Featured Video...
 | |
TRIUMPH: Three Optical Polishing Solutions in One Machine
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
| OptiPro Acquires Glassmaster Fabrications
| |
OptiPro Systems has acquired Glassmaster Fabrications, a leader in continuous planetary polishing equipment. With the acquisition of Glassmaster, OptiPro is positioned to serve the precision flat optics market, furthering their mission of helping companies prosper through innovative optical manufacturing solutions.
Glassmaster's industry-renowned Plano Pro planetary polisher incorporates patented technology to ensure consistent flatness and finish of glass, ceramic, silicon, crystal, or metal plano optics. The Plano Pro's optimal performance allows the platform to fit seamlessly into OptiPro's lineup of leading-edge machines for precision optics fabrication.
OptiPro is excited to have the opportunity to grow the Plano Pro brand in addition to providing service and support for existing Plano Pro customers!
Glassmaster was founded in 1995 as a premier manufacturer of continuous planetary polishers and precision glass cutting saws. Based in Ontario, NY, the company's inception was the result of the combined expertise of a master optician and master machinist with the goal of designing the most effective and maintenance free line of optical equipment in the world.
For more information regarding the acquisition or to learn more about the Plano Pro, please contact OptiPro at 585-265-0160 or sales@optipro.com.
|
|
|
NASA SBIR Project Influences Advancements with UltraSmooth Finishing
|
OptiPro Systems is utilizing its optical manufacturing capabilities to solve the difficult problems associated with grinding, polishing and metrology of X-ray mandrels for NASA applications. During the polishing stage of this project, exciting results were achieved with one of OptiPro's newer technologies, UltraSmooth Finishing (USF).
USF is a deterministic mid-to-large aperture polishing process that predicts and corrects the figure error of a surface. This is accomplished by creating a math model of the polishing tool and simulating the tool moving across the surface to create a map of material removal.
After UltraForm Finishing was utilized for corrective polishing of the X-ray mandrel's convex surface, USF was performed on OptiPro's TRIUMPH platform to "smooth" this surface. Using a 50mm semi-conformal polishing tool, three 1-hour smoothing/polishing passes were completed. As you can see from the figures below, USF removed much of the higher frequency error:
 | Left: Surface before UltraSmooth Finishing
Right: Surface after UltraSmooth Finishing
View larger image >> |
With the advancements made during this SBIR project, NASA will be able to manufacture the forming mandrels used to produce multiple segmented shell mirrors for the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO). The aspheric and freeform optical surfaces required by Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) will also benefit from the fabrication advances made with this endeavor.
The developments in OptiPro's USF technology have allowed this process to become an ideal solution for precision optics manufacturers looking hit tight surface tolerances of aspheres and other complex optics. The versatility of USF's polishing tool gives it the ability to conform to aspheric and freeform optical surfaces and the tool's compliant layer is available in different durometers, giving the operator freedom to configure the tool to polish a variety of optical materials.
Contact OptiPro today for more information on UltraSmooth Finishing and the benefits it can bring to your company.
|
|
|
OptiPro's Optics Open House a Major Success!
|
 | |
Mike Cahill, Mechanical Engineer at OptiPro, demos the OptiSonic 3X Ultrasonic grinding platform during OptiPro's optics open house
|
OptiPro recently hosted an open house to showcase our latest advancements in precision optical fabrication equipment. The event drew a great response, as over 100 representatives from a variety of companies in the precision optics industry were in attendance!
Attendees were able to experience live demonstrations of machines performing optical grinding (with and without Ultrasonic assist), high speed spherical polishing, UltraForm Finishing, UltraSmooth Finishing, precision centering, and optical metrology. In addition, noteworthy vendors serving the precision optics industry, including Eminess Technologies, Salem Advanced Surfacing Materials, Universal Photonics, Wrisley Abrasives, XONOX, and Zygo, displayed their capabilities and shared interesting and beneficial technical presentations on various topics pertaining to optical manufacturing and testing. The day concluded with networking while enjoying a delicious steak dinner and happy hour. We would like to thank all our guests that helped make this event a huge success! To see photos from OptiPro's optics open house, visit OptiPro's Facebook page. |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
