ATM Spincast Analysis of construction and mediums

[Peter C Chen <chen@stars.gsfc.nasa.gov>]

> My final analysis is that spincasting is beyond my abilities<
   Don't give up so easily!
   For inspiration, see article by Paul Archibald in Modern Plastics,
August 1957, p 116-117.  There is a picture of a 36" f/1 epoxy mirror made
by spincasting.  It looks pretty darn good.
   The article addresses the various points raised in the post.  The only
obstacle that they had not been able to overcome was vibration in the
machinery which caused micron high ripples in the surface.  As the mercury
mirror people have shown, vibration is not a problem with modern machinery
and control systems - and mercury is heck a lot more vibration  sensitive
than epoxy!
   Pete Augello and I are playing around with his air bearing turntable at
NASA Goddard.  We'll keep the community posted on our progress in
spincasting epoxy mirrors.

Cheers,
Peter C. Chen