imos0117Imos Gubela has many years of experience in the development of high-precision optical systems. The company simulates and produces high-precision optical systems with plastic lenses from prototypes to series production. The optics specialist relies on a simulation tool that takes into account the material and production-related tolerances.

Modern plastics offer many advantages over glass for the production of optical systems. Plastic lenses are much lighter, can be quickly manufactured in large numbers and comparatively easy to complex systems together. But for the optimal design of lens and frame you have to consider material specificities. Moisture, ambient temperature and mechanical stresses due to incorrect mounting of the lenses affect the optical path more easily than with glass lenses. For the development of high-precision optical devices such as sensors, optical systems can be easily simulated, at least superficially, thanks to modern computing power. However, the practice encounters unavoidable deviations from the ideal conditions in the production of lenses and the conditions at the site are added.

In addition to the theoretical basics, the simulation tool used also takes into account all material and production-related tolerances. On the basis of the simulation, even complex plastic lens systems in series production can be manufactured exactly in the connected production. So is z. B. the deviation of a double lens with two different focal lengths at only 3 microns. Statistically, only one or two lenses deviate from the calculated value of one million lenses.

When implementing an optical design, the simulation takes into account a variety of parameters depending on the subsequent conditions of use, which are not necessarily immediately recognizable. For example, the usual optical plastics, such as PMMA (Plexiglas), change in their expansion in the event of fluctuations in temperature or humidity (breathe plastics). For precise sensors, which are used worldwide in different climates, this is already taken into account in the development. A combination of lenses that z. B. in case of temperature fluctuations, the respective changes compensate each other, is a solution. The socket of the lens system also flows into the calculation process. Is it practical or does it cause tension, does the unit warp when heated or damp? Are the tolerances of the lens mount, the light source and the detector such that the optical system works as expected? Even the smallest deviations under 1 / 10 mm are crucial here. The specialists simulate the interplay of all influences from the lens through the socket to the seal.