Advanced Freeform Generator

自由形态和微/纳米结构的功能表面支撑着许多下一代工程产品，如用于天文学、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器件（透镜/镜子），以及各种微/纳米结构的表面使能自清洁/防结冰产品。有一个巨大的科学'推动'和技术'拉'更冒险的表面与实质性的功能优势。然而，由于当前微米和纳米制造技术的加工可靠性和效率的限制，以大批量生产规模制造这些产品仍然具有挑战性。现在，对自由曲面和结构化曲面的新型/改进型制造工艺和未来ISO标准的开发需求比以往任何时候都更加迫切。一种新型、高度专业化和令人兴奋的设备Nanotech 650 FGV 2有可能满足这一需求。它具有金刚石车削和光栅飞切功能，快速刀具伺服和慢速滑动伺服元件，以及微型铣削和磨削主轴。收购Nanotech 650 FGV 2将显著增强哈德斯菲尔德大学精密技术中心（CPT）以及英国的能力，以产生更严格和先进的功能表面，为新型光学领域提供支持。新的表面功能和超精密制造。拟议的战略设备将使突破性的研究新型多自由曲面光学破坏性嵌入式传感器/工具，新颖的层次图案化表面的功能为导向的应用和GDT复杂的表面制造。该研究计划将导致超精密自由曲面制造在表面几何形状和纹理的复杂性，新型/改进的新型工程材料加工技术以及对结构，加工，该设备的主要用途将集中在自由曲面和结构曲面的制造上，以应对EPSRC未来计量中心的重大挑战。在嵌入式计量领域（新的复杂光学器件对于集成传感器/仪器至关重要，例如，单个光学组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）和功能表面的中心平台研究计划（例如，分层结构表面将允许将多个功能合并到单个表面形态中）。它还将广泛用于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。为确保最大限度地利用这台机器，它将作为合作研究项目的研究平台，并作为短期项目的演示设施。（通常1-3天）的“泵启动”实验。此外，Nanotech 650 FGV 2的能力将为CPT探索前沿技术开辟一条新的途径，并允许快速原型制作。开发新型光学器件和子系统。从该设备衍生的原型将通过英国计量中心迅速由英国合作伙伴进行演示和验证，例如弹射器中心和技术开发人员，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/最小化的微型物镜系统和光谱仪器，用于英国智能制造中更广泛的嵌入式计量应用。Nanotech 650 Gv 2支持的研究直接符合英国政府的工业战略和EPSRC制造未来主题，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.