Research at the Precision Engineering Center (PEC)

On this page:

Optics

Control

Fabrication

Metrology

Design

The goals of the Precision Engineering Center are: 1) to improve the understanding and capability of precision metrology, actuation, manufacturing and assembly processes; and 2) to train a new generation of engineers and scientists with the background and experience to transfer this new knowledge to industry. Because the problems related to precision engineering originate from a variety of sources, significant progress can only be achieved by applying a multidisciplinary approach; one in which the faculty, students, staff and sponsors work together to identify important research issues and find the optimum solutions. Teamwork and group interactions are a hallmark of research at the PEC and this contributes to both the quality of the research as well as the training of the graduates.

The individual projects that follow are arranged into four focus areas: actuation, control, fabrication and metrology.

Optics

Improved actuators for repeatable, accurate response in demanding environments has become a recent focus of PEC research.

Current Projects in Optics

• Fresnel Lenses for Scanning Systems

Past Projects in Optics

• Design Tools for Free-Form Optics
• Design of Reflective Three Mirror Anastigmat
  Telescope

Control

Precision control problems involve both the characterization of an electromechanical system and the selection of hardware and software to implement appropriate real-time control algorithms. As a consequence, study of each of these aspects are important research topics for the PEC.

Past Projects in Control

• Error Compensation Using Inverse Actuator Dynamics

Fabrication

High-speed milling, plastic replication and a new technique for diamond turning have been the focus of recent fabrication process research at the PEC.

Current Projects in Fabrication

• Rake Angle Variation in Diamond Turning
• Fresnel Lens Testing and Fabrication
• Material Effects and Tool Wear in Vibration-Assisted Machining
• Machining Miniature Optical Features with the Ultramill
• High-Pressure Phase Transformation in
  Machining of Silicon
• Elliptical Vibration-Assisted Maching

Past Projects in Fabrication

• Vibration-Assisted Machining for Microsystems
• Long Range Servo for Freeform Optics
• Development of High-Speed, Low Amplitude Fast Tool Servo
• Design and Fabrication of an Optical Assembly
  Test
• Modeling of Vibration and Dithering in SPDT

Metrology

The emphasis of the metrology projects has been to develop new techniques that can be used to characterize surface structure and shape as well as measure important parameters such as tool force.

Current Projects in Metrology

• Automatic Machining Process for Thin-Walled Hemispheric Shells
• Optical Probe Integration for Polaris

Past Projects in Metrology

• Metrology of Reflective Telescope Performance
• Metrology Artifact Design
• Characterizing Scribing Behavior on Single Crystal Silicon and the Effect of High Pressure Phase Transportation

Design

Projects with an emphasis on design range from design of optical systems to dynamic, mechanical systems to control systems.

Current Projects in Design

• Fresnel Lens Design Software
• Fast Long Range Actuator - FLORA