Advanced Freeform Generator

自由形状和微/纳米结构的功能表面支撑了许多下一代工程产品，如用于天文、半导体制造、航空航天和汽车领域的成像和照明系统的新型光学元件(透镜/镜子)，以及各种微/纳米结构表面自清除/防结冰产品。对于具有实质性功能优势的更具冒险精神的表面，有巨大的科学“推力”和技术“拉力”。然而，由于当前微纳米制造技术的加工可靠性和效率的限制，使这些产品大规模生产仍然具有挑战性。开发新的/改进的制造工艺和未来的自由形状和结构化表面的ISO标准的需求比以往任何时候都更加迫切。一种高度专业化和令人兴奋的新型设备--Nanotech650FGV2具有满足这种需求的潜力。它具有钻石车削和栅格飞切功能，具有快速刀具伺服和慢速滑动伺服元件，以及微细加工和磨削主轴。收购Nanotech650FGV2将显著提高哈德斯菲尔德大学精密技术中心(CPT)以及英国的能力，以产生更严酷和先进的功能表面，满足新型光学、新表面功能和超精密制造领域的需求。拟议的战略设备将使突破性研究成为突破性研究，包括用于破坏性嵌入式传感器/仪器的新型多自由形状光学材料、用于功能导向应用的新型分层图案表面以及用于复杂表面制造的GDT。该研究计划将在表面几何和纹理的复杂性、新型工程材料的新/改进的加工技术以及对结构、加工、动力学和表面功能的深入理解方面导致超精密自由曲面制造的阶段性变化。该设备的主要用途将集中于自由曲面和结构化表面的制造，以应对EPSRC未来计量中心在嵌入式计量方面的重大挑战(其中新的复杂光学对于小型传感器/仪器至关重要，例如，单个光学部件中的多个自由曲面允许同时校正传感器/仪器中的光像差)和中心的功能表面平台研究计划(例如，分级结构表面将允许将多种功能合并到单个表面形态中)。它还将被广泛用于CPT在机技术开发、表面完整性、工具、在线测量和过程控制方面的研究。为了确保最大限度的使用，这台机器将作为合作研究项目的研究平台，并通过在线预订系统作为短期计划(通常为1-3天)“泵启动”实验的演示设施。此外，Nanotech650FGV2的能力将为CPT探索前沿技术开辟一条新的途径，并允许快速制作原型/开发新的光学设备和子系统。来自该设备的原型将通过英国工业计量中心迅速由英国合作伙伴进行演示和验证，例如Catapult中心和技术开发商、行业最终用户。所创造的知识将有助于制定国家和国际标准，以快速支持新的高附加值产品的生产，如紧凑型/最小化微型目标系统和光谱仪器，用于英国智能制造中更广泛的嵌入式计量应用。Nanotech650Gv2支持的研究直接与英国政府的产业战略和EPSRC制造业未来主题保持一致，以支持高价值制造业，并在未来10-50年内产生重大经济影响。

Freeform and micro/nano-structured functional surfaces underpin many next generation engineering products like novel optics (lenses/mirrors) used in astronomy, semiconductor manufacture, imaging and illumination systems in aerospace and automotive sectors, as well as various micro/nano-structured surface-enabled self-clearing/anti-icing products. There is a huge scientific 'push' and technology 'pull' for more adventurous surfaces with substantial functional advantages. However, due to the limitation of machining reliability and efficiency of current micro- and nano-manufacturing technologies, it remains challenging to make these products at a high-volume production scale. The need for the development of novel/improved manufacturing processes and future ISO standards for freeform and structured surfaces is now more urgent than ever.A new, highly specialised, and exciting piece of equipment, the Nanotech650FGV2, has the potential to address this need. It possesses diamond turning and raster fly-cutting functions, fast-tool-servo and slow slide servo elements, and micro milling and grinding spindles. The acquisition of a Nanotech650FGV2 would significantly enhance the University of Huddersfield's Centre for Precision Technologies' (CPT's), and indeed the UK's, capability to generate more severe and advanced functional surfaces feeding into areas of novel optics, new surface functionalities and ultra-precision manufacture.The proposed strategic equipment will enable breakthrough research on novel multi-freeform optics for disruptive embedded sensor/instruments, novel hierarchical patterned surfaces for functional orientated applications and GDT for complex surface manufacturing. The research programme will lead to a step-change in ultra-precision freeform manufacturing in terms of complexity of surface geometry and texture, new/improved machining technology on novel engineering materials, and in-depth understanding of structure, processing, dynamics and surface functionalities.The major usage of the equipment will focus on the manufacturing of freeform and structured surfaces to address the EPSRC Future Metrology Hub's Grand Challenges in embedded metrology (where new complex optics are critical for miniaturised sensors/instruments, for example, multiple freeform surfaces in a single optical component allow simultaneous correction of light aberrations in sensors/instruments) and the Hub's Platform Research Programme in functional surfaces (for example, hierarchical structured surfaces will allow incorporation of multiple functions into a single surface morphology). It will also be widely used for CPT's research in on-machine technology development, surface integrity, tooling, in-line measurement and process control. To ensure maximum usage, the machine will be offered as a research platform for collaborative research projects, and as a demonstrator facility for short programmes (typically 1-3 days) of "pump-priming" experiments through an online booking system.Furthermore, the capability of the Nanotech650FGV2 will open a new avenue for CPT to explore frontier technologies and allow fast prototyping/development of novel optical devices and subsystems. Prototypes derived from this equipment will be quickly demonstrated and validated by UK partners, e.g. Catapult centres and technology developers, industry end-users, through the Metrology Hub to UK industry. The knowledge created will help to develop national and international standards to rapidly support production of new high added value products like compact/minimized micro-objective systems and spectra instruments for wider embedded metrology applications in UK smart manufacturing. The research enabled by the Nanotech650Gv2 directly aligns with the UK Government's Industrial Strategy and EPSRC Manufacturing the Future theme to support high value manufacturing and deliver significant economic impact in the next 10-50 years.