  We present a method for the production of segmented optics. It is a novel
processing developed at INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (INAF-OAB)
employing commercial of-the-shelf materials. It is based on the shaping of thin
glass foils by means of forced bending, this occurring at room temperature
(cold-shaping). The glass is then assembled into a sandwich structure for
retaining the imposed shape. The principal mechanical features of the mirrors
are the very low weight, rigidity and environmental robustness. The cost and
production time also turns to be very competitive. In this paper we sum up the
results achieved during the r&d performed in the past years. We have
investigated the theoretical limits of the structural components by means of
parametric finite elements analyses; we also discuss the effects caused by the
most common structural loads. Finally, the process implementation, the more
significant validation tests and the mass production at the industry is
described.
