Presentation + Paper
28 October 2021 Challenges and best practices for manufacturing freeform optics
Franciscus Wolfs, Scott DeFisher, James Ross, Kyle Wood
Author Affiliations +
Proceedings Volume 11889, Optifab 2021; 118890Q (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2601244
Event: SPIE Optifab, 2021, Rochester, New York, United States
Abstract
Freeform optics are becoming more widely used in the optics industry to expand the capabilities of systems while reducing the package size and number of elements required in the system. The complexity of freeform designs introduces new challenges to the manufacturing flow compared to rotationally symmetric optics. New manufacturing techniques have been developed to solve these new challenges. In addition, as tolerances tighten on freeform surfaces, the methods used to address these challenges can be the difference between the part being inside or outside of tolerance. Successful manufacturing starts when designing the freeform part and choosing the proper datum structure. When moving to processing, choosing the right fixture is a key component of efficient manufacturing. Part measurements are critical to both perform error map driven figure corrections and to determine if the part is within tolerance. An easily oriented error map is a simple way to improve the surface while avoiding inducing new mid-spatial signatures into the part surface. This paper will present common challenges of manufacturing freeform optics and the best practices in designing, manufacturing, and measuring that will ensure the greatest chance of making a freeform optic that meets its specifications.
Conference Presentation
© (2021) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Franciscus Wolfs, Scott DeFisher, James Ross, and Kyle Wood "Challenges and best practices for manufacturing freeform optics", Proc. SPIE 11889, Optifab 2021, 118890Q (28 October 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2601244
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KEYWORDS
Freeform optics

Manufacturing

Optics manufacturing

Metrology

Tolerancing

Aspheric lenses

Design for manufacturability

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