Abstract

The advanced Computer Controlled Optical Surfacing (CCOS) technologies currently employed by Itek are the result of 20 years of process optimization and systems development. The initial implementation of CCOS was composed of crude, internally engineered, three-axis machines and loosely coupled mainframe and mini-computers. Five-axis CNC machines were introduced in the mid-1980s and Cincinnati Milacron Robots, introduced over the past three years, have pushed the system to yet a higher level of performance. The six degrees of freedom used by the robots have increased positioning control and nearly eliminated machining constraints imposed by complex optical geometries. Breakthroughs in advanced fabrication technology allow high predictability in each phase of production. The fabrication process consists of clearing subsurface damage by stock removal combined with figuring cycles to take the optical component from rough aspheric generating to final inspection. The number of manufacturing days needed to complete each stage are calculated by taking into account removal rates specific to each phase, and known efficiency and process convergency. This paper discusses the implementation of robotics, algorithms, and systems integral to the advancements of CCOS technology, as well as the mathematical projections used to provide accurate methods of scheduling manufacturing costs and deadlines.

© 1990 Optical Society of America