This paper is a compilation of process and design information to aid engineers in the creation of components suited for the electroforming manufacturing process. It should be used as a 'rule of thumb' to aid in the initial layout phase for designing electroformed parts. Production cost saving design features for various optical and structural components will be discussed; e.g., mirrors and coldshields. Many components may be manufactured by electroforming, including metal optics such as searchlight mirrors, and precision structural components like coldshields. All are manufactured by a similar process but key differences require tailored manufacturing planning. This paper will discuss these design and manufacturing differences. For example, high quantity, low cost, production parts can utilize reusable steel mandrels if the component design meets certain shape requirements.

Date Published: 16 September 1993
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 1998, Optomechanical Design, (16 September 1993); doi: 10.1117/12.156633

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1998:
Optomechanical Design
Daniel Vukobratovich; Paul R. Yoder Jr.; Victor L. Genberg, Editor(s)