An innovative software application for a more realistic tolerance analysis has been developed recently by INO. The application is using optical and mechanical manufacturing databases as well as several equations to translate realistic manufacturing tolerances, optomechanical mounting interfaces, and centering methods into tilts and decenters perturbations, easily transferable to Zemax OpticStudio. The standalone application can be used by the optical designer to quickly verify the feasibility of a mounting and alignment technique according to the specific sensibilities of the current design. The optomechanical engineer can also easily validate or choose a better centering method as well as update the mechanical tolerance parameters. Once the parameter is fixed, the optical designer can export the new parameters into a Zemax OpticStudio file, updating Lens Data Editor and Tolerance Data Editor. Communication between both optical and optomechanical specialists is straightforward with this powerful tool, making the design process easier, quicker, and more accurate. This paper presents how INO is using its standalone application for tolerance analysis to overcome the complex simulation of various centering techniques. Through real examples, it will show how realistic tolerancing simulations impact the choice of appropriate centering method for the lens assembly.
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