Glass polishing
Alien Photonics superior polishing service for optical components ensures high surface quality and minimal transmitted wavefront distortion. We prioritize surface quality and flatness for windows, optical substrates, prisms and lenses.
When you might want to (re)polish?
- Damage Repair or Coating Removal. If you noticed large scratch or if you need remove optical coating (damaged, not performing, etc.) from element.
- Specifications changes or improvement. You want to improve surface parameters (reflected and transmitted wavefront distortion, surface quality) of your substrates.
- Coating Preparation. High surface quality is often desired, since after thick coatings small surface defects can become worse. To avoid quality assurance failures, Alen Photonics suggest to use at least slightly better polishing quality than required.
Why CNC lens polishing?
Alien Photonics precision lenses are produced using CNC glass polishing technology, which is superior to molding technology because of better surface quality, thermal stability and beam consistency. However, Alien Photonics also offers molded lenses which perfectly fits in applications where forementioned parameters less critical, but cost is primary concern. When comparing to traditional sphere-based polishing, CNC polishing is more expensive but more precise, and definitely more suitable when high precision is needed. We hope that polishing comparison table below will help you to make a decision. If you still have questions, please contact us for free consultation!
Comparison of polishing technologies
| CNC Polishing | Molding | Traditional Polishing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Employs CNC for precision shaping | Shaping by heating and pressing | Traditional mechanical polishing tools and techniques. |
| Advantages | High precision, complex shapes, custom designs | Cost-effective for large batches. Consistent quality | Simple technology, cost-effective method for standard lenses. |
| Disadvantages | High cost, for small batches | Not flexible, tied to mold availability | Lower tolerances, limited shapes. |
| Speed | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Low price per unit (small batch) | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Low price per unit (large batch) | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Alien Photonics Products | Aspherical and Conical Lenses | Aspherical lenses | Spherical (PCX, PCV, BCX, BCV); Cylindrical (PCX, PCV); Meniscus (Positive and Negative) |
Need a Complex shape?
Alien Photonics optical components are not limited to rectangular or round shapes. We provide optics in hexagon, ellipse and other forms, with holes, custom bevels, etc...
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