Alignment Turning at Optikos
What is Alignment Turning?
Alignment Turning combines an optical alignment telescope with an ultra-precision turning center. By combing optical feedback with an automated machining process, we can control decenter and airgap to micron level precision.
This technology has been around since the 1960s but isn’t commonly found in many optical engineering labs.
This new addition to our manufacturing capabilities enables us to accurately and quickly produce complex optical systems from telescopes to custom microscope objectives, from design through manufacture, right here in our facility.
Why Use Alignment Turning?
Alignment Turning enables Optikos to build ultra-high precision lens assemblies in a cost-effective, high throughput manufacturing setting. Optikos has found that Alignment Turning can reduce lens assembly touch time by 5x or more, while also yielding improved performance.
When combined with world-class optical and opto-mechanical design skills, and world class metrology, there is almost no problem Optikos can’t solve
What Do We Use Alignment Turning For?
Alignment turning is a viable option for any lens assembly where optical precision and volume manufacture are critical. A few common uses for alignment turning include:
- Custom microscope objectives
- Semiconductor optics
- Projection optics
- Airborne imaging lenses
- Any other cutting-edge application
Alignment Turning and Microscope Objectives
Optikos designs and manufactures microscope objectives that solve the most common headaches we hear from OEM customers. These issues include:
- Performance not corrected across the field – most objectives exhibit good on-axis performance, but performance degrades significantly across the field of view. High-quality imaging, corner to corner, enables better data and higher throughput.
- Variable performance and yield loss – many customers find they must overbuy microscope objectives due to variability in unit-to-unit performance. Customers don’t receive test data with objectives so they must also commit resources testing or integrating objectives before determining if they will work in their instrument.
- Performance not suitable for the application – OEM applications may require performance across large fields, at specific wavelengths, or for specific cover glass thicknesses and materials. Commercial objectives were not designed for their specific needs.
- Supply chain issues – we hear from customers where objectives go end-of-life or supply is inconsistent. Particularly for medical devices, owning your design files can offer significant supply chain resiliency.
