Where to Buy Free Form Optics

At Avantier, we produce custom freeform optics for cutting-edge applications in industry, defense, research, and medicine. We specialize in custom freeform optics design and manufacturing solutions for imaging, catering to single prototypes and bulk production alike.

A freeform optic is defined as one that has at least one surface with no translational or rotational symmetry about any axes that are normal to the mean plane. In practice, this means that freeform systems may be free from any constraints of symmetry.

Manufacturing processes:

• Unique challenges due to non-rotational symmetry.
• Utilizes state-of-the-art CNC optical grinding technology.
• Begins with roughing out the surface using CNC technology and diamond turning.
• Involves rough and fine grinding followed by sub-aperture polishing.
• Rigorous metrology checks ensure compliance with standards.
• Substrate options include metal, plastic, and various optical materials like germanium, calcium fluoride, etc.

LightForge™ is a low-cost rapid fabrication service giving optical designers the ability to create innovative new freeform surfaces, test new ideas and verify designs for production without incurring expensive upfront engineering charges and lengthy prototyping lead times. LightForge™ can be used to create a wide range of refractive optical elements, from beam transformers and microlens arrays, to unique components such as diode laser smile correctors and wavefront compensator phaseplates, to completely custom surface shapes.