Key Takeaways:
- Avantier specializes in manufacturing high-performance C-lenses and D-lenses for fiber optics applications, offering advantages like: cost-effectiveness, minimal insertion loss, and a wide operational distance range.
- Their expertise ensures consistent, high-quality products which are tailored for diverse environments. Avantier successfully navigated challenges in microscale manufacturing, material selection, surface quality control, and cost-effective mass production.
- Leveraging over a decade of experience, Avantier collaborated closely with a customer to deliver precise and reliable micro lenses, meeting stringent specifications. This project exemplifies Avantier’s commitment to innovation and quality in micro-optics solutions.
Introduction
Avantier manufactures a variety of micro lenses, including the C-lens and D-lens types, which are extensively utilized for collimating or coupling beams post-fiber. Tailored for fiber optics applications such as collimators, isolators, switches, collimator arrays, and laser assemblies, our C-lenses and D-lenses offer distinct advantages over other gradient-index lenses. These advantages include: cost-effectiveness, minimal insertion loss over long working distances, and a broad operational distance range. Drawing on more than a decade of expertise in lean micro-lens production, Avantier delivers high-volume C-lenses and D-lenses with diameters ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm for medical device optical components to our customers.
Project Overview
Manufacturing C-Lenses at the microscale presents challenges in: precision machining, material selection for optical properties and durability, surface quality control, moisture/corrosion resistance, and cost-effective mass production. Meticulous attention to each aspect is required to consistently achieve high-quality lenses.
Lens specification:
Material | H-ZF5 |
Radius | 1.3mm |
Diameter | 1.8mm |
Surface Quality | 40-20 |
Manufacturing Challenges and Solutions
Microscale Manufacturing:
- C-Lenses have diameters around 1mm, requiring highly precise machining techniques for production
- Microfabrication and precise control ensure lenses meet required dimensions and surface quality.
Material Selection:
- Materials (e.g., BK7, N-SF11, SF11, silicon) must balance refractive index, dispersion, thermal expansion, and chemical resistance.
- Stability and optical performance are critical factors.
Surface Quality and Optical Performance:
- Control surface shape, cleanliness, and roughness during manufacturing.
- Precisely manage refractive index distribution for optimal optical performance.
Moisture and Corrosion Resistance:
- Choose materials with good moisture and corrosion resistance due to potential use in varied environments.
- Enhance coatings to possess these properties.
Cost-Effective Mass Production:
- Efficient production processes are essential for consistent, cost-effective manufacturing.
- Each lens must meet specifications.
Conclusion
These C-lenses and D-lenses epitomize cutting-edge solutions tailored for a wide array of fiber optics applications. With distinct advantages such as cost-effectiveness, minimal insertion loss, and a broad operational distance range, these lenses offer superior performance compared to other gradient-index lenses. Despite the inherent challenges in manufacturing micro lenses, including precise machining techniques and material selection considerations, Avantier has successfully assisted the customer and navigated these obstacles to deliver high-quality products. Leveraging over a decade of expertise in lean micro-lens production, we ensure that each lens meets stringent specifications while maintaining cost-effective mass production. With our commitment to innovation and quality, Avantier continues to be a trusted partner in the field of micro-optics.
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