<title>Precision plastic optics applications from design to assembly</title>

摘要

Versatility, low cost, limited materials, and unfamiliar manufacturing and assembly processes generate opportunities, obstacles and confusion in the transition from glass to high volume plastic lens assemblies. From concept to final assembly, many factors must be considered. Different experiences and capabilities lead to different preferences among injection molding shops for materials, surface types, mechanical features, doublet assembly, subassembly processes, vacuum coatings, final assemblies, etc. Because the low cost and great versatility of polymer optics make them very attractive, care must be taken to ensure that appropriate quality standards can be met. The authors' experiences are drawn upon to address a number of such issues, from design through assembly and testing, from manually stuffed clam shells and tubes to diffractive optical element eyepieces and robot assembled endoscopes.