Comparison of freeform manufacturing techniques in the production of monolithic lens arrays

Gregg E. Davis; Jeffrey W. Roblee; Alan R. Hedges

doi:10.1117/12.824451

24 August 2009 Comparison of freeform manufacturing techniques in the production of monolithic lens arrays

Gregg E. Davis, Jeffrey W. Roblee, Alan R. Hedges

Proceedings Volume 7426, Optical Manufacturing and Testing VIII; 742605 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.824451
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Monolithic lens arrays are used in applications such as hyper-spectral imaging, Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors, and lens replication molds, where lens-to-lens registration is critical. Traditionally, monolithic lens arrays are produced by diamond turning one lens at a time on axis. This process requires the substrate to be shifted to a new position before the next lens is machined. This intermediate step increases production time and makes it difficult to achieve lens-to-lens registration accuracy. Freeform diamond machining allows lens arrays to be produced in a single setup. Since there are no intermediate shifts of the substrate, the lens-to-lens registration is inherent to the program and machine accuracy. The purpose of this paper is to compare different freeform manufacturing processes in the production of a three-element germanium lens array. Freeform machining technologies including Slow Tool Servo (STS), Fast Tool Servo (FTS) and Diamond Micro-Milling (DMM) will be used to produce this lens array. The results for process times, figure, and finish characteristics will be compared across all three techniques.

Citation Download Citation

Gregg E. Davis, Jeffrey W. Roblee, and Alan R. Hedges "Comparison of freeform manufacturing techniques in the production of monolithic lens arrays", Proc. SPIE 7426, Optical Manufacturing and Testing VIII, 742605 (24 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.824451

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