The ultra-precision grinding center is equipped with a hydrostatic machine base from Hyprostatik Schönfeld.
The device is designed for the flexible and universal production of spherical and aspherical optical components.
High-quality components enable precise pre-grinding and fine grinding of spherical and aspherical lenses.
Hyprostatik Schönfeld (Germany), provider of hydrostatic components, has developed a high-precision hydrostatic machine base for an ultra-precision grinding center for Optotech. The machine platform forms the heart of the system and enables a previously unattainable combination of dimensional accuracy, dynamics, and surface quality in the ultra-precision grinding of optical surfaces, the company reported.
The machine base is a solid granite bed, which creates ideal conditions for ultra-precision machining due to its thermal stability and stress-free high precision. A cross slide with hydrostatic guide shoes moves on top, performing horizontal movements in the X and Y directions. The axes are driven by linear motors with high precision linear scales, enabling backlash-free, highly dynamic precise positioning.
The vertical hydrostatic guided Z-axis in RAM design is mounted at the front of the granite bed. It is driven by a hydrostatic screw drive with hydrostatic bearing and torque motor.
"This allows higher dynamic and precision in a more compact design than using linear motor. A weight balance is not necessary," noted a company spokesperson.
The rigid construction of the machine and the finishing of all relevant components on hydrostatic grinding machines result in straightness of movement and positioning accuracy that is several times better than comparable systems with roller guides, the company reported.
The slides float friction-free on hydrostatic pockets. This enables travel steps of less than 0.1 µm and a reversal play of less than 0.1 µm. Due to the contactless guidance, the axes operate completely wear-free and maintain their accuracy consistently over many years, according to the company.
Another advantage of hydrostatic guidance is its damping properties. This increases path accuracy, especially at high dynamics, and has a direct positive effect on the achievable surface quality of the workpieces. High accelerations also enable short machining times with increased precision.
A hydrostatic workpiece spindle is mounted above the vertical axis. The axial and radial runout quality is less than 0.1 µm. This running quality is directly transferred to the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the machined optical components.
"The hydrostatic grinding spindle with runout less than 0.1 µm and balance quality 10x better than G0,4 grinds brittle and hard material with much reduced surface damage, which reduce polishing time drastically," concluded the spokesperson.
For more information contact:
Hyprostatik Schönfeld
info@hyprostatik.de
www.hyprostatik.de