Related papers: 3D printing for astronomical mirrors
In this paper we are exploring the possibilities of 3D printing in the fabrication of mirrors for astronomy. Taking the advantages of 3D printing to solve the existing problems caused by traditional manufacturing, two proof-of-concept…
Exoplanet imaging requires super polished off-axis parabolas (OAP) with the utmost surface quality. In this paper we describe an innovative manufacturing process combining 3D printing and stress polishing, to create a warping harness…
Additive manufacturing (AM; 3D printing) has clear benefits in the production of lightweight mirrors for astronomy: it can create optimised lightweight structures and combine multiple components into one. New capabilities in AM ceramics,…
3D printing allows rapid fabrication of complex objects from digital designs. One 3D-printing process, direct laser writing, polymerises a light-sensitive material by steering a focused laser beam through the shape of the object to be…
Efficient optimization of topology and raster angle has shown unprecedented enhancements in the mechanical properties of 3D printed materials. Topology optimization helps reduce the waste of raw material in the fabrication of 3D printed…
3D print is a recently developed technique, for single-unit production, and for structures that have been impossible to build previously. The current work presents a method to 3D print polymer bonded isotropic hard magnets with a low-cost,…
This article presents a new and individual way to generate opto-mechanical components by Additive Manufacturing, embedded in an established process chain for the fabrication of metal optics. The freedom of design offered by additive…
3D printing technologies are currently enabling the fabrication of objects with complex architectures and tailored properties. In such framework, the production of 3D optical structures, which are typically based on optical transparent…
Additive manufacturing (AM; 3D Printing), a process which creates a part layer-by-layer, has the potential to improve upon conventional lightweight mirror manufacturing techniques, including subtractive (milling), formative (casting) and…
This study proposes a new way to manufacture large lightweight aspherics for space telescopes using Stress Mirror Polishing (SMP). This technique is well known to allow reaching high quality optical surfaces in a minimum time period, thanks…
The possibility of producing polymer-bonded magnets with the aid of additive processes, such as 3D printing, opens up a multitude of new areas of application. Almost any structures and prototypes can be produced cost-effectively in small…
Mass production of augmented reality (AR) waveguides has been challenging due to the intricate nature of the fabrication technique and the high precision required for its optical characteristics. In this paper, we have presented a novel and…
Additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, offers unparalleled opportunities for rapid prototyping of complex three-dimensional objects, but typically requires simultaneous building of solid supports to minimize deformation and ensure…
X-ray mirror fabrication for astronomy is challenging; this is due to the Wolter I optical geometry and the tight tolerances on roughness and form error to enable accurate and efficient X-ray reflection. The performance of an X-ray mirror,…
In the industrial practice, additive manufacturing processes are often followed by post-processing operations such as subtractive machining, milling, etc. to achieve the desired surface quality and dimensional accuracy. Hence, a given part…
Layered manufacturing inherently suffers from staircase defects along surfaces that are gently slopped with respect to the build direction. Reducing the slice thickness improves the situation but never resolves it completely as flat layers…
Additive manufacturing (AM; 3D printing) in aluminium using laser powder bed fusion provides a new design space for lightweight mirror production. Printing layer-by-layer enables the use of intricate lattices for mass reduction, as well as…
The 3D printing technology based on digital light processing (DLP) has highlighted its powerful manufacturing capabilities for optical components. However, the printing structure obtained by DLP based down projection printing is easily…
3D and 4D printing are cutting-edge technologies for precise and expedited manufacturing of objects ranging from plastic to metal. Recent advances in 3D and 4D printing technologies in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery enable dentists to…
The correction of transcranial focused ultrasound aberrations is a relevant topic for enhancing various non-invasive medical treatments. Nowadays, the most widely accepted method to improve focusing is the emission through multi-element…