Manufacturing Sciences and Technology at the Center for Optics Manufacturing

Abstract

Much of the COM's success stems from its regional manufacturing science and technology development collaboration. The common mission of this collaboration is to gain a complete understanding of the science of optical finishing and the manufacture of high precision optical components. The manufacturing sciences program extends successful existing programs, tapping into the expertise of some of the finest research institutions in the country. The COM is leveraging the many years of experience and expertise of the premier researchers in the field of precision machining, materials science, and optics manufacturing in the United States. The work encompasses a wide range of technical areas, and is focused on the exploration of the complex interactions between feeds, speeds, tool properties, environmental conditions, and machine characteristics for a wide range of brittle materials. To take full advantage of a CIM environment, an expansive database must be generated to enable real time rule based process control for the next generation of less expensive, more efficient machine tools.