Optical Materials Machining

Ultra-Precision Machining for Glass, Plastic, and Metal Optical Components

Yighen Ultra Precision offers advanced optical materials machining services, covering a wide range of materials including optical glass, polymers, and metals. Our capabilities span from prototype development to high-volume production, supporting demanding optical applications across AR/VR, medical, automotive, aerospace, and photonics industries.

🧪 Full Spectrum Material Expertise

We specialize in the ultra-precision processing of:

🔹 Optical Glass

• BK7, fused silica, borosilicate, quartz

• Infrared materials: germanium, silicon, ZnSe, ZnS, CaF₂, MgF₂

• Specialty glass for aspheric, freeform, and prism optics

• PV < 0.3 μm, Ra < 5 nm achievable on fluorite and hard brittle materials

• DLC-coated tools with inert gas protection reduce tool wear and surface contamination

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🔹 Optical Plastics

• Standard resins: PMMA, PC, COP

• High-performance resins: APEL, MR-8, CR-39, ZEONEX, TOPAS, E48R

• Ideal for rapid prototyping and short-run production

• SPDT machining ensures excellent surface quality and minimal birefringence

• Surface accuracy and shape retention without heat-induced distortion

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🔹 Optical Metals

• Hardened stainless steel mold cores (nickel-free)

• Aluminum and copper for mirror systems

• Ultra-precision cutting for lens arrays, TIR structures, lightpipes, and complex tooling

• PV accuracy < 0.2 µm; Ra < 8 nm

• Custom algorithm for injection molding shrinkage compensation

⚙️ Cutting-Edge Equipment

Our optical machining centers include:

• Nanotech 650FG/250/200 (USA): Freeform and ultra-precision turning (Ra < 3 nm)

• Toshiba ULC/ULG/UVM series (Japan): SPDT & ultra-fine grinding for lens mold cores

• DLC Coating Systems: Extend tool life ×3, reduce contamination

• 3D Metrology: ZEISS, TRIOPTICS, Zygo interferometers for full-surface QC

🔍 Quality-Driven Process

Every machining project at Yighen follows a closed-loop quality assurance process:

1. Material selection: Based on optical, thermal, and structural performance

2. Design-for-manufacturing (DfM): Verified with simulation and tolerancing

3. Precision machining: In temperature-controlled cleanroom environments

4. Surface metrology & inspection: Nanometer-level measurement

5. Documentation & traceability: Full production records upon request

🛠 Typical Optical Elements We Machine

• Aspheric lenses (glass or polymer)

• Cylindrical & spherical lenses

• Fresnel and freeform optics

• Beam shapers, light pipes, TIR optics

• Custom optical mirrors, prisms, and windows

• High-precision filters, reflectors, and coatings

• Mold cores for plastic optics production

🌍 Global Applications

Our optical materials machining solutions support mission-critical systems in:

• Consumer electronics: Camera lens modules, AR headsets, biometric sensors

• Medical optics: Endoscopes, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmic lenses

• Automotive & LiDAR: TIR lenses, beam splitters, wide-FOV optics

• Aerospace & defense: IR windows, high-tolerance prism assemblies

• Scientific instruments: Interferometers, spectrometers, fiber optics

📌 Why Choose Yighen

✅ Over 36 patents in optical manufacturing
✅ In-house mold core design and rapid prototyping
✅ Proven precision: PV < 0.1 µm, Ra < 2 nm
✅ Dedicated nano-machining center with international R&D team
✅ Optical modeling + material processing = Total system control

🛠 Precision Across Materials. Consistency Across Batches.

Whether you need nanometer-level surface finish on infrared glass, diamond-turned aspheres in COP or PMMA, or ultra-flat aluminum mirrors — we’ve done it.

Our facility supports advanced machining across optical glass, plastics, and metals, using best-fit technologies for each substrate. From prototyping to volume production, precision is always at the core.

🔵 Request a Machining Quote
📩 Tell us your material, specs, and quantity — we’ll respond within 24 hours.

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Want to compare tolerances and surface roughness specs by material?
📄 Download Our Equipment & Process Sheet

Curious how we match the right process to the right material?
👤 Learn More About Yighen

🔗 Related Content

• 🧪 Prototyping Optical Components
  Fast turnaround and tight tolerances — across PMMA, PC, ZEONEX, CR-39, and more.

• 📏 Optical Metrology & Testing
  Validate machining quality down to nanometer roughness and submicron form error.

• ⚙️ Opto-Mechanical Design Services
  Ensure your machined optical parts integrate perfectly into your system.

• 🛠️ Optical Mass Production
  Ready to scale? We support consistent quality from pilot runs to thousands of pieces.