CNC manufacturing
ELDIM’s optical lab processes all types of materials and shapes with high precision, from single prototypes to large series.
What is CNC manufacturing ?
ELDIM uses CNC manufacturing to produce a wide range of components. CNC technology streamlines the mass production of lenses.
ELDIM’s optical workshop offers extensive manufacturing capabilities for optical components, from prototypes to mass production, using advanced CNC systems and skilled technicians for high precision results.
CNC manufacturing steps :
- Grinding
- Polishing
- Diamond Turning
- Magneto-Rheological Finishing MRF
- Edging
Grinding
CNC grinding in optics ensures precise surfaces and tolerances for high-precision. Guarantee fast and precise machining and rough-cutting in terms of shape and surface condition. Same for prototype and large series.
Our machines allow aspherical, spherical, plane and free form surface and covers a wide range of diameter from 5 to 200mm.
In optics, CNC grinding, is adaptable to materials such as glass, crystals. It enables processes to meet optical requirements and, with its precision and repeatability, is driving technological advances in various industries.
We select grinding equipment to ensure excellent performance across a range of applications, each designed to effectively meet specific grinding requirements.
Polishing
Polishing at ELDIM in CNC manufacturing has increased precision and efficiency by reducing machining time, improving productivity, streamlining workflows, and enhancing product quality. Automated CNC polishing ensures consistent high-quality results important for precision-sensitive industries.
The ELDIM polishing center provides polishing services for components ranging and for industries such as aerospace, military, and medical devices.
Our equipments can produce lenses with accurate curvature and smoothness, ensuring exceptional image quality. We have the capability to polish lenses of different sizes, ranging from small optics to impressive diameters of 500 mm. With our equipment, we guarantee consistent outcomes across various optical materials and shapes to fulfill diverse specifications.
Diamond turning
Diamond turning is a precision manufacturing process in optics that uses a diamond tool to shape materials such as tungsten carbide. This allows a surface roughness of less than 5 nanometers Sa and form an accuracy of 0.15 micrometers P-V for high-quality optical components.
Our laser assistance improves the process by preheating or softening materials, increasing efficiency, and enabling precise machining of difficult materials.
MRF : Magnetorheological Finishing
MRF (Magneto-Rheological Finishing) at ELDIM is an advanced technology that uses an electromagnet, a rotating wheel, and a magneto-rheological fluid with particles to polish prototypes and components. The polishing rate is based on the time spent in the fluid rather than the positioning of the workpiece.
ELDIM uses QED Technologies’ MRF systems for precise finishing of spherical, aspherical, and plano optics. Magnetorheological fluid is applied to a moving spherical wheel as a polishing tool under a magnetic field. Surface imperfections are evaluated by interferometry, and the finishing process is automated based on the position of the workpiece during polishing.
Key features of ELDIM’s MRF technology :
- Turnkey system with high processing speed
- Capable of finishing different types of surface, accuracy for spherical, aspherical or planar surfaces can reach λ/20 in minutes (can get a better precision if needed)
- Improves surface integrity
- Handles optics from 8 to 200 mm in diameter
- Suitable for concave and convex surfaces with specific radius of curvature
- Efficient for precise, high quality finishes in optical manufacturing.
Edging
CNC technology in optical labs is essential for precise lens production. CNC edging improves lens accuracy, finish, and production speed, meeting the demand for high quality lenses and driving innovation in optical manufacturing.
Our centering machine is characterized by high process flexibility with a wide working range from 5 to 300 mm.
This edging machine in our optical lab further enhances our precision and efficiency in lens production. This advanced equipment uses technology to ensure that our lenses meet the most demanding requirements.
