FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE FOR PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IPT

DIAMOND MACHINING

DIAMOND MACHINING
Ult r a- p rec ision m a ch i n i n g wi t h m o n o cr y s ta l l i n e d i a m o n d to o l s (d i a m o n d m a c h i n i n g ) i s a k e y t e chnology
fo r th e p ro d uct i o n o f o p t i ca l su r f a ce s w i th e x tre m e l y h i g h p re c i s i o n . T h e h i g h q u a l i ty o f th e dia m ond
to o ls in c o n ju n ct i o n wi t h u l t r a - p re ci se m a c h i n e te c h n o l o g y e n a b l e s th e p ro d u c ti o n o f w o rk pie ce s w it h
o p tical su r f ace q u a l i t y a n d st r u ct u re d e t a i l s w i th s u b m i c ro n p re c i s i o n .

Markets

Our skills

Optics

Holistic examination of the diamond machining process

Displays and lighting technology

Tooling (plastic injection molds) for optics
Metrology and sensors

including machine design, machine characterization and

machining of ultra-precision workpieces
Mapping of the entire production process: optical design,

Biological and medical applications

diamond machining of tool masters and molds, plastic

Laser technology

replication

Photovoltaics
Jewelry

Application of diverse analysis methods, from optical measurement techniques up to the examination of workpieces in our
large-chamber scanning electron microscope

Our services

Timely and flexible implementation of custom solutions and

Machining of metal and plastic optics

Experience with long-term machining processes with

prototypes thanks to high level of customer orientation

Production of ultra-precision components for micro systems
and metrology
Manufacturing of structural details of less than 5 m over
large areas up to 1 m
Feasibility studies and prototype manufacturing
Production of freeform optics

continuous machining times of more than a week

Use of our specially developed solutions for automated
workpiece and tool exchange, accurate to the submicron
Application of our expertise in the field of machine characterization to quality assurance in diamond machining

Our processes

Our equipment

At the Fraunhofer IPT, diamond machining processes are

LT Ultra MTC410 ultra-precision lathe with fast tool servo, slow

carried out on both self-developed and commercially available

ultra-precision machine tools. Through the combined use of
these ultra-precision machine tools, a wide product range can
be manufactured using diamond machining processes such as
turning, milling and planing. Furthermore, the use of highly

tool servo and a separate B-axis for single point turning

LT Ultra MMC1100-2Z machining center for diamond milling
and fly-cutting
Moore Nanotechnology 450 freeform generator with fast tool
and optional Y-axis

dynamic additional axes, so-called fast tool servo systems

Precitech Nanoform 350 ultra-precision lathe

(FTS), enables the production of non-rotation-symmetrical

UHM ultra-precision machining center for turning, planing and

surfaces.

fly-cutting (proprietary development)

Piezo fast tool servo for microstructuring and air-bearing fast

Diamond turning
Fast tool turning
Fly-cutting
Diamond milling
Ultra-precision planing
Our materials
In addition to non-ferrous metals, which are typically used for
diamond machining, the Fraunhofer IPT examines and qualifies
innovative materials for the production of optical surfaces
and microstructures. In an in-house plating facility, nickelphosphorus coatings are produced for diamond machining
high-quality products for optical applications.
Non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum, brass, nickel silver)
Nickel-phosphorus (NiP) coatings on various body materials
Plastics and crystals

tool servo for freeform machining (proprietary development)

Fraunhofer Institute for

Production Technology IPT
Steinbachstrae 17
52074 Aachen
Germany
Phone +49 241 8904-0
Fax +49 241 8904-198
info@ipt.fraunhofer.de
www.ipt.fraunhofer.de
Contact
Dr.-Ing. Christian Wenzel
Phone +49 241 8904-220
Fax +49 241 8904-6220
christian.wenzel@ipt.fraunhofer.de
Dipl.-Ing. Roland Tcks
Phone +49 241 8904-152
Fax +49 241 8904-6152
roland.tuecks@ipt.fraunhofer.de