Aspheric optics play a key role in high-tech and ensuring their precision requires advanced manufacturing and vibration control technologies.
Widely used in modern optical systems, aspheric optics include AR/VR headsets, surveillance systems, and semiconductor applications, to reduce size, weight, and cost.
To achieve the desired level of performance, strict control in the machining and metrology of the optics is required.
To create precision spheres, one of the one of the industrial instruments used is a single-point diamond turning lathe, such as those made by Precitech in Keene, NH.
Precitech goes to considerable lengths to control environmental conditions to prevent interference with the production of high-quality components. This includes characteristics like thermal drift and floor vibration.
Precitech uses TMC isolators to ensure the best performance of its instruments, preventing floor vibrations from interfering with results.
Similarly, when it comes to testing these optics, ZYGO uses TMC vibration isolation systems. ZYGO uses the Gimbal Piston Pneumatic Isolator as their TMC solution for the new Verifire™ Asphere+ interferometer.
Their isolation system is designed and manufactured in Peabody, Massachusetts, at TMC’s vertically integrated manufacturing headquarters.
Image Credit: Zygo
The Verifire™ Asphere+ metrology instrument measures deviation from design and surface form of aspheric-shaped optics. The system has a high-resolution Fizeau interferometer for surface characterization and a linear displacement interferometer for precise monitoring of the component stage's Z-axis motion.
The Verifire™ Asphere+, can deliver accurate metrology on the production floor thanks to a combination of interferometric technologies and a stable platform. This allows the user to get immediate feedback without disrupting the flow of production, without having to move to a metrology lab.
TMC designed the Verifire Asphere+ vibration isolation system specifically for this purpose.
The system has four legs to provide maximum stability. However, as the front of the system must be accessible to load and unload parts, the upper half of the vibration isolation system only has three supports.
This design makes the front of the system easily accessible. Additionally, this design allows for a lower center of gravity, improving vibration isolation.
Image Credit: Zygo
Each pneumatic leg of the Verifire Asphere+ has a floating height controlled by a mechanical control valve.
TMC has designed the support structure to attach to the Verifire Asphere+ high up on the machine, lowering its center of gravity and improving the overall stability and vibration isolation of the system.
Another important feature of the vibration isolation platform is the presence of casters and leveling feet.
While these may appear to be minor features, they play an important role in moving the system around and giving stability. The casters can be deployed first to transfer the system to its intended location, eliminating the requirement for a fork truck.
Once in their final position, the leveling feet are used to even out any discrepancies in the floor. The casters are pushed up so that they no longer contact the floor.
TMC has years of experience installing and rigging user-friendly designs like these, enabling them to develop this fully optimized design.
Original Equipment manufacturers like ZYGO are also experts in their field. ZYGO creates the world's best non-contact metrology systems.
Creating some of the best vibration control solutions, TMC has been the world leader in equipment manufacturing for over 50 years.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by TMC Vibration Control.
For more information on this source, please visit TMC.