Microns, Microns, Everywhere And All Of Them Out Of Line

Warren B. Davison; Bobby L. Ulich; Robert E. Parks

doi:10.1117/12.976186

12 May 1986 Microns, Microns, Everywhere And All Of Them Out Of Line

Warren B. Davison, Bobby L. Ulich, Robert E. Parks

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 0608, Optical Alignment III; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976186
Event: O-E/LASE'86 Symposium, 1986, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The Large Optics Generator recently installed at the University of Arizona was purchased to grind symmetrical optics up to 8 meters and segments up to 15 meters in diameter and with a sag of up to 1.5 meters. To do this with accuracies of a few microns rms requires every trick in the book and leads to such farcical statements as: "You turned off the lights last night and that cost me 18 microns!" The techniques and solutions to many accuracy and stability problems are applicable to any large mechanical system that needs optical type tolerances or stability. The quantization of such items as a footstep on a two foot thick foundation and the sideways spread of a 1.7" x 3.5" steel bar when a bolt that goes through it is tightened can be potent reminders of what is needed to maintain micron accuracies. Verification of the smoothness of the large table bearing, mechanical alignment of the ways, minimization of backlash deflection and tilts, thermal time constants, characterization of the inaccuracies and computer corrections are all areas that could be of use in the design, adjustment and use of optical system. The Large Optics Generator may be unique, but its problems are not.

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Warren B. Davison, Bobby L. Ulich, and Robert E. Parks "Microns, Microns, Everywhere And All Of Them Out Of Line", Proc. SPIE 0608, Optical Alignment III, (12 May 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976186

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