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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| 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 |