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TRIUMPH: Three Optical Polishing Solutions in One Machine
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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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Winter 2014 SBIR Review Meeting Hosted By OptiPro Brings in Record Attendance!
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Dan Harris of the U.S. Navy speaks to attendees of the Winter 2014 SBIR Review Meeting
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OptiPro is excited to announce that the Winter 2014 SBIR Review Meeting brought in 84 attendees, the highest attendance ever! Our most recent meeting, which took place on January 28th at the Holiday Inn Express in Webster, NY, included members of academia, industry, and the federal government to show the status of successful SBIR programs. The event featured presentations from OptiPro, U.S. Navy, Optimax Systems, Ceranova Corporation, Applied Science Innovations, Zygo Corporation, Arizona Optical Systems, Bridger Photonics, and the University of Rochester's Center for Freeform Optics. The presentations summarized the exciting technological advancements being made in precision optics manufacturing through Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants, including a revolutionary freeform optics software being developed by OptiPro (see below).
Upon the conclusion of the open meeting, OptiPro hosted a networking event at our newly-expanded 30,000 square foot facility where guests were able to see live demonstrations of OptiPro's innovative platforms for CNC optical grinding, high speed spherical polishing, asphere/freeform optics polishing, and both contact/non-contact metrology. OptiPro recognizes the importance of the SBIR program to facilitate the advancement of American-made technology for precision optics fabrication. The development of these solutions will not only help precision optics manufacturers prosper, but also achieve cost-effective manufacturing of current and future military optical components.
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OptiPro Developing New Freeform Optics Software
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OptiPro continuously strives to develop technology that will revolutionize precision optics manufacturing. In the near future, optical manufacturers will be able to grind and polish freeform optics to precision tolerances more efficiently than ever before.
OptiPro is developing a deterministic and intuitive CAM software designed to run exclusively on OptiPro's CNC optical grinding and polishing machines. This software is able to verify tool path motions for freeform optics and will include several features that are crucial for freeform optics manufacturing:
- OptiPro's UltraForm Finishing and UltraSmooth Finishing tools are built into the software, allowing for a precise contact point between the part and the tool
- Shapes can be defined by equations, importing .igs files, or point clouds
- Tool path point spacing stays parallel along the surface of the part helping to achieve anticipated polishing results
- Controlled dwell of the polishing tool for consistent material removal when graying out the part
- Deterministic, metrology-driven tool path corrections to achieve high surface quality
- OptiPro's machine models are built into the software allowing user to view animation of part running
OptiPro is currently undergoing performance testing of the software, and we want to take on your challenging part geometries! If you have a complex optical component and you are curious to find out if it can be ground and polished with our new software, please contact Jayson Tierson, Director of Technology Solutions, by calling 585-265-0160 x 243 or send emails to jtierson@optipro.com. |
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Only Two Spots Left for OptiPro U in April - Register Today!
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There are only two spots available for the next OptiPro U session: April 7th-11th, 2014 at OptiPro's facility in Ontario, NY! If you are thinking about polishing your skills in precision optics manufacturing, register today before the class fills! 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."
Register for OptiPro U in April >>
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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A Deterministic Solution for an Extremely Difficult Asphere
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Kreischer Optics, Ltd., located in McHenry, IL, specializes in producing world class aspheres along with a wide variety of precision spherical and cylindrical optics. The company's equation for success is simple: Master Opticians + State-of-the-Art Technology = Maximum Customer Value.
Kreischer Optics had been producing pre-production quantities of a particular aspheric lens, which due to its extreme shape near the edge, could only be finished by hand polishing. With the opportunity to manufacture hundreds of this particular lens on the horizon, Kreischer Optics was able maximize process efficiencies and maintain high precision by investing in the PRO 80 UFF UltraForm Finishing machine.
Read the Success Story >>
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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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