Feasibility of a new method to create complex forms on precision surfaces

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Precision surface grinding is a standard but expensive way to generate different complex surface shapes into common engineering materials such as glasses and metals. We propose to bridge the gap between surface grinding and polishing to develop a process capable of delivering these forms using a computer controlled polishing machine and a novel ‘grolishing’ process utilising more flexible and lower cost tools. This will provide cost and time benefits in the production of optical and mechanical surfaces required by todays engineering designs. The process may lead to an increase in the production and use of difficult-to-make surface shapes that give many advantages such as lower cost, lighter weight and increased performance. The process could be of particular value in the precision optics industry and could induce a step change in the way in which precision optical components are made and specified by both large and small optical shops specialising in ultra-high precision.