History

2005 - Large optical quality precision surfaces can be manufactured in a variety of ways. The adjacent picture shows a 700mm diameter mirror mould being diamond turned on LDTM at Cranfield Precision. The surface will be replicated many times to produce elements of the H.E.S.S. Phase II telescope.

A 1-metre mirror segment manufactured using traditional methods to nanometric levels of precision can take several months to complete. The timescale for machining hundreds of segments for large telescopes would be long even by the standards normally encountered in astronomy research programmes. Cranfield Precision has collaborated with University College London, Cranfield University, Zeeko, RAPT Industries, OpTic Technium and UKATC to establish a manufacturing chain that will reduce significantly the time taken to complete mirror segments. The concept development, design & manufacture of the BoX™ & (Big OptiX) machine has used many of the innovative machine design principles developed for earlier CP machines including self compensating linear hydrostatics and the use of polymer concrete. The over-riding design principles of low moving mass and high stiffness have been employed to ensure minimum subsurface damage during machining. Subsequent polishing and figuring times will, as a consequence, be much shorter.

Cranfield Precision operates to ISO9001 quality standard and is accredited by Lloyds Quality Register.

A Division of Cinetic Landis Ltd.
Registered in England
Registration Number 05577045
Registered Office: Cross Hills, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 7SD