OptiPro Systems 
Optical Ultra-News
OptiPro Systems Monthly Newsletter
April/May 2011 
In This Issue...
PRO Series Machines Make Debut Showing at Optifab!
OptiPro Holding Three Product Demos at Optifab
OptiPro Presenting Four Papers at Optifab Conference
OptiPro to Break Ground on New Addition!
Upcoming Tradeshows...
 
2011 OptiFab
See OptiPro in Booth 414...
Social Center...
 
Find us on Facebook
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View our videos on YouTube
Greetings!
Optical Ultra-News highlights important news, new product information, and the latest technical process developments from OptiPro's Advanced Process Development (APD) department . You will also be able to find special promotions that are being offered. We hope you enjoy catching up on the exciting news in the world of OptiPro Systems.
OptiPro SystemsOptifab Features the Debut Showing of the Revolutionary PRO Series Machines!
OptiPro Systems will be having its debut showing of the PRO Series machines at Optifab! Stop by OptiPro's booth (#414) to see the PRO 80GTS (grinder, twin-spindle), PRO 80P (high speed spherical polisher), PRO 80UFF (UltraForm Finishing for aspheres) and the PRO Tower vertical interferometer. This machine line provides a complete solution from short-run prototypes to production optics.
PRO 80GTS
The PRO 80GTS, one of four machines in the PRO Series that will be in operation at Optifab
 
  • The PRO 80GTS is capable of grinding spherical lenses in optimal cycle times with high precision.
  • The PRO 80P is a high speed spherical lens polisher for workpieces up to 80 mm in diameter. Fast setups and cycle times are achieved with the PRO 80P, yielding high production of spherical optics.
  • The PRO 80UFF utilizes OptiPro's patented sub-aperture polishing system called UltraForm Finishing (UFF). With bound or loose abrasives, the PRO 80UFF can polish a wide range of materials, including optical glasses, optical ceramics, and stainless steel injection mold inserts.
  • The PRO Tower is a vertical interferometer capable of measuring the wavefront and radius of optics that are up to 300 mm in diameter. It has a motorized stage with 1000 mm travel and is available with a CGH stage for asphere metrology.

In addition to these four machines, attendees of Optifab who visit OptiPro's booth will also be able to check out...

  • eSX 300 CNC optical grinding machine
  • UFF 200 (UltraForm Finishing platform for up to 200 mm optics)
  • OptiTrace 5000 contact profilometer
  • UltraSurf 2000 5X (5-Axis, non-contact metrology system)
  • UltraCURV digital spherometer
  • UltraBloc (ergonomic table-top device for precision alignment between the lens and blocking body) 
OptiPro Systems
Watch Advanced Technology in Action as OptiPro Holds Three Product Demonstrations During Optifab

OptiPro will be holding three product demonstrations, one on Tuesday, May 10th and two on Thursday, May 12th at OptiPro's booth #414. Stop by our booth to learn more about our recently-introduced machine line, the PRO 80 Series, as well as proven technologies for polishing and measuring aspheric and freeform optics.

 

Product Demonstrations

UltraSurf Non-Contact Metrology
UltraSurf Non-Contact Metrology System

Title: Non-Contact Metrology for Manufacturing Freeform Optics

Presented by: Scott DeFisher, OptiPro's UltraSurf Specialist

Description: UltraSurf is a 5-Axis non-contact measurement system for characterizing complex freeform optical surfaces. Interchangeable optical probes enables surface and thickness measurements of ground or polished parts.

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 10th at 11:30 AM 

 

Title: Compact Grinding and Polishing with New PRO 80 Series

Presented by: Mike Bechtold, President of OptiPro Systems

Description: OptiPro's new PRO 80 Series includes single and twin spindle grinding (PRO 80GTS), high speed polishing (PRO 80P), and UltraForm Finishing (PRO 80UFF) of 80 mm lenses for prototypes to production of precision optics. With a small footprint, powerfully simple job-setups, exceptional ergonomics, and OptiPro's high quality spindles, the PRO 80 Series is compact, powerful, and cost-effective!

Date and Time: Thursday, May 12th at 10:30 AM

 

 

UltraForm Finishing
OptiPro's Patented UltraForm Finishing (UFF)

Title: UltraForm Finishing of Aspheres and Freeform Optics Presented by: Scott Bambrick, Senior Scientist at OptiPro Systems

Description: OptiPro's UltraForm Finishing is becoming the industry choice for sub-aperture polishing of plano, spherical, aspherical, and freeform optics. Fast removal rates + high precision = big profits.

Date and Time: Thursday, May 12th at 11:30 AM

 

 

 

 

OptiPro SystemsOptiPro To Present Four Papers During the Optifab Conference

OptiPro is an expert when it comes to optical grinding, polishing, and metrology processes. Our team of engineers, scientists and mathematicians will be presenting four papers on various different topics pertaining to the topics of "Grinding and Polishing Processes" (Sessions 1 and 2), "Aspheric and Meter Class Optics" (Session 3), and "Metrology" (Session 5). If you are unsure of the capabilities of OptiPro's equipment, we invite you to attend these presentations delivered by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced individuals in the field of optical fabrication. See the schedule below for the titles of each paper, the time of each presentation, and the authors of each paper.

 

Paper TD07-3

Title: OptiPro's fabrication and metrology solutions for aspheres and freeform surfaces

Date and Time: Monday, May 9th, 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM

Authors: David E. Mohring, Edward M. Fess, Michael J. Bechtold, OptiPro Systems

Abstract: OptiPro Systems has developed optical fabrication equipment for the precision optics industry since 1988. Our relationship with the Center for Optics Manufacturing, Universities and industrial partners has led us to design and build cost effective state of the art manufacturing and metrology solutions. The use of CNC grinding machines utilizing deterministic techniques has been enhanced with Hi speed CNC spherical polishers to address spherical dome fabrication requirements. The advent of aspheres has driven the requirement for cost effective non-spherical fabrication. The eSX, UltraForm Finishing (UFF), OptiTrace and UltraSurf platforms provide grinding, polishing and metrology solutions for fast asphere/freeform production.

Paper TD07-10

Title: Increasing the determinism of sub-aperture polishing

Date and Time: Monday, May 9th, 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Authors: Scott Bambrick, Michael J. Bechtold, David E. Mohring, Scott DeFisher, OptiPro Systems

Abstract: In recent years the fabrication of aspheres has approached economical prices. Much of that decrease in price is directly related to the availability of sub-aperture polishing systems capable of deterministic figure correction. These machines have enabled operators to fabricate shapes that would have been too costly to manufacture using artisan techniques. However, to get the most out of these machines care must be taken during the set up of these processes. A brief description of common sub-aperture errors will be presented as well as the solutions to those errors.

Paper TD07-16

Title: UltraForm Finishing (UFF) spotting technique for studying polishing process conditions for optical materials

Date and Time: Monday, May 9th, 2:40 PM - 3:00 PM

Authors: Christopher Roll, Paul D. Funkenbusch, Univ. of Rochester; Scott Bambrick, OptiPro Systems

Abstract: We demonstrate the use of UltraForm Finishing (UFF) spotting technique for studying polishing process conditions for a variety of optical materials. The UFF is a sub aperture polishing technique that uses a continuous belt of either bound abrasive material or assisted loose abrasive slurries over a rotating wheel. Design of experiment systematic analyzing approach was used to study the effect of process parameters on surface microroughness and material removal rate as well as UFF belts wear. Process parameters include speeds, compression depth and induced normal load, wheel nominal hardness, and UFF belt and coolant/slurry combination.

Paper TD07-25

Title: Non-contact surface measurement of freeform and conformal optics with UltraSurf

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 10th, 9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Authors: Scott DeFisher, Michael J. Bechtold, David E. Mohring, OptiPro Systems

Abstract: OptiPro Systems is developing the UltraSurf, a non-contact measuring system using state of the art, precision motion control. UltraSurf has the flexibility to handle common metrology problems such as surface roughness, slope error, and high departure. Current UltraSurf research is the qualification of freeform and conformal optics and using measurement data as feedback for sub-aperture polishers.

OptiPro SystemsOptiPro to Break Ground on New Addition During the Week of Optifab!

Times are busy at OptiPro! As we make preparations for Optifab next week, we look forward to breaking ground on a new addition to our facility in Ontario, NY. This new addition will house our optics machine build area, opening up more room for our Advanced Process Development lab and machine tool showroom. Construction of the addition is expected to be completed sometime in the mid-late summer timeframe, with our annual Open House to take place in the fall. Stay tuned for more information regarding OptiPro's open house as well as "OptiPro U," our annual course on advanced optical manufacturing, which will also take place in the fall timeframe.

OptiPro Systems is a global leader in designing and building computer controlled grinding, polishing, and measuring equipment for the precision optics industry. If you would like to reach us, please call (585) 265-0160 or send emails to [email protected].  
 
Sincerely, 
OptiPro Systems
*The Machines Behind Precision Optics*