Replicative Manufacturing of Polymer Optics in a Digitalized Environment

Networking production machines digitally and physically can bring about considerable increases in output in many areas of industry, including the optical sector and especially in the production of high-precision components. Efficiency is achieved when not only individual processes but also up- and downstream interactions and mechanisms across the entire process chain are fine-tuned to one another.

At the Fraunhofer IPT, the necessary digitalized production infrastructure is being set up and tested — encompassing all steps of optics production — and it is fully digitally networked. With the Aachen Center for Optics Production ACOP, the Fraunhofer IPT will subsequently establish a center of excellence in digital optics manufacturing, together with partners from the optical industry.

In this presentation, Rojacher will focus on optical systems made from polymer. She will describe the process chain consisting of mold manufacturing, molding, measurement, and assembly, as well as show the possibilities for and opportunities of digitalized and networked processes.