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AXA is part of the “Extrem Large Telescope”, ELT
AXA is part of the new mega-project of the European Southern Observatory (ESO): the Extrem Large Telescope, ELT for short, with a main mirror approx. 40 meters in diameter and is currently being built in Chile. These dimensions make it the largest ground-based optical telescope in the world.
AXA is part of the new mega-project of the European Southern Observatory (ESO): the Extrem Large Telescope, ELT for short, with a main mirror approx. 40 meters in diameter and is currently being built in Chile. These dimensions make it the largest ground-based optical telescope in the world.
The gigantic main mirror of the ELT is the largest of its kind. Its surface consists of almost 800 hexagonal partial mirrors, each 1.45 meters in diameter and only 5 centimeters thick. In order to fulfill the mission of the telescope in the best possible way, every single mirror has to be a precision work.
And this is where AXA comes in!
Machining is primarily associated with metal. AXA machines also process other materials - like here: GLASS
Glass processing places particularly high demands. Glass literally pulverizes when it is sanded and atomizes into every corner of the machine. These particles have an extremely abrasive effect and would seriously damage "normal" machines. To prevent this, the machining center must be specially designed and constructed for glass processing.
AXA designed these machines!
In the coming years, all 798 telescope mirrors will be ground to their final shape on two AXA VPC U.
We are very proud to be part of a project of the century!
More information about the project: elt.eso.org
The gigantic main mirror of the ELT is the largest of its kind. Its surface consists of almost 800 hexagonal partial mirrors, each 1.45 meters in diameter and only 5 centimeters thick. In order to fulfill the mission of the telescope in the best possible way, every single mirror has to be a precision work.
And this is where AXA comes in!
Machining is primarily associated with metal. AXA machines also process other materials - like here: GLASS
Glass processing places particularly high demands. Glass literally pulverizes when it is sanded and atomizes into every corner of the machine. These particles have an extremely abrasive effect and would seriously damage "normal" machines. To prevent this, the machining center must be specially designed and constructed for glass processing.
AXA designed these machines!
In the coming years, all 798 telescope mirrors will be ground to their final shape on two AXA VPC U.
We are very proud to be part of a project of the century!
More information about the project: elt.eso.org