Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPTResearch Projekt "FOSDIGUM"
Innovative, resource-efficient production of optical systems
Miniaturized, high-performance optics can be inserted into small, flexible endoscopes to enhance diagnostic and surgical practice. The production of modern optical systems is highly complex and requires a holistic view of manufacturing tolerances and process steps. Increasingly exacting customer demands in terms of the optical characteristics required in conjunction with the trend to miniaturization are pushing individual process steps up against their physical and technological limits. Consequently, the quality of the optics is frequently impacted and there is a significant amount of scrap. When the individual operations are networked digitally, the outcome is comprehensive optimization of the production process, which enables optical systems to be produced efficiently and with constant, high production capacity.
The aim of the "FOSDIGUM" research project is to develop a digitally and physically networked production environment thereby opening up opportunities for economically-efficient and resource-conserving production of innovative, superior performance optical systems.
Within the project "FOSDIGUM" we achieved the following successes:
- establishing a data interface between ZEMAX and our FEM simulation to close the link between optics design and manufacturing.
- development of a ray tracing tool to track light transmission through lenses with refractive index gradients.
- creating a system for wavefront-based characterization and automation of miniaturized glass lenses.
- extending our ontology to comprehensively capture and describe nominal and measured parameter data of optical components, including functional edges.
- designing and implementing an innovative alignment and assembly process that enables the fabrication of even smaller optical systems.
- overcoming challenges related to microcomponent handling, sensor-driven alignment, and bonding processes.
The achievements of the project help to significantly expand the capabilities and efficiency in optical manufacturing.
Project Consortium
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
- AIXEMTEC GmbH (Germany)
- Hiottu Oy (Finland)
- INGENERIC GmbH (Germany)
- KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG (Germany)
- NomiCam Oy (Finland)
- Photonics Hub GmbH (Germany)
- Senop OY (Finland)
- VTT Oy (Finland)
Project funding
The "FOSDIGUM" research project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the "Internationalization of clusters of excellence, future-oriented projects and comparable networks" support measure.