Dream Machine
This is one of our favorites, where Indexer LPT helped astro scientist Martti Koskimo make the telescope of his dreams. Incorporating mathematical models describing the ideal shape of the reflective element into his control program (written in FORTRAN), Martti fully exploited the six axis contouring capability of Indexer LPT in his computerized grinding machine. These pictures tell the story from start to finish, showing the grinding machine, a mirror being ground, the telescope, and finally the "space telescope quality" image (Copernicus) as the ultimate reward.
