METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A FERNOPTIC DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a long-range optical device, in particular a binocular or monocular telescope, telescope, riflescope, night vision device or rangefinder, and / or at least one accessory part and / or at least one operating part and / or at least one housing part of the long-range optical device, wherein the long-range optical device has at least one housing, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A method for manufacturing a telescope in which a mirror is produced using a 3D printing process is known from US9709713B1.

[0003] The use of 3D printing processes is also known from US590020A, US2015 / 054918A1, US201 / 5324490A1, US9772497B1, US2015022884A1, US2010 / 254017A1, WO2015200173A1 and DE102014119293A1.

[0004] The disadvantages of conventional manufacturing methods for producing long-range optical devices, parts thereof, or their accessories are the high manufacturing effort and the associated costs. Furthermore, conventional manufacturing methods do not allow for the production of user-specific, custom-made long-range optical devices or accessories.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to reduce the manufacturing costs of long-range optical devices and their accessories and to enable customization according to specific customer needs.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method of the type mentioned at the outset with the features of claim 1.

[0007] The inventive solution allows for very rapid adaptations to an existing design of a long-range optical device and for the easy automation of complex manufacturing steps. Furthermore, it provides users with the opportunity to customize the long-range optical device and adapt it to their needs.

[0008] At this point, it should be noted that in this document, the term "3D printing" is generally understood to mean an additive manufacturing process for the layer-by-layer construction of a workpiece.

[0009] In this document, a long-range optical device is understood to mean an optical device for observing an object that is at least two meters away from an observer.

[0010] A simple way to create an exact model is to create the model of the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or of the at least one accessory part and / or of the at least one operating part and / or of at least one housing part or of the at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed by determining a surface geometry of at least one part of the long-range optical device serving as a reference or of an accessory part serving as a reference.

[0011] The surface geometry can be determined by scanning, in particular contactless scanning, and / or by means of a triangulation method and / or by means of a molding device. The surface geometry can thus be determined by scanning the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or the at least one accessory part and / or the at least one operating part or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed, for example using a light section method. The at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or the at least one accessory part and / or the at least one operating part or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed can be illuminated with one or more light lines or a light line grid, and the outline shape can be recorded.If this is done repeatedly along the circumference, the surface geometry can be determined from the course of the obtained outlines using mathematical methods.

[0012] It has proven particularly advantageous if the model of the basic shape of at least one element of the long-range optical device and / or of at least one accessory part and / or of at least one operating part and / or of at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed is created and saved as a CAD model. Saving it as a CAD model enables easy further processing, modification, and adaptation of the model. Furthermore, it is also possible to transmit the CAD model via the internet to a remote 3D printer or a corresponding manufacturing facility and have the finished product delivered. It is conceivable that the data is transmitted directly to an end user (customer), who can then easily print the product, component, or accessory themselves at home.

[0013] To enable easy selection of the design parameters, at least one value can be selected via a graphical user interface in step i). For example, a user can enter the corresponding values ​​via a design app and view the preview on a corresponding electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, etc.

[0014] It has proven particularly advantageous if the housing of the long-range optical device is manufactured at least in sections using the 3D printing process. This allows, for example, easy adaptation of housing sections to different carrying systems. For example, sections of the housing can be printed with appropriate mounts for the corresponding carrying straps for the long-range optical device.

[0015] An advantageous development of the invention consists in the production of a reinforcement, in particular a coating, for the housing of the long-range optical device using the 3D printing process. This allows, for example, the production of an outer shell for the long-range optical device that is individually adapted to the user. In addition to the optimally adapted reinforcement, this embodiment also allows for the realization of individual user requests, e.g., a generally different shape / color or additional haptic features. A reinforcement can generally be understood as any coating of a housing part of the long-range optical device that protects the device against environmental influences such as solar radiation, heat, cold, sweat, humidity, but also against mechanical influences such as impacts, scratches, or abrasion.

[0016] Assembly is facilitated by the fact that the reinforcement is manufactured in at least two sections and is joined together to form one part over the housing in a detachable or non-detachable manner.

[0017] Furthermore, the reinforcement can be manufactured as a cover and pulled over the housing, at least in sections. This variant of the invention is characterized by the fact that it allows for easy attachment of the reinforcement to the housing.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the reinforcement is connected to the housing in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner.

[0019] According to a further variant of the invention, at least one attachment for the housing of the long-range optical device can be printed and connected to the housing.

[0020] To ensure a good connection between the attachment and the housing, it can be provided that at least one first interface element designed for connection to the attachment is arranged on the housing. At least one second interface element, which can be connected to the at least one first interface element, is printed on the attachment corresponding to the shape of the at least one first interface element. The interface elements can be, for example, a corresponding screw and thread, parts of a bayonet lock, etc.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the at least one operating part is printed as an add-on part, wherein the operating part is designed to change an optical setting of the long-range optical device, in particular to change a diopter setting, a focus or a magnification of the long-range optical device. This enables individual adaptation of the operating part according to the user's requirements; for example, an operating part for adjusting a focus can differ in color from an operating part for magnification, which also reduces the likelihood of confusing the different actuating means. According to a development of the invention, the at least one operating part can be printed as an add-on part in the form of a push button and / or a rotary knob and / or a switch and / or a ballistic turret and / or component of a ballistic turret.

[0022] In a further advantageous variant of the invention, at least one anatomically shaped contact part of the long-range optical device can be produced for a user. To produce the contact part, an actual anatomical shape of a body part of the user that comes into contact with the long-range optical device is determined, and a contact section of the contact part that rests against the body part when the long-range optical device is used is printed according to the actual anatomical shape. This variant of the invention can significantly increase the user comfort and handleability of the long-range optical device. A further advantage of this embodiment is that it is possible to create a contact piece for long-range optical devices that is individually and optimally adapted to the user, thus creating a customized long-range optical device.Compromises regarding adaptation to actual physical conditions are eliminated, as is the requirement to produce several different (housing) variants of the long-range optical device, which can still only cover a large portion of the user's actual conditions. These two design variants significantly increase user satisfaction. Furthermore, the application performance of the long-range optical device also increases, as the device is adapted to the individual user and operating errors due to incorrect posture are reduced or eliminated.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a surface geometry of the body part can be determined to determine the actual anatomical shape. The surface geometry of the body part can be determined, for example, by scanning, in particular contactless scanning, and / or by means of a triangulation method and / or by means of an impression device.

[0024] The molding device for molding the body part and / or the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or the at least one accessory part and / or the at least one operating part and / or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed can comprise a non-reversibly deformable impression body, in particular a molded foam, gel cushion or a plaster cushion, wherein the impression body is converted into a negative form of the actual shape. This variant is advantageous, for example, for the production of a customized operating element, an eyecup or a holding element, for example a handle. The impression is retained even after the corresponding element or part has been removed. In particular, burrs and / or known problem areas can be removed before further processing. When manufacturing a contact piece, for example a handle, the contact orThe holding force required to deform the impression body should advantageously correspond approximately to the actual force acting on the contact piece when the long-range optical device is being used. This is advantageous in order to be able to create an impression body that is optimally adapted to the user's actual anatomical shape. After this impression process, however, the impression body must be sufficiently stable and strong to be suitable for the further processing steps. With this further development, it is now possible, to put it simply, to have a soft impression body available for the impression process, which then, over time and / or as a result of an externally triggered event, hardens to such an extent that the molded contour is retained. A molded foam is structurally designed in such a way that an indented contour is retained; elastic recovery is not possible.Elastic impression bodies can be designed in such a way that their elasticity disappears after a specified period of time, and the material hardens. This hardening process can also be initiated, for example, by a (UV) flash or a mechanical pressure wave. The terms gel and plaster cushions refer to elements that contain a material within a shell that remains pasty for a certain period of time and then hardens spontaneously or through an initial event.

[0025] Furthermore, the surface geometry of the at least one body part and / or of the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or of the accessory part and / or of the at least one operating part and / or of at least one housing part and / or of the at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed can be determined by scanning the impression body.

[0026] According to a preferred variant of the invention, the surface geometry can be determined by contactless scanning of the impression body, in particular using a light-section method. Further developments also include the surface geometry being determined by contactless scanning of the impression body using a triangulation method, and the surface geometry being determined by scanning the impression body using a coordinate probing system.

[0027] In addition, the impression device can comprise a force-sensitive impression body, in particular an impression body with a force sensor which converts a force acting on the force sensor into an electrical characteristic, in particular a piezoelectric and / or resistive and / or capacitive force sensor. The shape of the at least one body part and / or of the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or of the accessory part and / or of the at least one operating part and / or of at least one housing part and / or of the at least one other part of the long-range optical device to be printed can be formed by determining discrete force values, wherein a coordinate network can be formed from the determined force values ​​by a force-coordinate transformation. If the long-range optical device, for example,If the part has a considerable weight and / or must be held very firmly, a deformable impression body may have the disadvantage that sections of the surface of the part to be captured are pressed too deeply into the impression body, and due to the lack of elasticity, a suboptimally adapted shape is determined. With the present design variant, the shape is determined indirectly via the force exerted by holding or picking up the part. Since the impression body is not deformable, it can also be held or grasped firmly – and this with very fine resolution and a high level of detectable dynamics.

[0028] Another refinement involves the force-sensitive impression body having an array of sensing elements. Such sensing elements can be, for example, spring-loaded styli that protrude from the impression body in a resting position and adapt to the actual shape when the long-range optical device is held or picked up. The actual shape can be determined directly by determining the impression travel.

[0029] Another possible embodiment is for the force-sensitive impression body to comprise a transparent, elastically deformable volume body, with triangulation points of the inner surface geometry of the impression body being detected by an optical scanning device arranged inside the impression body. In addition to determining the surface geometry by scanning the outer surface, this can also be done from within the impression body, as the latter is transparent. The advantage is that a reusable, permanently elastic impression body can be used. The volume body can be formed, for example, by a gas- or liquid-filled transparent balloon, or a transparent gel cushion.

[0030] According to a further possible embodiment, the force-sensitive impression body comprises a transparent, non-deformable solid body, wherein an optical image capture device arranged inside the impression body captures the impression image of the part or element whose shape is to be determined on the outer surface of the impression body. Preferably, an illumination device is also arranged next to the image capture device and emits light towards the outer surface of the impression body. During the molding of the element or part, there will be areas in which increased deformation of the impression body occurs due to a deviation of the actual shape of the element or part from the generic shape of the impression body.This deformation can be easily detected optically due to its characteristic brightness distribution and can be used to draw conclusions about the force conditions on the outer surface of the impression body via the brightness distribution, in particular by applying optical filter methods.

[0031] A variant can also consist in the molding device being formed by a depth sensor or a volume scanner, and the model being created by determining discrete distance values ​​between the molding device and the corresponding part or element, and a coordinate network being formed by a vector transformation from the determined distance values. A depth sensor can be formed, for example, by a stereo camera or TOF (time-of-flight) camera, and determines an image of the captured area, with distance information being assigned to each pixel of the captured image.

[0032] An advantageous development of the invention consists in that the 3D printing process comprises a free-space process or a powder bed process. A free-space process, for example, is a 3D printing process in which a fusible material is applied layer by layer by a coordinate head. After curing, a solid piece is created. In a powder bed process, a fusible powder is applied in thin layers and melted in defined structures by a point energy source, usually a laser, whereby it bonds with a previously applied structure. The advantage of this process is that materials with a high melting temperature can also be used, in particular metals. A powder bed process has the further advantage that complex undercuts can also be created, such as those required for a hand grip, in order to ensure the best possible adaptation to the anatomical conditions, e.g.the fingers.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the 3D printing process is a free-space process using a volume-variable material. A volume-variable material is preferably designed to change its shape or volume in a defined manner after production. For example, it can be provided that the volume change is triggered by the influence of temperature and disappears again when the temperature influence is removed. This can also be accompanied by a change in the material properties, for example, by the material becoming somewhat elastic during the volume change.Since individual anatomical conditions also vary from day to day, for example slightly swollen fingers, this training allows the production of a contact piece that is optimally adapted to the user. The volume-changing material allows it to adapt precisely to the current anatomical conditions of the day when the long-range optical device is used.

[0034] A further advantageous variant of the invention consists in that the at least one 3D printing process comprises a laser melting process and / or an electron melting process and / or a stereolithography process and / or a digital light processing process and / or a polyjet modeling process and / or a fused deposition modeling process and / or a multi-jet modeling process and / or a binder jetting process and / or a laser deposition welding process and / or a cold gas spraying process. By combining different 3D printing processes, all components, including the optical components, such as lenses, can be produced by 3D printing. For example, lenses can be printed from glass powder using a multi-jet modeling process.

[0035] Advantageously, the entire long-range optical device can be manufactured by at least one 3D printing process.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one part produced by the 3D printing process can be at least one contact element that comes into contact with a body portion of a user during intended use of the long-range optical device.

[0037] Preferably, the at least one contact element is an eyecup, a grip portion or a support for a forehead area of ​​a user.

[0038] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one part produced by the 3D printing process can be a reinforcement, in particular a coating, for the housing of the long-range optical device.

[0039] In a further variant of the invention, it can be provided that the housing is at least partially manufactured by means of the 3D printing process.

[0040] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0041] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 shows a first variant of a long-range optical device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a printing device according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a detail of the long-range optical device from Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 a second variant of a long-range optical device according to the invention, Fig. 5 a detail of a housing of a long-range optical device with an attachment; Fig. 6 a detail of the housing of Fig. 5 with the attachment removed; Fig. 7 a detail of a housing of a long-range optical device with a lens cap; Fig. 8 a detail of a connecting piece for attaching the lens cap to the housing of Fig. 7 ; Fig. 9 a detail of an interface of the housing from Fig. 7for connecting the connecting piece of the lens cover to the housing; Fig. 10 a third variant of a long-range optical device according to the invention, Fig. 11 an operating element of the long-range optical device from Fig. 10 in more detail.

[0042] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations. The disclosures contained throughout the description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and these positional information must be applied analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0043] Fig. 1shows a long-range optical device 1 produced according to the method according to the invention. According to the invention, the long-range optical device 1 and / or at least one accessory part, and / or at least one operating part 2 and / or a housing part 3, 4 are partially or completely produced using a 3D printing process. However, the method according to the invention can also be used to produce a contact part that is anatomically adapted to a user. The contact part can be, for example, a holding part, in particular a handle or a handle shell, of the long-range optical device 1 or as in Fig. 1 and 3The contact element 5 is shown as an eyecup and a support part 6, against which a user's forehead rests. To produce the contact element, an actual anatomical shape of a user's body part that comes into contact with the long-range optical device 1 can be determined. A contact section of the contact element that rests against the body part when the long-range optical device 1 is used can then be printed according to the actual anatomical shape. The contact element can also be, for example, an anatomically shaped holder for attachment to a user's head.

[0044] The accessory can be, for example, a bag, a protective cover, a carrying strap, a lens cover or, as in the Figures 1 and 3 shown is an eyepiece cover 22.

[0045] At the Fig. 1In the exemplary variant shown, the device 1 according to the invention is designed as a telescope.

[0046] The 3D printing process can, for example, be a free-space process, in particular a free-space process using a volume-variable material, a powder bed process, a laser melting process, an electron melting process, a stereolithography process, a digital light processing process, a polyjet modeling process, a fused deposition modeling process, a multi-jet modeling process, a binder jetting process, a laser cladding process, a cold gas spraying process, or a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned processes. For example, a metal part of a telescope can be manufactured using a laser cladding process, while optical components, such as lenses, can be manufactured from quartz or glass powder using multi-jet modeling.

[0047] During production, at least a model of a basic element of the long-range optical device 1, for example a housing or housing part and / or the accessory part and / or the operating part 2, the contact part and / or at least one other part of the long-range optical device 1 to be printed, can be stored in electronic form.

[0048] For example, the model can be created and saved as a CAD model. Saved CAD models can be converted into the surface description language STL (Surface Tessellation Language) for printer control.

[0049] To produce a part of the long-range optical device 1, for example one or all of the housing parts 3, 4 or the operating part 2, a 3D printing device can be used, as symbolically shown in Fig. 2To increase the quality of the manufactured parts, the 3D printing process can also be carried out in a closed environment under atmospheric conditions such as pressure, temperature, humidity, and gas composition different from those of the ambient atmosphere. For example, printing can also take place in a clean room or in a vacuum.

[0050] The 3D printing device 7 has at least one printer controller 8, for example, a correspondingly programmed signal or microprocessor, and at least one electronic memory 9. The printer controller 8 is configured to control a print head 10 for producing the object based on data stored in the electronic memory 9. The above-mentioned 3D model of the basic element of the long-range optical device 1, the accessory part, the operating part 2, the contact part, or the other part of the long-range optical device 1 to be printed is stored in electronic form in the electronic memory 9. The 3D printing device is thus controlled based on the 3D model stored in electronic form in order to print an object corresponding to this model.Although it is in principle possible to manufacture all parts of the long-range optical device 1 using 3D printing, it is also possible for individual parts, such as a basic element of the long-range optical device, such as part of a housing, to be manufactured and printed conventionally. It is of course also possible to print individual parts separately and assemble them in a separate step. However, it is also possible to print a larger assembly consisting of several individual parts.

[0051] The model of the object to be printed can be created by determining a surface geometry, the long-range optical device 1, or a part of the long-range optical device 1 serving as a reference, or an accessory part serving as a reference. The surface geometry can be determined, for example, by scanning, for example, contactless scanning with a light beam, using a triangulation method, using a molding device, or a combination of the aforementioned methods. A description of the surface geometry and texture obtained by triangulation or scanning can be provided, for example, in STL.

[0052] If the surface of the object to be printed is captured by means of an impression, the impression device for molding the body part, the long-range optical device, a part thereof, the accessory, the operating part, or parts thereof can comprise a non-reversibly deformable impression body. The impression body can be, for example, a molded foam, gel pad, or plaster pad, whereby the impression body is converted into a negative of the actual shape. The corresponding surface geometry of the object can be determined, for example, by scanning the impression body and / or triangulation.

[0053] However, the molding device can also comprise a force-sensitive impression body, in particular an impression body with a force sensor that converts a force acting on the force sensor into an electrical parameter, in particular a piezoelectric and / or resistive and / or capacitive force sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the impression body can comprise an array of sensing elements.

[0054] According to a further embodiment, the impression body can also comprise a transparent, elastically deformable volume body, wherein triangulation points of the inner surface geometry of the impression body can be detected by an optical scanning device arranged inside the impression body. Furthermore, the force-sensitive impression body can comprise a transparent, non-deformable volume body, wherein an impression image on the outer surface of the impression body is detected by an optical image capture device arranged inside the impression body.

[0055] To facilitate the user's customization of the long-range optical device according to their needs, the user can access the electronic model via a user interface and edit the data or copies of this data. The user interface can be implemented in an app installed on a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, PDA, etc. Alternatively, the user interface can also be part of a program installed on a desktop computer or laptop.

[0056] After calling up the user interface, the user can select a surface texture or the geometry of the part to be printed, for example the color or roughness, in a step i). The selection of the geometric properties of the part to be printed can, for example, be program-supported using stored standard models of various long-range optical devices. For example, the user can enter a type number of a long-range optical device and the information that they want to print an eyecup. Based on this information, one or more types of eyecups with a suitable geometry can then be suggested, from which the user can choose. In addition, it can be provided that the user can make further changes to the suggested designs.In addition, it is also possible for a user to design components completely freely, which are then scaled by an appropriate program to the correct size for a specific type of long-range optical device.

[0057] In step ii), the object to be printed is printed using the 3D printing process.

[0058] In order to give the user an impression of what the selected design of the item to be printed will look like before printing, a preview of the appearance can be displayed on a screen of the user's device based on the selected parameters.

[0059] How the object to be printed, for example a reinforcement, fits into the overall image of the long-range optical device can be seen in advance by a user if a preview of the combination of the basic element and the part to be printed is output based on i) the selected parameters and ii) a model of the basic element of the long-range optical device.

[0060] As from Fig. 1As can be seen further, a reinforcement 11, in particular a cover, for the housing 3 can be produced using the 3D printing process. The reinforcement 11 can be produced from two or more sections and joined together detachably or permanently over the housing 3 to form a single part. Alternatively, the reinforcement 11 can be produced as a cover part and pulled over the housing 3 at least in sections. The reinforcement 11 can be connected to the housing 3 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. In addition, the reinforcement 11 can also be printed directly onto the housing 3. Furthermore, the reinforcement 11 can also be adapted to the anatomical conditions of a user. For example, the thickness of the reinforcement can be adapted to the hand size of a user. The reinforcement can also be adapted to implement other desired functions, such as shock protection.

[0061] According to Fig. 4Another variant of the long-range optical device 12 can be a pair of binoculars. Here, too, the above-mentioned Fig. 1 and 3 As stated above, all parts of the long-range optical device can be manufactured using a 3D printing process. In particular, it is advantageous if the housing 13 or contact parts anatomically adapted to a user, such as the eyecups 14, 15 or holding sections of the housing 13, or an operating element 16 in the form of a rotary ring or rotary knob for changing an optical setting, are manufactured using the method according to the invention.

[0062] Out of Fig. 5A section of a housing 17 of a long-range optical device is shown, in which an accessory in the form of a carrying strap 18 is attached to the housing 17. An attachment 19 in the form of a rotary knob serves to attach the carrying strap 18. The carrying strap 18 and the attachment 19 can also be manufactured using the method according to the invention.

[0063] As from Fig. 6 As can be seen, a first interface element 20 designed for connection to the attachment 19 can be arranged on the housing 17, wherein a second interface element 21 connectable to the first interface element can be printed on the attachment according to the shape of the first interface element. It should be noted at this point that the housing 17 can be printed directly or manufactured entirely by 3D printing.

[0064] As from Fig. 7As can be seen, the accessory part can also be a lens cover 23, which can be attached to the housing 17 via a connecting piece 24 on an interface element 25 located on the housing 17 ( Figures 8 and 9 ). The interface element 25 can be designed as a web 26, which is integrated into the housing 17 or a reinforcement 31 thereof. The connecting piece 24 can have a receptacle 27 for the web 26. The receptacle 27 also represents an interface element and, together with the web 26, forms a mechanical interface. Alternatively, the lens cover 23 can be formed integrally with the web 26 and the connecting piece 24. In addition, the connecting piece 24 can be formed integrally with the housing 17 or the reinforcement or a covering of the housing 17, wherein the lens cover 23 can be formed as a separate component.

[0065] Both the housing 17 and / or a reinforcement or a coating of the housing 17 as well as the lens cover 23 as well as the web 26 and the connecting piece 24 can be manufactured by means of 3D printing.

[0066] According to the Fig. 10 In the variant of the invention shown, the long-range optical device 32 produced according to the method according to the invention can also be a telescopic sight. As can be seen from Figure 10 As can be seen, the housing 28 can have a mounting interface 29 for another component, for example the Fig. 11illustrated control unit 30, designed in the form of a ballistic turret. The mounting interface 29 can, for example, be printed on the housing 17. It can also be advantageous if an interface for mounting the telescopic sight to a weapon is printed directly onto the housing or with the housing, wherein the interface is specifically tailored to the weapon used or the intended use or to customer requirements.

[0067] All information on value ranges in this description is to be understood as including any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges starting from the lower limit of 1 and the upper limit of 10, ie all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0068] For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure, some elements have been shown out of scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference symbol list 30 Control panel 1 Long-range optical device 31 reinforcement 2 Control panel 3 Housing part 4 Housing part 5 Eyecup 6 Support part 7 printing device 8 Printer control 9 memory 10 print head 11 reinforcement 12 Long-range optical device 13 Housing 14 Eyecup 15 Eyecup 16 Control element 17 Housing 18 carrying strap 19 Attachment a 20 Interface element 21 Interface element 22 Eyepiece cover 23 lens cover 24 connecting piece 25 Interface element 26 web 27 Recording 28 Housing 29 Mounting interface

Claims

1. A method for producing a long-range optical device (1) - in the form of a binocular or monocular telescope, spotting scope, riflescope, night-vision device or rangefinder, - and for producing a part of the long-range optical device (1) in the form of an accessory part, an operating part or a housing part, - wherein the long-range optical device (1) comprises at least one housing, - wherein the long-range optical device (1) and / or the part of the long-range optical device (1) to be produced is at least partly produced using at least one 3D printing method, - characterized in that at least one model of at least one basic element of the long-range optical device (1) and / or of the part of the long-range optical device (1) to be printed is stored in electronic form, - wherein a 3D printing device is controlled by means of the at least one model stored in electronic form, - wherein in a step i) at least one value of at least one parameter of a surface condition and / or a value of at least one design parameter characterizing the geometry of the at least one part to be printed is selected, - and in a step ii) the at least one part to be printed is printed using the 3D printing method, - wherein a preview of the appearance of the part to be printed is output on a screen on the basis of the parameters selected in step i), - wherein a preview of a combination of the basic element and the part of the long-range optical device (1) to be produced is output on the basis of the parameters selected in step i) and the at least one model of the basic element of the long-range optical device (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the model of the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or the at least one accessory part and / or the at least one operating part or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device that is to be printed is created by determining a surface geometry of at least one part of the long-range optical device that is used as a reference or an accessory part that is used as a reference.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the surface geometry is determined by scanning, in particular contact-free scanning, and / or by means of a triangulation method and / or by means of a molding device.

4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the model of the basic shape of the at least one element of the long-range optical device and / or the at least one accessory part and / or the at least one operating part and / or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device that is to be printed is created as a CAD model and is stored.

5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in step i) the at least one value is selected over a graphical user interface.

6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing of the long-range optical device is produced at least in sections by means of the 3D printing method.

7. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an armoring, in particular a casing, for the housing of the long-range optical device is produced by means of the 3D printing method.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the armoring is produced in at least two pieces and is assembled in a releasable and non-releasable manner via the housing to form one part.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the armoring is produced as a covering part and is pulled over the housing at least in certain sections.

10. The method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the armoring is connected to the housing in a force fitting and / or shape fitting manner.

11. The method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one add-on part for the housing of the long-range optical device is printed and connected to the housing.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one first interface element, which is configured for connecting to the add-on part, is disposed on the housing, wherein at least one second interface element, which can be connected to the at least one first interface element, is printed in accordance with the shape of the at least one first interface element on the add-on part.

13. The method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the at least one operating part is printed as an add-on part, wherein the operating part is configured for changing an optical adjustment of the long-range optical device, in particular for changing a diopter adjustment, a focus or a magnification of the long-range optical device.

14. The method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the at least one operating part is printed as an add-on part in the form of a push button and / or a rotary knob and / or a switch and / or a ballistic turret and / or component of a ballistic turret.

15. The method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one anatomically shaped contact part or holding part, in particular an eye cup and / or a grip and / or a grip shell, of the long-range optical device is produced for a user, wherein in order to produce the contact part an actual anatomical shape of a body part of the user that comes into contact with the long-range optical device is determined, and a contact section of the contact part that rests against the body part when the long-range optical device is used is printed according to the actual anatomical shape.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that a surface geometry of the body part is determined in order to ascertain the actual anatomical shape.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the surface geometry of the body part is determined by scanning, in particular contact-free scanning, and / or by means of a triangulation method and / or by means of a molding device.

18. The method according to one of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that the molding device for molding the body part and / or the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or the at least one accessory part and / or the at least one operating part and / or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device that is to be printed comprises an irreversibly deformable impression body, in particular a molding foam, gel cushion or a gypsum cushion, wherein the impression body is reshaped into a negative shape of the actual shape.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the surface geometry of the at least one body part and / or the at least one basic element of the long-range optical device and / or the accessory part and / or the at least one operating part and / or the at least one other part of the long-range optical device that is to be printed takes place by scanning the impression body.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the surface geometry is determined by scanning the impression body in a contact-free manner, in particular by means of a light slit method.

21. The method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the molding device comprises a force sensitive impression body, in particular an impression body with a force sensor, which converts a force acting on the force sensor into an electrical parameter, in particular a piezoelectric and / or resistive and / or capacitive force sensor.

22. The method according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the impression body comprises an arrangement of touch elements.

23. The method according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the impression body comprises a transparent, elastically deformable volumetric body, wherein triangulation points of the inner surface geometry of the impression body are recorded by an optical scanning device arranged in the impression body interior.

24. The method according to one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that the force sensitive impression body comprises a transparent, non-deformable volumetric body, wherein an impression image of the outer surface of the impression body is recorded by an optical imaging device disposed in the impression body interior.

25. The method according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the housing is printed on directly by means of the 3D printing method.

26. The method according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that a mounting interface for a further component is printed at or on the housing.

27. The method according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the 3D printing method is a free space method or a powder bed method.

28. The method according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the 3D printing method is a free space method with a volume variable material.

29. The method according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the at least one 3D printing method comprises a laser beam melting method and / or an electronic beam melting method and / or a stereolithography method and / or a digital light processing method and / or a polyjet modeling method and / or fused deposition modeling method and / or a multi-jet modeling method and / or a binder jetting method and / or a laser deposition welding method and / or a cold gas spraying method.

30. The method according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the whole long-range optical device is produced by the at least one 3D printing method.

31. The method according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the 3D printing method is carried out in a closed region under different atmospheric conditions, such as pressure, temperature, humidity, gas composition, than those of an ambient atmosphere.