Project with the Technical University of Braunschweig
[13.11.2023]
For the production of highly complex optical elements, such as prismatic beam splitters, which have a very high lateral aspect ratio and which also need to be manufactured in as stressfree a manner as possible, precise multi-stage temperature control within the injection moulding cavity, with differing temperature zones, is required during the production process.
For this purpose, the moulding process is carried out as a variothermal injection-compression moulding process. The injection process is accompanied by an embossing process and the temperature in the cavity is controlled variably over time according to the requirements of the component.
Due to the complex process control, cycle times of 15-20 minutes are not uncommon, especially for larger components.
In order to significantly reduce the production time per part at this stage and also to further push the limits of the complexity of man-ufacturable components, newlydeveloped process technology is being implemented at IMOS with the aim of producing even more complex optical components with the shortest possible process times.
OPTICS EXPLAINED:
Prismatic splitters
Beam splitter optics have the task of directing the incident light of a specific wavelength into beam paths in different directions. In this, some of the beams are reflected and some are transmitted. These optics are manufactured as plates or as special prismatic elements. Especially in the case of prismatic special parts, it is important to manufacture mutually parallel, effective optical surfaces with particular precision.
The plate optics direct and divide the light in different directions
Using its own specially-developed process technology, IMOS manufactures beam splitters precisely to the specified angular dimension, so that each partial beam exhibits the same quality. Due to their high level of precision, the optical components are suitable for use in light and laser applications, e.g. for distance measurement.
