Opto-Mechanical Systems Design, Volume 2, 4th Edition

7.10  Friction and Wear in Opto-Mechanical Structures

Although the components of opto-mechanical structures are either static or experience small motions in normal operation, friction and wear are still important. For example, friction is one factor influencing stability and repeatability in a kinematic mechanism, as shown in Chapter 10 of Volume 1. In applications where motion is required, such as focus adjustments and zooms, wear becomes important.

There are two different regimes when considering friction effects: macro or gross motion and microslip. Macro or gross motion is affected by Coulomb and viscous friction. Microslip, normally involving small displacements of less than 10 μm or rotations through angles of less than 100 mrad, is influenced ...