Methods for the precise locating and forming of arrays of curved features into a workpiece
| DWPI Title: Array of precisely and non kinematically located curved features i.e. lenslet, forming method, involves machining curved feature into surface of workpiece centered at location, where location is known by action of grooves |
| Abstract: Methods for manufacturing high precision arrays of curved features (e.g. lenses) in the surface of a workpiece are described utilizing orthogonal sets of inter-fitting locating grooves to mate a workpiece to a workpiece holder mounted to the spindle face of a rotating machine tool. The matching inter-fitting groove sets in the workpiece and the chuck allow precisely and non-kinematically indexing the workpiece to locations defined in two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the turning axis of the machine tool. At each location on the workpiece a curved feature can then be on-center machined to create arrays of curved features on the workpiece. The averaging effect of the corresponding sets of inter-fitting grooves provide for precise repeatability in determining, the relative locations of the centers of each of the curved features in an array of curved features. |
| Use: Method of forming an array of precisely and non kinematically located curved features i.e. lenslet, in a surface of a workpiece i.e. substrate (claimed). |
| Advantage: The method reliably and precisely forms the array of precisely and non kinematically located curved features in the surface of the workpiece. |
| Novelty: The method involves rotating a workpiece i.e. substrate, and a workpiece holder (100) about an axis of rotation, and machining a curved feature (108) into a surface of the workpiece centered at a reference location. Workpiece is re-positioned on the holder, such that a set of inter-fitting locating grooves (106a-106d) cause the axis of rotation to pass through a next location on the surface of the workpiece. Additional curved feature is machined into the surface of the workpiece centered at the next location, where the next location is known by the action of the grooves. |
| Filed: 11/28/2007 |
| Application Number: US2007946077A |
| Tech ID: SD 10801.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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