Fino

Flexible production of innovative optical elements

The goal of the BMBF project FINO is to examine the necessary technological steps for the production of innovative optical elements. The focus lies especially on the high optical quality, which is necessary for the function, and the production's economic process chain.

FORWISS is concentrating on the conversion of data of a given lens surface generated through optical software into a NURBS surface graph using approbiate approximation algorithms. The production of such optical elements requires a fast and precise CNC triggering of the given free formed surfaces. The developed NURBS surface graphs have therefore additionally to suffice the CAD exchange format IGES. Furthermore, quality assurance during the production of optical elements is an essential part of the FINO project. In order to ensure this, new algorithms are developed, comparing the results of the very precise 3D measurements with the CAD draft's original data. This is a prototypical pass problem.

Moreover, new methods respectively algorithms are needed for the processes injection moulding, injection embossing, shiny pressing and precision thermoforming to transform the surface's calculated outlines into the required surface graphs for the replication's form tools. The geometrically depending thermic shrinkages of the different optical synthetics and glassware as well as the respective material's different shaping temperatures are being taken into account during this process. Currently, the arithmetical predetermination of the form tool's desired surface is not yet solved. So far, this surface form has been computed in time consuming and therewith expensive iteration steps. An approximate approach is scheduled to maximize the effectiveness.

In cooperation with LINOS, a topographical measurement method is being developed as well using the recently finished lab gauge for the surface determination of the macro shape of rotation symmetric aspheres. The lab gauge's functionality will be enhanced to handle free formed surfaces.

For information see http://www.fino-optics.de/

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