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(11) | EP 2 353 781 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Tool for smoothing or polishing optical surfaces |
| (57) There is disclosed a tool for smoothing or polishing an optical surface (35). The
tool comprises a body part (6) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (8), a
plurality of pads (26) arranged in an array to bear against said optical surface (35)
for movement across the surface (35) as the tool is rotated about said axis of rotation
(8), wherein said pads (26) are each mounted for substantially linear movement relative
to said body part (6) in a direction substantially normal to said surface (35) in
the region where the pad contacts the surface and universal pivotal movement relative
to said body part (6). The pads (26) are biased towards said optical surface (35).
In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of pistons (18) are mounted for individual
reciprocating movement relative to the body part (6) along respective longitudinal
axes (19), each of said pistons (18) having a distal end (21) to which a respective
said pad (26) is universally articulated, wherein said pistons (18) are each biased
towards said optical surface (35).
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