Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Convergent Polishing: A Simple, Rapid, Full Aperture Polishing Process of High Quality Optical Flats & Spheres
Published on: December 1, 2014
Research on edge-control methods in CNC polishing
Guoyu Yu1, David Walker1,2,3, Hongyu Li1,4
11National Facility for Ultra Precision Surfaces, OpTIC Centre, University of Huddersfield, St. Asaph Business Park, Ffordd William Morgan, North Wales, St Asaph, LL17 0JD UK.
Background:
We have developed edge-control for the Precessions TM process suitable for fast fabrication of large mirror segments, and other applications sensitive to edge mis-figure. This has been applied to processing of European extremely large telescope (E-ELT) prototype mirror-segments, meeting the specification on maximum edge mis-figure. However we have observed residuals that have proved impossible to correct with this approach, being in part the legacy of asymmetries in the input edge-profiles.
Methods:
We have therefore compared different proposed methods experimentally and theoretically and report here on a new edge-rectification step, which operates locally on edges, does not disturb the completed bulk area.
Results:
A new toolpath has been developed and experiments have been carried out to demonstrate that local edge rectification can be carried out.
Conclusions:
With this method, the residue error on edges can be removed separately and has potential to reduce total process time.
