Barrington, NJ. Edmund Optics announced it is utilizing single-point diamond turning to produce a range of precision optical components. The manufacturing technique involves the mechanical machining of precision elements using lathes or other machines equipped with diamond-tipped tool bits. This ultraprecise machining process generates desired surface profiles with accuracies of a few nanometers or better.
The company has released a video showing footage of optical components being diamond-turned. The video demonstrates the strict environmental controls on temperature, cleanliness, and vibration required for diamond turning.
The video also outlines the data-collection process during inspection—monitoring surface quality, surface roughness, and mechanical inspection. EO said process improvement is a priority, including six sigma, lean processes, and Kaizen events, resulting in reduced setup time, increased lot sizes, and minimized waste. An in-house machine shop allows for streamlined creation of tooling and blanks, further reducing lead times.
A variety of metrology instruments inspect the diamond-turned parts to ensure high quality, including interferometers, profilometers, and coordinate measuring machines. In addition to the large selection of standard optical components, EO offers build-to-print or custom capabilities to meet exact customer specifications. EO’s diamond-turning staff has extensive experience in optimizing designs for manufacturability and cost reduction.