Development and testing of a high-precision high-stiffness linear actuator for the focus-center mechanism of the SOFIA secondary mirror

Lorenzo Zago; Philippe Schwab; Daniele Gallieni

doi:10.1117/12.389116

20 June 2000 Development and testing of a high-precision high-stiffness linear actuator for the focus-center mechanism of the SOFIA secondary mirror

Lorenzo Zago, Philippe Schwab, Daniele Gallieni

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4014, Airborne Telescope Systems; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389116
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The SOFIA telescope chopping secondary mirror is mounted on a Focus Centering Mechanism. This system is a novel type of parallel manipulator (hexapod) made of six linear actuators which provide active alignment and focus of the chopper unit with respect to the top ring frame. We describe the development of the compact high-precision linear actuator used for this hexapod mechanism. The paper reports the test results measured on the actuator prototype proving its submicron position accuracy capability as well as its high stiffness and force. The prototype was designed to be largely representative of the flight unit ones currently in the construction phase.

Citation Download Citation

Lorenzo Zago, Philippe Schwab, and Daniele Gallieni "Development and testing of a high-precision high-stiffness linear actuator for the focus-center mechanism of the SOFIA secondary mirror", Proc. SPIE 4014, Airborne Telescope Systems, (20 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389116

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