Yighen Ultra Precision: Enabling Proofing and Small Volume Production of Glass Aspheres
Yighen Ultra Precision: Enabling Proofing and Small Volume Production of Glass Aspheres
Glass Aspheric Processing: Yighen Ultra Precision for High Precision Optical Component Manufacturing
In modern optics and precision manufacturing, aspherical optics have become a core component in advancing high-end technology due to their superior optical performance. Compared with traditional spherical lenses, aspherical lenses can significantly reduce aberrations and distortions in optical systems, dramatically improving imaging quality, system compactness and energy utilization. Therefore, they are widely used in high-end optical, laser, aerospace, and cutting-edge scientific research equipment. The performance of glass aspherical components directly affects the efficiency and precision of the entire system and has become the "gold standard" in optical design. However, despite the tremendous value of aspherical components in the industry, their processing difficulty is much greater than that of traditional spherical components, and the processing of glass aspherical surfaces, in particular, is full of challenges.
The difficulty of glass aspherical surface processing is mainly reflected in its complex geometry and high precision requirements. The complex curvature changes of aspheric surfaces require precise shape control through high-precision processing equipment and technology. Traditional cold machining methods are prone to shape deviations and surface defects when dealing with such complex surfaces, making it difficult to meet the stringent optical performance requirements. Although single-point diamond lathes are excellent in certain material processing, they are prone to surface quality degradation when dealing with glass. They cannot meet the demands of high-end optical applications. These technical difficulties make glass aspheric machining a field that requires highly specialized and advanced equipment support. It also highlights the unique value of companies like Yighen Ultra Precision, which has deep technical accumulations in the industry.
Because of the complexity and technical challenges, Yighen Ultra Precision (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. has taken glass aspheric optical processing as one of its core technology directions. It is committed to providing customers with high-precision, high-quality glass aspheric processing solutions. Yighen Ultra Precision understands that overcoming the difficulty of glass aspheric processing is not only a technical breakthrough, but also the key creating value for customers. To this end, Yighen Ultra Precision has successfully solved the problems of shape accuracy, surface quality, and material damage in glass aspheric processing through its research and development and the introduction of world-leading machining equipment (such as the Satisloh SPM-200 Precision Grinder), as well as innovative process technologies (such as magnetorheological polishing). This helps customers shorten the product development cycle and reduces the production cost. Yighen Ultra Precision can efficiently complete the prototyping and small batch production of glass aspherical surfaces with its advanced machining technology and excellent process flow, providing customers with high-quality and high-precision solutions.
Overview of Yighen Ultra Precision's Glass Aspheric Processing Flow
Yighen Ultra Precision's glass aspheric process has been carefully designed to cover every step, from rough preparation to final polishing, to ensure that every product meets the highest standards. Below are our core steps:
1. Approximate Raw Material Processing
The first step in the process starts with the raw material. We use high-performance precision engraving machines to rough out the raw material and quickly and efficiently shape it into a blank close to the target shape. This step significantly reduces the initial error in the material and reduces the difficulty of subsequent precision machining. Through precise control and efficient machining capabilities, we ensure that the geometry of the blank is as close as possible to the design requirements, laying a solid foundation for subsequent processes.
2. Precision Face Grinding
After blank preparation, Yighen Ultra Precision utilizes the industry-leading Satisloh SPM-200 precision grinder to grind aspheric components. Designed for high-precision optical components, this machine offers the following outstanding advantages:
Shape accuracy: PV accuracy of up to 0.5 μm ensures that the aspherical face shape is well-fitted to the design.
Surface roughness: The surface roughness (Ra) after grinding can be controlled at around 50 nm, providing an excellent basis for subsequent polishing processes.
Processing range: It supports the processing of optical components with diameters ranging from 10 mm to 200 mm, covering a wide range of needs from small lenses to medium-sized optical components.
Material compatibility: Highly efficient processing of hard and brittle materials such as fused silica, silicon, and silicon carbide to meet the needs of different application scenarios.
Through the precision grinding of SPM-200, we ensure that the geometry of aspherical components fully meets the design requirements and fully prepare for the subsequent surface polishing.
3. Ultra-light surface polishing
On top of precision grinding, Yighen Ultra Precision further utilizes magnetorheological polishing (MRF) or conventional optical polishing equipment to ultra-lighten the component surface. After the polishing process is completed:
Surface roughness: Ra value can be reduced to less than 7nm, fully meeting high-end optical applications' stringent surface quality requirements.
Optical performance: The surface smoothness is significantly improved, effectively reducing the scattering and absorption phenomena in the optical system and further optimizing the optical performance of the components.
Through this series of precision machining steps, Yighen Ultra Precision ensures that every glass aspherical element meets the highest standards, providing customers with superior performance and reliable optical solutions. Whether it's a complex curved surface design or stringent optical performance requirements, we deliver with expertise and rigour.
Processed Materials
Yighen Ultra Precision has demonstrated excellent multi-material handling capabilities in glass aspheric machining. It can flexibly respond to a wide range of material processing needs. Materials we are skilled in processing include, but are not limited to: fused silica, with excellent optical transparency and high-temperature resistance, ideal for laser and UV optics; optical glass, for all types of optics from conventional to high-precision; silicon carbide, with its extreme hardness and excellent heat resistance, the preferred choice for optics applications in extreme environments; and metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel) for all-in-one optical and structural design for versatile integration. Whether super-hard materials or metals, Yighen Ultra Precision provides customers with high-precision, high-quality machining results thanks to specialized equipment and superb craftsmanship, ensuring that every product meets the most demanding technical requirements.
Areas of Application
Yighen Ultra Precision's glass aspheric machining technology is widely used in various high-tech fields, providing strong technical support for the development of the industry. Our technology is used in high-end optical instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, and spectrometers, significantly improving the quality and precision of imaging. Yighen Ultra Precision's processing results in laser systems become the core optical components of laser cutting and laser measurement equipment, ensuring efficient and stable performance. In aerospace, precision optical aspherical components play a key role in space cameras and satellite optical systems, helping to explore the wider universe. In addition, Yighen Ultra Precision's machining technology provides reliable performance for key optical components in scientific research equipment, such as high-energy laser experimental devices. Our technology not only meets the needs of diverse applications but also promotes the innovation and development of related industries.
Yighen Ultra Precision Technology Advantages and Industry Value
Yighen Ultra Precision is capable of efficiently prototyping and small-lot production of glass aspheric components through advanced equipment (e.g., the Satisloh SPM-200 precision grinder) and innovative process technology. The SPM-200's high-precision shape machining capability (PV accuracy of 0.5 μm) and high-quality surface pretreatment (Ra≈50 nm) provide an excellent processing foundation for optical components provides the basis for excellent processing. Meanwhile, the subsequent ultra-light polishing further ensures the final product's optical performance. We know we can only provide our customers with better services by constantly overcoming technical difficulties and helping the industry achieve higher goals. With this technical strength and mission, Yighen Ultra Precision has become a leader in the field of optical aspherical processing.
Whether facing the high precision needs of complex aspherical surfaces or the challenges of machining a wide range of hard and brittle materials, Yighen Ultra Precision has always provided first-class aspherical solutions with the customer in mind. We firmly believe that through continuous technological innovation and the relentless pursuit of quality, Yighen Ultra Precision will become the backbone of the optical industry and work hand in hand with customers to create a new chapter in the future of optics.
