Geometric Characterization of Optical Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing optical objectives require completion of the manufacturing process before quality assessment, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage due to late-stage validation, which does not allow for timely adjustments or improvements in the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A geometric characterization method that estimates optical interface parameters of a target optical objective using a trained geometric characterization model, allowing for pre-manufacturing quality assessment by determining an assembly set of optical elements and providing an estimated geometric set, enabling adjustments during the design phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional post-manufacturing testing methods are used, then quality assessment accuracy is improved, but production time and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing geometric characterization of optical elements before they are assembled into the complete optical objective. The system measures and records geometric parameters of individual optical elements during the manufacturing process, enabling quality assessment to occur in advance of final assembly and traditional testing, thus reducing post-manufacturing rework and time loss.
2Measurement precision
If traditional post-manufacturing testing methods are used, then quality assessment accuracy is improved, but resource wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing geometric characterization during the manufacturing process rather than after completion, the system identifies defective optical elements before they are fully assembled. This preliminary detection prevents waste of materials, labor, and resources that would otherwise be spent on assembling and then discarding substandard optical objectives.
3Productivity
If geometric characterization is performed during manufacturing, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the quality assessment process into two parts: geometric characterization of individual optical elements during manufacturing, and final optical performance testing after assembly. The geometric characterization measures physical dimensions and positions of individual elements with high precision using dedicated measurement devices, while the final MTF testing validates overall optical performance, thus maintaining measurement precision while improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for optical characterization of a target optical objective to be manufactured by stacking several optical elements, the method including a characterization phase of the following steps:determining an assembly including, for each element at least one characteristic parameter of the optical element; andproviding, as a function of the assembly set, an estimated geometric set, including data relating to at least one geometric parameter of at least one optical interface of the stack, by a geometric characterization model trained beforehand with a database, called training database, of training sets constituted based on optical objectives with architecture identical to that of the target objective, and further relates toa device for geometric characterization of optical objectives implementing such a geometric characterization method and to a method and a system for the manufacture of optical objectives implementing such a characterization method or device.