Ultra-Precision Machining of Off-Axis Convex Ellipsoidal Surface Using Two Different Accurate Spiral Tool Paths

Abstract

The off-axis parabolic mirror plays more and more important role in high-tech areas since the advantages of reducing space and improving the quality of imaging. Two ultra-precision manufacturing methods are often applied to machining the off-axis ellipsoidal mirror, which one is revolving the cylindrical blank around the axis of ellipsoidal surface and another one is revolving around the axis of cylindrical surface. But which machining method can produce a better result has no rounded comparisons and analysis according to previous research. In this paper, the tool path generation method is presented and the corresponding tool paths of each manufacturing method for the off-axis ellipsoidal mirror are calculated respectively. The motion characteristics are also analyzed and compared correspondingly. Finally, the effects of diamond tool parameters are further analyzed in theory to avoid the tool interference. The studies processed in this paper provide a theoretical basis of choosing the ultra-precision manufacturing method for the off-axis ellipsoidal mirror and can improve the efficiency and precision of processing.