In the last few decades, molding has become the dominant optical manufacturing process around the world, although one could hardly tell in the United States. It is the authors’ hope that the concept of a Field Guide to provide a convenient and concise source of knowledge on optical molding technologies will be a valuable addition to the publication base.
The most common optical molding technologies are injection molding of optical plastics and precision glass molding. This guide primarily focuses on these two technologies but also covers the full spectrum of optical molding. Molding processes continue to innovate and push the boundaries of optical systems, not only for state-of-the-art, high-volume consumer products, but also touching on almost every application where optics are used, from automotive headlights and medical endoscopes to thermal weapon sights.
This work would not have been possible without the support of the team at LightPath Technologies Inc., who the author (A.S.) wholeheartedly believes are the world’s experts in precision glass molding.
This book is dedicated to my family: Lauren, Carter, Cooper, and Holden for their support; to my parents for making me who I am today; and to Yanggiong ‘Alvin’ Lai, a good friend and a great engineer, who was taken from us way too soon. A.S.
This Field Guide is dedicated to Elsa, Shadow, Shira, and Patinhas. M.S.
Alan Symmons
Michael Schaub
May 2016