Sphere precessions polishing method

A sphere precessions polishing (SPP) method is proposed to perform the precessions polishing function like the bonnet polishing technique. A compliant inflated hollow ball is adopted as the sphere polishing tool, and three motors are used to collaboratively drive the sphere tool rotating around a desired axis tilting with a precessions angle. A prototype is developed to validate the technical feasibility and demonstrate the polishing removal functions. The polishing spots of vertical polishing show a typical W shape-like profile, and tilted polishing results reveal a D shape-like profile. This proposed SPP method can be regarded as a potential candidate technique to realize the precision precessions polishing in the optical precision engineering.