Diamond turning of aspheric steel molds for optics replication

Diamond turning of steel parts is conventionally not possible due to the high tool wear. However this process would enable several different application with high economical innovative potential. One technology that enables the direct manufacturing of steel components with monocrystalline diamond is the ultrasonic assisted diamond turning process. This technology has been investigated over years within the Fraunhofer IPT and has proven its potential. Surface roughness in the range of Ra = 5 nm are reached and the diamond wear is reduced by a factor 100 or higher. Up to now this process has been investigated in lab conditions manufacturing only plane surfaces. In order to prove its industrial suitability, two relevant aspherical shapes, convex and concave respectively, have been defined and manufactured. The reached form accuracies and surface roughness values will be described in this paper.