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Abstract 3D printing of optics has gained significant attention in optical industry, but most of the research has been focused on organic polymers. In spite of recent progress in 3D printing glass, 3D printing of precision glass optics for imaging applications still faces challenges from shrinkage during printing and thermal processing, and from inadequate surface shape and quality to meet the requirements for imaging applications. This paper reports a new liquid silica resin (LSR) with higher curing speed, better mechanical properties, lower sintering temperature, and reduced shrinkage, as well as the printing process for high‐precision glass optics for imaging applications. It is demonstrated that the proposed material and printing process can print almost all types of optical surfaces, including flat, spherical, aspherical, freeform, and discontinuous surfaces, with accurate surface shape and high surface quality for imaging applications. It is also demonstrated that the proposed method can print complex optical systems with multiple optical elements, completely removing the time‐consuming and error‐prone alignment process. Most importantly, the proposed printing method is able to print optical systems with active moving elements, significantly improving system flexibility and functionality. The printing method will enable the much‐needed transformational manufacturing of complex freeform glass optics that are currently inaccessible with conventional processes.
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High-speed 3D optical sensing for manufacturing research and industrial sensing applications
This paper presents examples of high-speed 3D optical sensing for research and applications in the manufacturing community. Specifically, this paper will focus on the fringe projection technique as a special technology that can be extremely beneficial to manufacturing applications, given its merits of simultaneous high-speed and high-accuracy 3D surface measurements. This paper will introduce the basic principles of 3D optical sensing based on the fringe projection technique as well as the enabled manufacturing research applications, including both in-situ/in-process monitoring and post-process quality assurance.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2132773
- PAR ID:
- 10392052
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Transactions on Energy Systems and Engineering Applications
- Volume:
- 3
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2745-0120
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1 to 12
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.32397/tesea.vol3.n2.490
