AOtec, LLC & Precision Molding of Plastic Lenses

For quite some time it has been the goal of a select few optical molders to produce plastic lenses that were suitable for use where only glass lenses had been used previously. Today plastic optics are fabricated to interferometric standards. AOtec, LLC has the capability of providing optical design, mechanical design, mold construction, molding, coating, assembly and optical performance measurement up to the diffraction limit. This dramatic improvement in optical plastic capability is the result of refinements in every step of the process. The current situation is summarized as follows.

DESIGN/BUILD - YOUR SINGLE SOURCE OPTIONS:
AOtec has the personnel, software and test capabilities to assist you with your optical components as well as the precision injection molded, finishing and assembly of housings/components to complete your optical package. We can be your single source for optical products: molding, coating, assembly, decorating and packaging. Think AOtec when you have a requirment for optical and non-optical plastic products.

ASPHERICS
Plastic aspheric optical elements overcome the manufacturing and cost limitations that apply to glass. The aspheric optical mold insert from which the aspheric optical surface is replicated need only be made once. Mold surfaces are either (1) ground and polished steel, or (2) diamond machined nickel. Molds for axially symmetric aspherics can be diamond machined on a numerically controlled machining center. Nickel plated tools can be fabricated very rapidly. Non-symmetric aspheric molds are best fabricated from hardened stainless steel.

OPTICAL MOLDS & MOLDING
Knowing how to build and process optical molds is an expertise which is still limited to a handful of custom molders today. The cost to man, equip and test optical components is prohibitively high and most custom molders cannot support the investment required. AOtec started injection molding of optical components as the in-house R&D and production molding division of American Optical (AO) in the 1950s. Whether your need is a simple clear window or a sophisticated optical lens, AOtec has a cost effective, proven solution for you.

METROLOGY
Plastic lenses are measured interferometrically in conjunction with an AO designed radioscope and can be optimized to less than a fringe of irregularity and to better than 10 microns in surface radii. Computer interpretation of the interferograms allows precise optimization of plastic lens surfaces. SPC/SQE practices assure the surfaces are maintained through years of production.

COATINGS
Plastics can now be coated with a wide variety of coating designs and materials. Deposition of low absorption, multi-layer thin film dielectric coatings on to plastic is routine. Anti-reflection coatings are available with high transmission low absorption and minimum coloration. AOtec can apply chemical coatings via spin coating (one side coating) or dip coating (two side coatings). We also vacuum coat.

AOtec, LLC, P.O. Box 8007, Southbridge, MA 01550. Tel: 508-765-2217; Fax: 508-764-8506.