Re: [ATM] Use of bearings in (static) mirror cells

["Don Clement" <clement.focuser@verizon.net>]

Hi Olivier,

>From Olivier Biot:
>
> That was what I was initially thinking. Maybe we can influence the
geometry
> of this RTV (AKA Silicone) "blob", and shape it like an old circus toy
named
> "diabolo", or even a cooling tower of a power plant. I thought that, if I
am
> able to narrow the RTV blob in the middle, then it would flex much easier.
> Maybe this complexity is not needed, but...
>

I was thinking along the same lines. If  however, sufficient rigidity in the
desired direction(s) cannot be obtained with RTV geometry alone, then a
solid flexure could be machined directly into a metal mirror cell or cast
into a composite cell. I have made many types of solid machined flexures. A
good example is the solid machined flexure is one that is used on all my new
focusers to "float" the focus knob assembly and assure that only an axial
force is applied between the focuser plates. This flexure is machined from
1.5" diameter 6061-T6 aluminum rod and allows for small tip-tilt movements,
but is very rigid in the axial direction. I am sure that similar  flexures
could be machined directly into a mirror cell. RTV could then be used as a
thin layer to bond the mirror to the solid machined flexure supports.



Don Clement

Running Springs, California

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