Long-stroke fast tool servo and a tool setting method for freeform optics fabrication

Abstract

Diamond turning assisted by fast tool servo is of high efficiency for the fabrication of freeform optics. This paper describes a long-stroke fast tool servo to obtain a large-amplitude tool motion. It has the advantage of low cost and higher stiffness and natural frequency than other flexure-based long-stroke fast tool servo systems. The fast tool servo is actuated by a voice coil motor and guided by a flexure-hinge structure. Open-loop and close-loop control tests are conducted on the testing platform. While fast tool servo system is an additional motion axis for a diamond turning machine, a tool center adjustment method is described to confirm tool center position in the machine tool coordinate system when the fast tool servo system is fixed on the diamond turning machine. Last, a sinusoidal surface is machined and the results demonstrate that the tool adjustment method is efficient and precise for a flexure-based fast tool servo system, and the fast tool servo system works well on the fabrication of freeform optics.