to accelerate precision machining development so as to realize more of the potential savings within the next few years of known dod part procurement, the air force materials laboratory is sponsoring the precision machining commercialization project (pmc). the goal of pmc is to minimize precision machining development time and cost risk for interested vendors. pmc will do this by making available the high precision machining technology as developed in two doe contractor facilities, the lawrence livermore laboratory and the y-12 plant, at oak ridge, tn. the technology of high precision machining is neither exotic nor new, but rather is based on a number of refinements of fundamental machining principles such as better slideways, more accurate spindles, better control systems, better thermal stability, isolation from vibration, application of the laser interferometer for closed-loop tool position control, and part handling and chucking with a sensitivity to fractions of micrometer tolerance. a critical element is the diamond tool bit, which cuts precisely in accordance with its geometry without the built-up edge characteristic of other tools, thus offering the potential of the mirror finish needed for optical parts. mirror finishes of optical quality directly off the machine cannot now be obtained from other tool bits. a special section of this document covers the purchase, care, application, measuring and sharpening of diamond tool bits. the high precision machining technology referred to herein is the result of over 20 years development largely in support of demanding nuclea