Preliminary Engineering Study of Long-Lead Time Equipment Required for Large Lightweight Mirror Manufacture

摘要

This technical report develops design concepts for equipment required for the manufacture of large lightweight mirror blanks by the fusion technique. An earlier study identified this equipment as long lead time equipment critical to a mirror manufacturing schedule. The equipment addressed in this report includes: 100 in. glassmaker furnace, core maker, annealer and fusion sealing furnace. Cost estimates to complete detailed engineering and construction of equipment are developed. Timing schedules for the design, construction and installation of this equipment show that the core maker is the longest delivery item, requiring 25 months to complete. No technical problems have been identified. The report recommends that detail design engineering on critical equipment and preliminary engineering on other equipment be initiated. (Author)