Application of Laser Processing Technology to Manufacturing Space Opto-mechanical Structures

Abstract

Optical and mechanical structures including supporting structures and optical elements are important parts of large space remote sensors,their characteristics determine the imaging quality of remote sensors.So,to meet the requirements of optical systems of large space remote sensors,high precision,high stiffness and high stability are needed.At the same time,as the size of optical and mechanical structure is larger,the manufacture difficulty degree is higher.In this paper,the structures of a large space remote sensors were studied.The requirements of the optical system were analyzed,the application of the existent processing means was described,and the shortcomings in the manufacturing process,such as long period,complex process,poor reproducibility and high cost were discussed.At present,laser processing technology has become increasingly mature.Laser rapid prototyping,laser cutting,laser welding,laser repairing and laser surface treatment were described in this paper to discuss the application feasibility in the manufacturing of optical and mechanical structures.The results showed that it could improve production efficiency,reduce development period and assure quality and reliability,and it was important to make the manufacturing process of the optical and mechanical structures in space remote sensors better and expended the application field of laser processing technology.