Advanced Freeform Generator

自由形状和微/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（透镜/镜子），以及各种微/纳米结构的表面自清/防冰产品。有一个巨大的科学“推动”和技术“拉动”更冒险的表面具有实质性的功能优势。然而，由于目前微纳米制造技术的加工可靠性和效率的限制，这些产品的大批量生产规模仍然是一个挑战。现在比以往任何时候都更加迫切需要开发新的/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。一种新的、高度专业化的、令人兴奋的设备，Nanotech650FGV2，有可能满足这一需求。它具有金刚石车削和栅格飞切功能，快速刀具伺服和慢滑伺服元件，微铣削和磨削主轴。Nanotech650FGV2的收购将显著增强哈德斯菲尔德大学精密技术中心（CPT），实际上是英国的能力，以产生更严格和先进的功能表面，为新型光学，新表面功能和超精密制造领域提供支持。拟议的战略设备将使突破性研究能够用于破坏性嵌入式传感器/仪器的新型多自由曲面光学，用于功能导向应用的新型分层图案表面和用于复杂表面制造的GDT。该研究计划将导致超精密自由曲面制造在表面几何和纹理的复杂性，新的/改进的新型工程材料的加工技术，以及对结构，加工，动力学和表面功能的深入理解方面的阶跃变化。该设备的主要用途将集中在自由曲面和结构化表面的制造上，以解决EPSRC未来计量中心在嵌入式计量方面的重大挑战（其中，新型复杂光学器件对小型化传感器/仪器至关重要，例如，单个光学元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）和中心的平台研究计划在功能表面(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)。它还将广泛应用于CPT在机上技术开发、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利用，该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项目（通常为1-3天）“泵启动”实验的示范设施。此外，Nanotech650FGV2的能力将为CPT探索前沿技术开辟新的途径，并允许快速原型/开发新型光学器件和子系统。该设备的原型将由英国合作伙伴，例如弹射中心和技术开发商，行业最终用户，通过计量中心向英国工业快速演示和验证。所创造的知识将有助于制定国家和国际标准，以快速支持新型高附加值产品的生产，如紧凑型/最小化微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。Nanotech650Gv2支持的研究与英国政府的工业战略和EPSRC制造业未来主题直接一致，以支持高价值制造业，并在未来10-50年内产生重大的经济影响。

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.