Towards freeform optics manufacturing capabilities in Thailand for Space and Astronomical applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
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Publications
Description | This project sought to train the Thai Space Consortium (TSC) staff to additively manufacture (AM) mirrors for telescopes. TSC staff undertook virtual training and then visited three sites in the UK for hands-on experience to finish the virtual and theoretical training. University of Sheffield researchers aimed to make use of AM's weight-saving and complex design capabilities for mirrors. Traditionally to achieve the best quality surface in mirrors requires a lot of weight. Keeping the weight as low as possible is especially important for mirrors that are used in astronomical devices like telescopes, due to the telescopes overall size and weight. |
Exploitation Route | The key aspect of the project was knowledge transfer to the Thai Space Consortium on the how to manufacture lightweight, additively manufactured astrological mirrors. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
URL | https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/12188/121880V/Towards-understanding-and-eliminating-defects-in-additively-manufactured-CubeSat-mirrors/10.1117/12.2629935.short |
Description | This project sought to train several of the Thai Space Consortium (TSC) staff in the technology and wider applications using a case study featuring mirrors of different designs. Training took place virtually and some also took place in person. Thai researchers visiting the three sites in the UK for hands-on experience to finish the virtual and theoretical training. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Other |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Designed multiple mirrors to be used at the main observatory in Thailand. |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Sheffield's focus was on the AM feasibility and "design rules" of the parts. |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge transfer |
Impact | No impact yet |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Developed future work |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Setup potential future collaboration work with NARIT and helped to lay groundwork for their own AM ambitions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge transfer |
Impact | No impact yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Hosted two Thai researchers for a week of intensive training and teaching on AM machines |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Built several successful mirrors (see twitter) and taught the researchers how to operate the machines. |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge transfer |
Impact | No impact yet |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | NARIT Bi-Weekly Calls |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Project calls |
Collaborator Contribution | Updates provided |
Impact | No impact yet. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Project Partner - Durham University |
Organisation | Durham University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The main point of the project is to transfer knowledge to the Thai partner (NARIT). The University of Sheffield are providing information regarding additive manufacturing. |
Collaborator Contribution | The main point of the project is to transfer knowledge to the Thai partner (NARIT). Durham University are providing information on the polishing of optics and traditional optic design. |
Impact | The design that will be the worked example on this project has been agreed. It is being re-designed so it can be polished successfully. Then a AM redesign can be worked. All of these steps are not about the actual product but are about demonstrating the techniques and methods involved in design and manufacturing. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Project Partner - NARIT |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The main point of the project is to transfer knowledge to the Thai partner (NARIT). The University of Sheffield will provide knowledge regarding additive manufacturing. |
Collaborator Contribution | NARIT have been involved in workshops and seminars provided by the UK partners (University of Sheffield, Durham University and UK-ATC. |
Impact | The design that will be the worked example on this project has been agreed. It is being re-designed so it can be polished successfully. Then a AM redesign can be worked. All of these steps are not about the actual product but are about demonstrating the techniques and methods involved in design and manufacturing |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Project Partner - UK-ATC |
Organisation | UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The main point of the project is to transfer knowledge to the Thai partner (NARIT). The University of Sheffield is providing information regarding additive manufacturing. |
Collaborator Contribution | The main point of the project is to transfer knowledge to the Thai partner (NARIT). UK-ATC is providing information regarding novel optic design. |
Impact | The design that will be the worked example on this project has been agreed. It is being re-designed so it can be polished successfully. Then a AM redesign can be worked. All of these steps are not about the actual product but are about demonstrating the techniques and methods involved in design and manufacturing |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Taught Thai researchers about mirror design, optics modelling and AM. |
Organisation | National Astronomical Research Institute Of Thailand |
Country | Thailand |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Fortnightly (approx.) lessons on the various topics, the Sheffield focus on the AM. |
Collaborator Contribution | Knowledge transfer |
Impact | No impact yet |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | UK Consortium Meeting |
Organisation | Durham University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Consortium meeting |
Collaborator Contribution | Consortium meeting |
Impact | No impact yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | UK Consortium Meeting |
Organisation | UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Consortium meeting |
Collaborator Contribution | Consortium meeting |
Impact | No impact yet |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Workshop / Seminar - Optics, AM and Designing Optics for AM |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | The University of Sheffield presented Optics, AM and Designing Optics on six consecutive Wednesday mornings. The plan is to educate a PhD student and she can disseminate the information and knowledge to the rest of NARIT. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |