THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A LARGE ULTRA-PRECISION CNC DIAMOND TURNING MACHINE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Cranfield Unit for Precision Engineering (CUPE) specializes in the design, development, and construction of advanced, high precision CNC machines of many types. Two years ago, the British Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC) commissioned CUPE to develop and commission an ultra-precision CNC diamond turning machine for the manufacture of X-ray telescope mirrors up to 1400 mm in diameter and 600 mm in axial length. This vertical axis machine incorporates many novel design and manufacturing features. This paper describes the design and manufacturing philosophies and techniques used in bringing it to its present successful level of development.