can be changed by removal from the machine. 39 figs.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4083272; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 5-750317
- OSTI ID:
- 6956330
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 14 Dec 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Omega-X micromachining system
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Related Subjects
MACHINE TOOLS
DESIGN
CALIBRATION
MINIATURIZATION
PERFORMANCE
SERVOMECHANISMS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
TOOLS
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