OPTICAL ASSEMBLIES
Andover Corporation has decades of experience building optical assemblies and subassemblies. Our combination of in-house precision machine shop and extensive metrology department gives us the ability to fabricate, assemble and test a variety of optical assemblies.
Optical Assembly Expertise
Our in-house optical assembly capabilities and expertise include:
- Design for manufacturing and assembly
- Optical interface optimization
- 3D Printing for Prototyping
- Fixture design and development
- Electronics integration
- CNC machining of mating components
- Optical bonding and contacting
- Laser alignment capabilities
- Functional testing
Opto-Mechanical Assemblies
We've incorporated a wide range of crystal and metal optics into opto-mechanical assemblies. Given our long-standing experience in the defense industry, our opto-mechanical assemblies meet demanding alignment and dimensional tolerance requirements and perform in challenging environmental conditions. Among the assemblies we've delivered are:
- Multi-element beam splitters
- Metal mirror assemblies with integrated journals or bearings
- Mounted crystals for positioning
- Laser optic assemblies
- Mounted transmission and reference flats
- Reflective telescope assemblies
Optical Design Optimization
Building on our custom manufacturing expertise, we can help you optimize optical and opto-mechanical designs for cost reduction, ease of assembly, and superior system performance. Our engineering and operations teams have a deep knowledge of material selection, substrate fabrication techniques, and optical component processing. Our design optimization services include:
- Material Selection. We can help you select the most appropriate base material for your application depending on the performance and assembly requirements.
- Surface Treatment Guidance. We routinely help our customers pick the best plating process, thin-film coating, or other surface treatment. Selecting the right coating for finished optics is a complex process that needs to account for wavelength operating ranges, laser damage thresholds, and environmental conditions.
- Geometry Refinement. We help define part geometries that can minimize weight and assembly distortion of the optical component when mounted into its structure. Geometry refinement can also help reduce the machining time and tooling required to finish the optical blank.
- Packaging Design. We can help design finished component packaging for cost-effective protection of optics during transport. Packaging options range from one-off specialty cases to mass packaging with reusable materials.
- Testing. We offer testing services, including accelerated aging, to support design development and predict product lifecycles.
Andover has complete in-house mechanical and optical design capabilities to enable us to design products to solve your unique problem. We can design and build assemblies for use on the ground, in the air, or in space.
Contact one of our technical sales staff for more information.
