Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group

Evaluation of fiber-based tools for glass polishing using experimental and computational approaches

Abstract

Polymeric pad or pitch-based tools combined with loose abrasive slurries are typically used in the polishing of optical materials. In this paper, the potential of fiber-based tools to both remove material and provide high quality surface finishes on BK7 glass is explored. The potential advantage of fiber-based tools over traditional tools is their inherent compliance, which could accommodate varying workpiece surface curvatures as found in aspheres and freeforms. To evaluate the new tools, both experimental and finite element (FE) modeling approaches were taken. A FE model consisting of a single fiber engaged with the workpiece surface was used to estimate the shape and magnitude of the pressure distribution exerted by the fiber on the workpiece surface. Two different tool configurations, yielding two different Fes, predicted pressure distributions, were used to polish BK7 samples, and the material removal profiles were interferometrically measured. The resulting profiles and the predicted pressure distributions share the same v-shape. While differences in scale exist between the experimental and FE-predicted profiles, the tool generating higher material removal had the greater predicted pressure distribution, thus demonstrating the ability of the FE model to provide insights into tool design. Additional testing was conducted to determine if the tool’s removal rate can be predicted by Preston’s equation. Initial results indicate the equation is valid within the range of parameters tested. The surface roughness of BK7 samples processed by this tool was measured and some deterioration on the Sq value was noted; the surface roughness increased from 1.89 to 3.66 nm Sq. Over several hours of continuous use, the load applied by the fibers decays in a repeatable manner, and little wear was observed on the fibers after 5.33 h of polishing.

© 2016 Optical Society of America

Full Article  |  PDF Article
More Like This
Fiber-based tools: material removal and mid-spatial frequency error reduction

Hossein Shahinian, Mohammed Hassan, Harish Cherukuri, and Brigid A. Mullany
Appl. Opt. 56(29) 8266-8274 (2017)

Mechanisms influencing and prediction of tool influence function spots during hemispherical sub-aperture tool polishing on fused silica

T. Suratwala, J. Menapace, R. Steele, L. Wong, G. Tham, N. Ray, B. Bauman, M. Gregory, and T. Hordin
Appl. Opt. 60(1) 201-214 (2021)

Curvature effect-based modeling and experimentation of the material removal in polishing optical surfaces using a flexible ball-end tool

Chenchun Shi, Chunjin Wang, Chi Fai Cheung, Zili Zhang, Ze Li, Lai Ting Ho, Weijie Deng, and Xuejun Zhang
Opt. Express 30(14) 24611-24638 (2022)

Cited By

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Figures (16)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Tables (7)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article tables are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Equations (2)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Equations are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved