Basically I need some holes drilled and channels milled in the crystal for installing thermal sensors in them. Needed for an accurate mapping of the temperature field within the crystal. Satelite application.
Georgi,
Mmm.
No help from Google - I'd be tempted to treat it as semi-precious stone and have a professional lapidarist look at it.
Or, drop Saint-Gobain a line.
http://www.crystals.saint-gobain.com/
They've been making scintillators for a while:
http://www.crystals.saint-gobain.com/uploadedFiles/SG-Crystals/Documents/Applications/Physics%20and%20Astrophysics%20Projects.pdf
Naturally, there are plenty of other providers who may be able to provide machining tips:
http://www.omegapiezo.com/
(I imagine that the most difficult stage is lapping the crystal faces, with the need for few or no impurity inclusions from the lapping material or tool)
Hi James,
Thanks. I asked Saint-Gobain and got an extensive scope-of-work description and a hefty price tag for the answer. So, no, they don't know.
Since Google didn't know much on the matter either, I wrapped up my sleeves, went to the workshop with one crystal I could sacrifice, and came up with methods for both drilling and milling.
I am considering wrapping up a short paper on how to do that. But the reference list threatens to be too short...
Georgi,
A short reference list simply shows that you're leading the field!
High speed and slow feed, perhaps with carbide or diamond grit inserts?
Hi James,
Generally yes. The jigs are the tricky part. Especially for the drilling.
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