Re: ATM 18-point cell design software

[Mark Suchting <masuch@dap.CSIRO.AU>]

On Mon, 2 Sep 1996, Scarf, Michael MD wrote:

> This brings to mind a great article written by
> a chap from Japan in Sky & Telescope a couple months back.
> He actually worked out the Finite Element Analysis involved
> for optimally positioning the supports for flotation cells.

If I recall this article there was also some simple formulae for
evaluating the quality of a given support system and simple expressions
for the various dimentions for an 18 point, negating the need to run a
computer program. 

I remember noting that you could go as large as 22 inches or so in 1 inch 
thick glass and still have a Rayleigh limited support with an 18  point 
float. Aquiring a thin mirror of this quality to support would be more the 
problem....

regards

Mark