Optics
Molded Asphers
A world leader in precision molded aspheric lenses
Molded Aspheres
LightPath’s glass molding technology has enabled high volume production of aspheric optics while maintaining the highest quality at an affordable price. Because molding is the most consistent and economical way to produce aspheres in large volumes, LightPath has perfected this method to offer the most precise aspheric lens available. LightPath offers standard and custom-made lenses, all designed by our expert optical design engineers.
Molded IR Lenses
- Based on materials from our Chalcogenide Glass Manufacturing
- Fast turn around of prototypes
- Easily transition from prototype phase to high-volume production
- Molded lenses can be coated with our proprietary DLC protective coating
Molding Process
LightPath utilizes a process called compression molding to create precision molded aspheric optics. This process utilizes precision tooling and components in a controlled environment to produce high precision optics cost effectively and in very high volumes. In glass compression molding, a glass “preform” (typically a sphere) is heated to a softening point and compressed between two precision manufactured molds to shape the lens into its final form.
Materials
Lightpath produces molded aspherical lenses and molded freeform lenses out of a variety of materials. The Abbe chart below depicts materials that LightPath most recommends using, as well as additional materials that could be used for molded optics.
