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Featured Video...
 | | The Benefits of OptiPro U - Advanced Optical Manufacturing 101 |
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Greetings!
Optical Ultra-News highlights new product information and the latest technical process developments from OptiPro's Advanced Process Development (APD) department. We will also showcase special promotions and exciting news in the world of OptiPro Systems. |
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Optics Fab Tech Tip: Polish Out the "Gray" Faster with CNC High Speed Polishing |
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Top - CNC High Speed Concave Polishing with PRO 80P
Bottom - CNC High Speed Convex Polishing with ePX 200 |
Precision optics manufacturers still utilizing conventional polishing methods: Increase efficiency on the manufacturing floor with CNC high speed polishing and watch productivity soar. The advantages of CNC high speed polishing machines like the PRO 80P and ePX 200 are unquestionable and the results are instantly noticeable:
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Conventional
Polishing |
Comparison |
CNC High Speed Polishing | | Multiple spindles, Multiple tools for each production job | Number of Spindles, Tooling | One spindle, One custom tool set per surface | |
Significantly more, typically 4X longer compared to CNC polishing | Polishing Time to Remove Gray |
Significantly less than conventional polishing | | Low repeatability - grooves in pitch close up over time and must be recut frequently which affects part-to-part consistency |
Repeatability | High repeatability - run parts consecutively without ever changing tool and get consistent results | |
Skilled operator for duration of job | Skill Level of Operator | Moderately skilled operator for set up, lower level technician for production run | | Slow production rate |
Production Rate | Very high production rate | | Large footprint to match production - more spindles, more floorspace consumed |
Footprint Size | Small footprint - lower facility costs and requirements |
OptiPro's polishing software, P Series, is the brain that allows the PRO 80P and ePX 200 to be so powerful. The P Series uses mathematical calculations to make setup easier and faster to achieve desired radius of curvature. In addition, the P Series helps the operator meet the irregularity specification easier through a set of guided software handles.
Conventional polishing requires an intuitive feel that often depends on skilled opticians for a dependable process. Even for experienced opticians, conventional polishing to the desired figure can be an iterative process and can require multiple runs before the optic meets specification.
Even if your print says "Pitch Polishing Only", get the gray out faster with the PRO 80P or ePX 200, then put the finishing touches on your precision optics with a conventional polishing machine.
JML Optical is one of many OptiPro customers that has seen the benefits of implementing the ePX 200 into their manufacturing operations:
"After receiving an order for 550 pieces each of two different part numbers, we knew that we would not be able to meet our commitment to our customer if we tried to polish everything conventionally. That was when we purchased the OptiPro eSX 150 grinder, and the ePX 200 CNC high speed polisher. This has turned out be one of the best decisions JML has made.
One of the lenses we have been manufacturing has a 57.289 convex radius across a 100.00 mm diameter. We have been able to reduce our polishing time to gray this part outfrom two hours to twenty minutes, and the repeatability of the polisher has allowed us to achieve a half wave of irregularity consistently.
We are having even better results on the other part, which is a 169.217 convex radius across an 86.50 mm diameter. On this part, we are not only able to gray the part out but maintain our final radius, irregularity, and cosmetics in a twenty-five minute cycle time. These are just two examples how CNC polishing has helped JML increase our polishing times, quality, capabilities, and our ability to meet or beat our customer needs."
Steve Burton, Director of Manufacturing
JML Optical Industries, LLC
Adding the PRO 80P or ePX 200 CNC High Speed Polishers to your manufacturing capabilities can reduce operating costs and cycle times, yielding increased throughput and higher profitability.
Learn more by contacting OptiPro today at 585-265-0160 or sales@optipro.com. |
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OptiPro Breaks Ground on Second Addition in Three Years! | |
OptiPro continues to grow! Construction of a new 10,000 square foot addition has officially started, OptiPro's second addition in three years! The addition, which is located directly off the back of the facility, will serve as the manufacturing/assembly area for OptiPro's line of optical fabrication equipment. More space was necessary for the optics machine build area due to increased sales of optics equipment. The approximate date of completion of the new addition is sometime around Thanksgiving and will bring the size of OptiPro's facility to 30,000 total!
Feel free to visit OptiPro for a tour of our facility and check out the progress on our new addition! |
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OptiPro Restructures Sales Team to Accommodate Growth of Company | |
OptiPro has reached new heights in both the size of our facility (30,000 square feet) and the number of employees (63). To ensure that we continue to provide superior service and support, OptiPro has restructured our sales team to streamline communication to our potential and existing customers before, during, and after the sale.
For your needs, please contact OptiPro's team at 585-265-0160:
- Danielle Bechtold - Primary sales contact for optics grinding, polishing and metrology equipment - Ext. 245, dbechtold@optipro.com
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Register Today for OptiPro U - Become a Pro in CNC Advanced Optical Manufacturing! | |
Registration is open for the next OptiPro U session: November 11th-15th, 2013 at OptiPro's facility in Ontario, NY! OptiPro U is a one week study of current processes, machinery, and tools employing the latest CNC technology that is shaping the methodology in manufacturing optical components.
Throughout the week, students will attend classroom lectures pertaining to deterministic microgrinding of spheres and aspheres, high-speed polishing of spheres, and sub-aperture polishing of aspheres while implementing interferometric, non-contact and contact metrology systems. They will also receive ample hands on experience in putting the lecture material to practice by using OptiPro's advanced optical manufacturing laboratory. Here they will use the latest PRO Series machines (PRO 80 GTS, PRO 80P, PRO 80 UFF), eSX grinding, ePX high-speed polishing
and UltraForm Finishing (UFF) platforms as well as the OptiTrace 5000 profilometer, UltraSurf non-contact profilometer and PRO Tower interferometer.
Dave Valleli, Custom Optics Lab Manager at Hardin Optical, had this to say about the OptiPro U course he attended back in April:
"OptiPro U is an amazing accomplishment. The course was well thought out, comprehensive, and superbly executed. After 15 years in the optics industry, I am no stranger to this business but I came home with valuable information that will improve the efficiency and quality of the products we produce here at Hardin."
Check out photos from the April 2013 OptiPro U course >>
Register for OptiPro U in November >>
Learn more about OptiPro U >>
Contact Danielle Bechtold today (585-265-0160 x245 or dbechtold@optipro.com) for more information or to sign up. Space is limited so reserve your spot before the class fills! |
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OptiPro was founded on one revolutionary, yet simple, concept: optical fabricators deserve more. In the past 30 years, we have consistently built a culture that cares: a culture of employees who live and breathe by our strong OptiPro values - with first-rate customers who are collectively on a relentless pursuit of process efficiencies, design improvements, capability enhancements and marketplace superiority.
Join the OptiPro Revolution.
We won't settle. Neither should you. |
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