Inside a Few Approaches to Diamond Turning
Monday, September 21, 2015
Diamonds are more than a girl’s
best friend; they’re also a machinist’s best friend with diamond turning (a
process that is oftentimes used to manufacture optical devices and systems). On
principle, essentially almost any material can be turned on a diamond turning
machine. But, as that’s based on principle,
there always seems to be an exception to the rule.
Thankfully, from years of
development and advancement, not only are multiple materials, such as plastics,
metals, and infrared crystals, able to be turned on this machine tool, different
approaches of turning are now the norm. People discovered besides woodturning,
they could turn metal, among other materials. During these discoveries,
discoveries on how to machine were
also made — it no longer has to be completed solely by hand. Thus, with
different approaches to diamond turning becoming more and more common, the
accuracy of producing a mold inserts, optical systems, and other objects has
increased. The four methods of diamond turning that are used to frequently
produce articles include traditional turning, off-axis turning, fly cutting,
and free-form machining.
Taking a cue from its name,
traditional turning is the same process that’s been used for centuries. However,
what’s used in the 21st century is amped up from ancient turning methods. Along
with numerical control, computer numerical
control (CNC) has become a method that automates the diamond turning (and other
turning) process(es). Not only is traditional turning now a more streamlined, and
less-time consuming, traditional turning combined with CNC creates a an article
with an accurate shape.
![Diamond turning, machine tool, traditional turning, off-axis turning, turner](../img/Small_CNC_Turning_Center_PNG.png)
A CNC turning center in the FAME Lab in the Leonhard Building at Penn State. (Photo: Nathaniel C. Sheetz/Wikimedia Commons)
Switching from one method that has
been known for thousands of centuries to another, more contemporary approach to
diamond turning, off-axis turning, is a method that doesn’t rely on symmetry;
off-axis turning is the complete opposite, as it has the workpiece mounted asymmetrically
to the spindle. When using this method, many turners transpose ‘off-axis
turning’ with ‘off-center turning.’ Simply put, this approach to diamond
turning means whatever article the turner is producing isn’t being turned on
the rotational center, hence it relying on asymmetry. Depending on the specifics
of machine tool used for off-axis turning, the turner has the ability to change
the axis to be placed wherever the turner desires, creating repeating patterns
or unique designs that have a rotational center — one, which doesn’t coincide
with the center of the article.
![Diamond turning, machine tool, traditional turning, off-axis turning, turner](../img/eccentric-finial-1-branch-rosewood_PNG.png)
Off-center and off-axis turning, a complex zigzag finial. (Photo: Phil Holtan Woodturning)
Whether you’re in the
turning business, or are new to the trade, there is more than one way to turn
workpieces when it comes to diamond turning. Traditional turning, off-axis
turning, and other methods in between can produce some ornate, distinct designs
that will make you glad you chose the machine tool over diamond jewelry.
There is more to come
about approaches to turning! Stay tuned to the Greenlight Optics blog in the
upcoming months to learn more about fly cutting and free-form machining.
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