Post-fabrication metrology and analysis of the LMT segmented secondary reflector

摘要

A new 2.7-meter segmented secondary reflector has been delivered to the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) for coupling to the recently completed 50-meter primary. The segmented reflector was designed and manufactured by Media Lario S.r.l. in Lombardy, Italy, using the same laminated Nickel panel technology employed by the LMT for the full 50-meter primary surface.Media Lario used their in-house coordinate measuring machine to adjust the surface during assembly, with the reflector panels facing upwards. As part of the Final Acceptance Review measurements of the surface were undertaken by LMT staff at the Media Lario factory, using both a laser tracker and photogrammetry. Measurements were also made of the electroforming mold for the central panel. The reflector was mounted on a rotating stand allowing surface measurements to be performed according to the respective gravitational load cases. Measurements at the Media Lario factory provided a useful reference for repeat data taken at the LMT site, since the reflector was shipped as a fully assembled unit, designed to require no further adjustment after leaving the factory.In this paper we present the surface measurements conducted during the review, and comparisons of the observed gravitational load deformations with those predicted by FEA. Although the latter were often at the level of measurement uncertainty, we were able to verify specific cases, as well as performing a sanity check on the manufacturer's design analysis. The measurements confirmed final surface error values leading to reflector acceptance by the project. An RMS surface error of the order of 25 microns over the entire reflector was recorded at 60 degrees elevation using photogrammetry data after adjusting to the best-fit parabola, showing compliance with the LMT specification. Acceptance review measurements also provided a baseline for surface measurements at site prior to installation.