Surface relief grating image machining process and product
First Claim
1. A machining process for creating a surface relief grating that results in a corresponding three-dimensional image effect offset from a material surface, said machining process comprising the steps of:
- providing a material;
providing a cutting tool;
contacting the material with the cutting tool to a predetermined depth;
rotating the cutting tool to cut the material at a predetermined rotational speed;
moving the cutting tool at a predetermined travel speed along a travel path to cut an array of substantially circular, overlapping grooves in the material which are centered on the travel path, wherein adjacent arc lengths of the array of substantially circular grooves are substantially parallel and separated by a small gap; and
producing the surface relief grating that causes the three-dimensional image effect in the material when exposed to a light source through the contacting, rotating, and moving steps.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surface relief grating (SRG) image machining process and/or product. For the SRG image machining process a material and a cutting tool are provided. The material is contacted by the cutting tool to a predetermined depth. The cutting tool is rotated to cut the material at a predetermined rotational speed. The cutting tool is moved to cut the material at a predetermined travel speed. A SRG image effect is produced in the material through the contacting, rotating, and moving steps. A product with a SRG image effect has a surface with rotational cuts effected therein to create the SRG image effect. The SRG image has an effect based on a rotational speed of a cutting tool effecting the cuts, a travel speed of a cutting tool effecting the cuts, and a depth of the cuts. A light source can be used to emit light on the surface of the product.
47 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A machining process for creating a surface relief grating that results in a corresponding three-dimensional image effect offset from a material surface, said machining process comprising the steps of:
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providing a material; providing a cutting tool; contacting the material with the cutting tool to a predetermined depth; rotating the cutting tool to cut the material at a predetermined rotational speed; moving the cutting tool at a predetermined travel speed along a travel path to cut an array of substantially circular, overlapping grooves in the material which are centered on the travel path, wherein adjacent arc lengths of the array of substantially circular grooves are substantially parallel and separated by a small gap; and producing the surface relief grating that causes the three-dimensional image effect in the material when exposed to a light source through the contacting, rotating, and moving steps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification