Lightweighting strategies for main support structures of ELT instrumentation

Vincenzo Cianniello; Vincenzo De Caprio; Christian Eredia; Enrico Cascone

doi:10.1117/12.2562312

13 December 2020 Lightweighting strategies for main support structures of ELT instrumentation

Vincenzo Cianniello, Vincenzo De Caprio, Christian Eredia, Enrico Cascone

Proceedings Volume 11451, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation IV; 114512R (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2562312
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Conference Poster

Abstract

This paper outlines an overview of the mechanical design of the support structure and optical bench, for ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) class of instrument utilizing standard materials. It also provides a presentation of a possible strategy to lighten this mechanical design. The mass requirements for the new class of astronomical instruments, for the Extremely Large Telescope, put tight constraints for the mechanical design of said instruments. While aluminum or steel are still the main materials that are usually employed for main support structures, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) offers a wide range of promising possibilities. The interesting properties of carbon fibers make composite materials reinforced with carbon fibers ideal for numerous applications with high mechanical performance and low weight requirements. Carbon fibers have high strength and low weight (high strength-to-weight ratio). Furthermore, carbon fibers have a high modulus of elasticity and low thermal expansion, they are corrosion resistant and their density is lower than that of aluminum: thus, they are ideal for "light applications". In this paper two possible mechanical designs for a "large optical bench", based on different materials, are presented and compared: structural steel and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). The models are validated through FEM Analysis approach, utilizing CAD and CAE software.

Citation Download Citation

Vincenzo Cianniello, Vincenzo De Caprio, Christian Eredia, and Enrico Cascone "Lightweighting strategies for main support structures of ELT instrumentation", Proc. SPIE 11451, Advances in Optical and Mechanical Technologies for Telescopes and Instrumentation IV, 114512R (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2562312

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available