How to make Very Flat Optical Surfaces on Glass

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  • Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
  • The video shows (hands on) how a nanometer level flat optical surface can be made. It first discusses the principle of the continuous pitch polisher, also known as the planetary polisher or optical lap master.
    00:00 Intro of flat surface creation / polishing
    00:37 Optical flatness specs compared to general machining results
    01:04 Angular machine / continuous pitch polisher explained
    07:24 Simplified version of the continuous pitch polisher
    10:15 CNC polishing machine construction explained
    11:16 Example of polishing 3 objects flat on a plate
    In addition, I discuss my personal method to make flat optics which is a modified / simplified version of the continuous pitch polisher.
    This video contains short clips of other videos showing similar continuous pitch polishers in action.
    Clips at 1:16min and 5:16 min were displayed by courtesy of Sydor Optics:
    www.sydor.com/ Check out their company video at:
    • Sydor Optics (Overview)
    Clip at 1:20 taken from Gijs Loning's video (OpPad) on his visit to the Zeiss Factory:
    • Zeiss
    (very nice and informative video, Dutch spoken)
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 497

  • @mccallan2798
    @mccallan2798 3 роки тому +636

    I've got absolutely no idea why this video was recommended but I'm so glad it was.
    Fascinating. Well done.

    • @robotslug
      @robotslug 3 роки тому +6

      Same

    • @thekeyfox
      @thekeyfox 3 роки тому +5

      Same

    • @BootyYeeter
      @BootyYeeter 3 роки тому +3

      Same

    • @88njtrigg88
      @88njtrigg88 3 роки тому +5

      It's because your subliminally interested in light & optics.

    • @mcpozzm6321
      @mcpozzm6321 3 роки тому +2

      It started when I clicked on a bartender showing how to make optically clear ice cubes for drinks, next day this was in my feed.

  • @TheWtfnonamez
    @TheWtfnonamez 3 роки тому +450

    Totally counterintuitive. I've done a fair bit of metalwork sanding and polishing, so I naturally assumed that optical polishing would be similar, only using something harder and flatter to grind the surface. It never occurred to me that the rotational grinding process would use something ductile, yet get better results. Thank you very much for the excellent explanation.

    • @stanrogers5613
      @stanrogers5613 3 роки тому +37

      In metalworking terms, it would be very similar to using an aluminum, copper, or tin lap (as in watchmaker's "black polishing"). You want your lap to be softer than the material to be cut. Your lap becomes a matrix to hold the abrasive particles in place, and the cutting happens on the material that can't just grab and hold the abrasive. (Tin, by the way, gives absolutely amazing results when polishing steel. It's just _really_ stringy to machine when you're initially making the lap. Save it for your finest - sub-micron - grits.)

    • @stc2828
      @stc2828 3 роки тому +13

      You polish silverware with fine cloth which is softer than silver. If you use sandpaper the result would be terrible.

    • @gvidas1338
      @gvidas1338 3 роки тому +2

      Very informative yet old video on lapping metal parts by rotation. Check this: ua-cam.com/video/fnoVV-RWIWY/v-deo.html It vey clearly explains "how it's made".

    • @sakelaine2953
      @sakelaine2953 3 роки тому +1

      @@gvidas1338 This is great, thanks!

    • @matter9
      @matter9 2 роки тому +5

      I feel there’s a general misconception when it comes to lapping a polishing that is a result of focusing on the lap material. As the first comment responder noted the lap only hold the cutting media. There are three fundamental rules for cutting to occur, though I only usually remember two. The important one here is that the cutting “tool” (in this case lapping or polishing compound) MUST be harder that the workpiece. The second is that there must be relative motion. The third escapes me.
      But in either case it is not the lap that cuts the work piece but the embedded abrasive. Apologies for the lecture comment but lapping and polishing seem to be no different fundamentally than any other metal removal process; hard removes soft.
      In the case of polishing silverware presumably there is some residual polishing compound on the cloth that is the effective mechanism for removing the oxide layer.
      Also, if I’m glaringly wrong please correct me. 👍
      Edited for autocorrect errors.

  • @frog8220
    @frog8220 3 роки тому +50

    How did I end up watching 12min of "how to polish something to the nm scale?" But you explained it so well that I understood it without any previous experience in polishing glass or anything for that matter

    • @Kargoneth
      @Kargoneth 4 місяці тому +1

      It's rather hypnotic.

  • @hydrocarbon8272
    @hydrocarbon8272 4 роки тому +156

    Flat-out the best vid on making flat optical surfaces! Clearly thought out well, I couldn't pitch in any criticism. It's almost like we're on the same wavelength.

    • @digitalradiohacker
      @digitalradiohacker 3 роки тому +13

      What a cheerfully bright comment! I for one found the video very illuminating, and it seemed to polish out all the rough spots in my dull and hazy knowledge. You could say that it expanded my bandwidth....

    • @yashsvidixit7169
      @yashsvidixit7169 3 роки тому +6

      @@digitalradiohacker makes me wanna leave my daily grind and do something else

    • @bellowphone
      @bellowphone 3 роки тому +5

      Micronically inquisitive mind lapped up the precision explanations.

    • @Asdayasman
      @Asdayasman 3 роки тому

      If y'all don't cease with immediacy I'm gonna jump into a woodchipper.

    • @DocBree13
      @DocBree13 2 роки тому

      😂

  • @noanyobiseniss7462
    @noanyobiseniss7462 2 роки тому +17

    The true test of whether someone has mastered a field is their ability to explain it to the uninitiated in a clear and concise manner, you sir are a credit to the field.

  • @TickyTack23
    @TickyTack23 3 роки тому +60

    This is really good, so well detailed. It seems over the years there has been a lot of demonstrations of optical grinding/lapping, lots of "recipes" so to speak, without any detailed explanation as to why it works. I'm coming out of this with a deeper understanding of the process, only took 12 years, but better late than never!

  • @tombesson7293
    @tombesson7293 3 роки тому +267

    This video reminds me of the optician who fell into a lens grinder and made a spectacle of himself.

    • @MikeWiggins1235711
      @MikeWiggins1235711 3 роки тому +69

      That's not as bad as the glass blower who accidentally inhaled and now has a pane in his chest.

    • @yashsvidixit7169
      @yashsvidixit7169 3 роки тому +50

      @@MikeWiggins1235711 Still not as bad as that chef who, while cooking some some chicken broth, fell into the pot and made a laughing stock of himself.

    • @Cynthia_Cantrell
      @Cynthia_Cantrell 3 роки тому +7

      Clearly, I didn't see that coming.

    • @tombesson7293
      @tombesson7293 3 роки тому +34

      @@Cynthia_Cantrell Did you hear about the guy who wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger and bigger, then it hit him.

    • @user-hv6wb5gk8p
      @user-hv6wb5gk8p 3 роки тому +14

      Reminds me of the lab technician who spilled some acid on himself. Really left him fuming.

  • @tomtang2639
    @tomtang2639 3 роки тому +27

    jeez why didnt youtube algorithm recommend this to me earlier??? Its fascinating!!

  • @Dukey8668
    @Dukey8668 4 роки тому +75

    I have been interested in optical engineering for a long time now and yours is the first channel I have seen that covers it well. So thank you for making such excellent videos.

  • @stickyfox
    @stickyfox 3 роки тому +48

    I used a machine like this in the 90s to flatten hydraulic motor parts. Instead of pitch, the wheel surface was steel, and the surface was kept flat by adjusting three rings which also kept the parts in position on the wheel. We'd check it a couple times a day by washing the abrasive off and placing an optical flat on the wheel. But other than that it worked the same way.

    • @hindugoat2302
      @hindugoat2302 3 роки тому +4

      its not the same as true level

    • @stickyfox
      @stickyfox 3 роки тому +8

      @@hindugoat2302 Reality is poison! I can't live like this!

    • @myselfremade
      @myselfremade 3 роки тому

      @@stickyfox lol nice answer.
      Did you happen to work on pistons and cylinder bores too for a hydraulic piston motor?

    • @stickyfox
      @stickyfox 3 роки тому +1

      @@myselfremade I worked on Eaton and Sauer-Sundstrand axial piston pumps and motors. We would replace pistons and cylinder blocks and send them out to be resleeved/refinished.

    • @myselfremade
      @myselfremade 3 роки тому +1

      @@stickyfox ah very nice. I have an Eaton series 1 pump. 5.4 cubic inch variable displacement model. Installed on my truck. Great pump 👍 wish I had a 11 cubic inch fixed displacement piston motor to go with it but instead I am using a Geroler. It does ok but slightly less optimal.

  • @kochipj
    @kochipj 2 роки тому +4

    I work in the optics industry for a couple of years now and I have to say that your channel is a real treasure! Your videos are both, highly educational and entertaining. Keep up the outstanding work!

  • @TungstenCarbideTempe
    @TungstenCarbideTempe 3 роки тому +5

    The principle looks simple, its just a tar and turntable, but those who tried working with glass, especially polishing and making it precise, knows that its extremely hard, takes years of practice and patience. Great video.

  • @martinthemillwright
    @martinthemillwright 2 роки тому +3

    One of the most clearly explained process ever seen on UA-cam. Beautiful. I feel like building one of these now.

  • @shripadwarudkar6487
    @shripadwarudkar6487 2 роки тому +1

    Hats off to your narration... I simply was thrilled. I am a retired engineer, 73 yrs.

  • @MaxRomantschuk
    @MaxRomantschuk 2 роки тому +4

    This is the most satisfying and informative presentation I've seen in ages. As a photographer I really appreciate the craftsmanship required to produce high quality optics. My hat off to you Sir! 🎩

  • @zekeroche7915
    @zekeroche7915 Рік тому +1

    I've been polishing for a year now. This was super informative. Putting images to techniques helps me understand more of what I do all day long lol

  • @user-ow3yj1mx3e
    @user-ow3yj1mx3e Рік тому +2

    I have been polishing precision optics for 12 years, I really enjoyed the video, thank you. I do the final polishing of the optics on a spindle in a zerodur plate with holes, I put planes with weights in them, according to a similar principle. pitch polishing pad for the night I turn over on a plate smeared with Regipol with good flatness

  • @movax20h
    @movax20h 4 роки тому +6

    Fascinating videos, with plenty of details. Thank you for all this useful info and diagrams!

  • @joshuagrahm3607
    @joshuagrahm3607 3 роки тому +1

    Could watch vids like this all day - thanks for sharing

  • @jlmknight
    @jlmknight 3 роки тому +2

    Very fascinating seeing someone so specialized and advanced in their field, thank you for sharing.

  • @ramkitty
    @ramkitty 2 роки тому +3

    Excellent vector drawing demonstrating the constant angular velocity.

  • @janpoppeliers8619
    @janpoppeliers8619 3 роки тому +3

    Very clear and detailed explanation, best I found so far (and no irritating background music).
    Cool how you built the turntable from a washing machine motor and rollerblade wheels!

  • @Dak3
    @Dak3 3 роки тому +18

    Using interferometric fringes to test optics, what an ingenious setup!

    • @kellymoses8566
      @kellymoses8566 3 роки тому +2

      If you think that is impressive the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory uses interferometry to detect changes in length less than a 10 thousandth of the diameter of a proton.

    • @BarneyDesmond
      @BarneyDesmond 3 роки тому

      @@kellymoses8566 luckily we don't need *quite* such precision for optics :)

  • @adrianrevill7686
    @adrianrevill7686 3 роки тому +6

    Thank you, i always wanted to know how it was done. Very clear description.

  • @TheEvertw
    @TheEvertw 3 роки тому

    Prachtig werk! Ik heb me altijd al afgevraagd hoe die dingen zo vlak konden worden gemaakt.

  • @therealzilch
    @therealzilch 2 роки тому +11

    I've always thought there was something almost magical about being able to make incredibly accurate optical surfaces, flat or otherwise, with no precision tools whatsoever. I ground my 6" parabolic mirror by hand, and figured it to 1/20 wave accuracy on a pitch lap, with no references other than the Foucault test.
    Very nicely done. Subscribed.
    cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott

    • @robertmccabe8632
      @robertmccabe8632 2 роки тому

      if you like that; then the three plates to make a surface plate is another example of this principle (though wil hardish surfaces)

    • @therealzilch
      @therealzilch 2 роки тому

      @@robertmccabe8632 Indeed. I use this principle to keep my sharpening stones flat. Using silicon carbide abrasive, I grind A against B, B against C, and C against A.

  • @1NicholasWeir
    @1NicholasWeir 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you for making and sharing this video! Great content and very informative!

  • @Crobisaur
    @Crobisaur 3 роки тому

    Your videos constantly inspire me to want to build my own lenses for different optical projects. Thank you for sharing your designs and knowledge!

  • @MimicGriphon
    @MimicGriphon 3 роки тому +3

    Am I the only one that loves this type of stuff, but at the same time, completely understands how boring most people probably would find it?

  • @johannglaser
    @johannglaser 3 роки тому +1

    Fascinating, and very well explained! Thanks a lot!

  • @pixelmangler
    @pixelmangler 2 роки тому +3

    Clear and precise explanations along with fascinating footage. Thank you. Subbed.

  • @tottedpotato
    @tottedpotato 2 роки тому +2

    Hello youtube algorithm...thank you for suggesting something I didn't know i needed to know

  • @PronatorTendon
    @PronatorTendon 3 роки тому

    I wasn't aware how much I like this content

  • @MindbodyMedic
    @MindbodyMedic Рік тому +1

    this filled in some gaps in my knowledge, really great stuff.

  • @josephhertzberg2734
    @josephhertzberg2734 3 роки тому +1

    I had no idea about any of this. Fascinating.

  • @davejenkins8524
    @davejenkins8524 2 роки тому

    I have always wanted to see Mach 3 used in a unique way like this. BRAVO !

  • @SqueakerT
    @SqueakerT 3 роки тому +1

    At work here in Germany they got mad at me for filing like this....that you work in nm tolerances and do so as well made me really happy. The understanding of why one would do it so they just couldn’t understand. Also an amazing video, very informative. Keep up the good work!

  • @fhgx32
    @fhgx32 3 роки тому +1

    Very good explanations with great schematics. Great video overall.

  • @pablovicentico
    @pablovicentico 2 роки тому +1

    Amazing video!!

  • @machinetoolswarehouse
    @machinetoolswarehouse 3 роки тому +2

    Awesome work! I am going to try this...

  • @ShcherbynaM
    @ShcherbynaM 3 роки тому

    Thank you, for precise explanation of the process.

  • @jonsydor9048
    @jonsydor9048 2 роки тому +1

    Great video!

  • @aerosoapbreeze264
    @aerosoapbreeze264 3 роки тому +1

    Your channel deserves more subscribers

  • @marth6271
    @marth6271 3 роки тому +3

    This is flat amazing. Thank you.

  • @falcfire3093
    @falcfire3093 3 роки тому

    Fascinating stuff, the explaination is on point!

  • @fakestory1753
    @fakestory1753 2 роки тому

    This video made me happy.

  • @nawtdavids
    @nawtdavids 2 роки тому +1

    Really well made video! Great job.

  • @phumgwatenagala6606
    @phumgwatenagala6606 3 роки тому +1

    I immensely enjoyed your double slit video, I would love if you did more quantum discussions - I clicked a lot in my mind, thank you!!

  • @minercraftal
    @minercraftal 2 роки тому +1

    Really nice knowledge!

  • @christopherr4628
    @christopherr4628 3 роки тому

    That was interesting and well explained. Good job, I will watch a few more of your videos

  • @BruceSchaller
    @BruceSchaller 2 роки тому

    This is an excellent way to do low speed control with a VFD. Thank you for the good idea.

  • @bad_spider
    @bad_spider 3 роки тому

    hats down, top grade quality video, so rare

  • @turbocpt1
    @turbocpt1 3 роки тому

    The explanations you give is perfect. Even a brick can understand this.

  • @SandyRiverBlue
    @SandyRiverBlue 2 роки тому

    I really enjoy your videos....keep them coming.

  • @TitusLivy777
    @TitusLivy777 3 роки тому

    Very interesting and informative. Thank you!

  • @DANTHETUBEMAN
    @DANTHETUBEMAN 2 роки тому +1

    I'm lapping this video up!

  • @markwilliams5654
    @markwilliams5654 2 роки тому +2

    Great information thanks for sharing 🤠

  • @tjejojyj
    @tjejojyj 3 роки тому

    Excellent video. Thank you.

  • @mitchellman4846
    @mitchellman4846 3 роки тому +1

    Very good to know, sure I’ll use this someday

  • @BigDaddy-yp4mi
    @BigDaddy-yp4mi 2 роки тому

    Great explaining!

  • @sirknowitall123
    @sirknowitall123 2 роки тому

    this is absolutely fascinating thank you very much

  • @smolboyi
    @smolboyi 2 роки тому +1

    Well made video, and very interesting!

  • @andreavergani7414
    @andreavergani7414 2 роки тому +1

    Great job sir

  • @poisonduckee
    @poisonduckee 2 роки тому

    Great video.

  • @jimnoonan7511
    @jimnoonan7511 3 роки тому +1

    Wow. Fascinating..thank you

  • @LasseMalmgren
    @LasseMalmgren 3 роки тому

    Excellent video, thanks for sharing :)

  • @Cjerbasko
    @Cjerbasko 2 роки тому

    Thank you kind algorithm for bringing me here. This was very interesting.

  • @trex70
    @trex70 3 роки тому +2

    Very nice thank's for sharing

  • @gkelly
    @gkelly 3 роки тому

    I would have never guessed that you'd use a malleable disc to do the polishing. Really fascinating to see how this is performed, thanks for the video!

  • @williamcashion5262
    @williamcashion5262 Рік тому +1

    It's hard for me to believe but, I lapped and polished for 20 years (Gator Diamond, Inc) and didn't know half of this info. Thanks, Bill

  • @fossar_
    @fossar_ 2 роки тому

    I didn't need to know this, but I'm glad I do now.

  • @tomconlan5875
    @tomconlan5875 3 роки тому +1

    this is excellent!

  • @raguaviva
    @raguaviva 3 роки тому +5

    physicist here, every single video of yours is mesmerizing, I have no words!

  • @beaudanner
    @beaudanner 3 роки тому

    So fascinating the science and math that goes into allowing us to achieve this. I would have never guessed it was pitch

  • @Santibag
    @Santibag 5 місяців тому +1

    The closest thing I do is knife sharpening, but I always wondered about stuff like straightness, flatness, and smoothness. This videos was very interesting.

  • @Caballingus
    @Caballingus 2 роки тому

    Amazing!

  • @krzysztofbednarek979
    @krzysztofbednarek979 3 роки тому

    Good info , thank You

  • @DavidG2P
    @DavidG2P 3 роки тому

    What a fascinating microscopic world lies behind these seemingly primitive (to the layman only, of course) machines!

  • @Sirmellowman
    @Sirmellowman 3 роки тому +2

    this is extremely interesting.

  • @piotrlenarczyk5803
    @piotrlenarczyk5803 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you for video.

  • @somewherenear3003
    @somewherenear3003 3 роки тому

    Today this was recommended to me and I watched till the end

  • @ronyd...1310
    @ronyd...1310 Рік тому

    Excelente INFORMACION ... !!!

  • @magnusklahr8190
    @magnusklahr8190 3 роки тому +1

    Realy intresting!!

  • @charleshultquist9233
    @charleshultquist9233 3 місяці тому

    Very interesting!

  • @AlohaRaceTeam
    @AlohaRaceTeam 2 роки тому

    I work at Sydor in Engineering nice video man!

  • @bennylloyd-willner9667
    @bennylloyd-willner9667 3 роки тому

    Great video, Christiaan would be proud if he was here today!

  • @asdf35750
    @asdf35750 3 роки тому +3

    Using a Fisher and Paykel motor driven by a VFD is genius! So much simpler than the old belt and pulley reduction.

  • @fearlessjoebanzai
    @fearlessjoebanzai 2 роки тому +2

    I can't shake the feeling that I'm learning knowledge that I will never need to use!

    • @Bill.Pearson
      @Bill.Pearson 2 роки тому

      Agreed. Like watching This Old Tony.

  • @royalgilpin4922
    @royalgilpin4922 2 роки тому +1

    This video reminds me of how profound our technological advancement has been. Just think of how many different people had to cooperate and dedicate basically their entire lives to engineering better solutions in the relatively niche field of precision optics. Using a high viscosity fluid as a lapping surface? How the hell did anybody come up with that? Stuff like this just blows my mind.

  • @programorprogrammed
    @programorprogrammed 3 роки тому

    Beautiful.

  • @l...
    @l... 2 роки тому

    Thank you for chapters

  • @bimbolineldson2821
    @bimbolineldson2821 2 роки тому +1

    Now I want to build one!

  • @edic2619
    @edic2619 3 роки тому

    GREAT GREAT VIDEO. THANK YOU.

  • @nedmano
    @nedmano 2 роки тому

    Best video ever

  • @makhoe1
    @makhoe1 3 роки тому

    beautiful

  • @marklimbrick
    @marklimbrick Рік тому

    Last minute had the information I didn't know I needed. Blocking pitch does put pressure on glass held to a backing. All the old film of spectacles and camera lenses show blocking, but these are not expected to be accurate to fractions of a wavelength. OK now I will also avoid lots of messy cleaning up as well.

  • @haenselundgretel654
    @haenselundgretel654 2 роки тому

    Wow! Just wow! Cheers mate for the all the Infos! I like your dialect ;-)

  • @bekanav
    @bekanav 3 роки тому +2

    Very good stuff. I've done my share of glass pushing, long long hours of manual work. I tried to make 200mm flats but I constantly got into troubles in 1um (two rings) level... Perhaps I return to them sometimes, even though I hardly remember why I started making them LOL (ok it was some cassegrain telescope idea, and another for testing other flats)

  • @elischultes6587
    @elischultes6587 3 роки тому

    This gave me a moment of connectivity to my Grandad. He ground rifle scope glass for a few years. Now that’s not flat but more of polishing

  • @alienprotein457
    @alienprotein457 2 роки тому

    Windows xp for life my man nice work!