We are a world leader in high precision optical manufacturing, delivering custom optics to a wide range of innovators around the globe. Meeting these goals demands the right people. Teamwork, adaptability, and an enthusiastic approach to problem-solving are central to the Optimax culture. But what unites all our employees best is a hunger to continuously learn. We strive to find driven individuals who are committed to lifelong learning; who will continue to add value in their work throughout long and successful careers.
PRODUCTS & CAPABILITIES
Freeform Lens
Optical designers and integrators choose Optimax freeforms because our quality and reliability are second-to-none. We offer high-precision freeform optical shapes which have small footprints and lighter profiles, enabling reduced system complexity.
With an expansive team of technical experts, Optimax is one of the largest leading producers of freeform optics, combining optimal grinding and smoothing technologies to fabricate precise components with positional and mid-spatial frequency errors.
This allows us to take on the most challenging projects and we can generate high precision freeforms for UV, Visible and IR applications using proprietary techniques for low scatter surfaces.
REQUEST A QUOTE
Our quotes are structured to offer standard pricing and delivery – quicker delivery options are available upon request.
LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS
Discover how Optimax is changing the future of optics, and view our extensive library of resources.
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are looking for individuals that are committed to lifelong learning and creating value through their hard work.
What are Freeform Optics?
Freeform optics have been gaining popularity with lens designers for years. They empower optical designers to create more compact systems which weigh less than traditional optics while enabling them with greater flexibility. Freeform optical shapes are a doorway into a world of innovation, and Optimax is primed to help designers to take advantage of their unique capabilities.
FLATS / PLANOS
No curvature
Radial symmetry
SPHERES
Constant radius
Radial symmetry
ASPHERES
Varying radius
Radial symmetry
FREEFORMS
Non-constant curvature
Little to no symmetry
Types of Freeforms
We have leveraged our advanced manufacturing technology to develop a variety of different types of freeform optical shapes and lenses, including.
The most common types of freeforms now are mild, wild and extreme.
The difference between these three is size, shape and measurability.
MILD
WILD
EXTREME
Specifying Freeform Optics
Freeform optical shapes or surfaces are designed with little to no symmetry. As with highly complex aspheres, freeform optical design is influenced by local slope change and surface form, particularly when it comes to the complexity of the shape and the manufacturing process used. Freeform optical shapes are typically more complex than aspheres, and are considered by many to be the next generation for optical systems. The experienced team of optical fabricators at Optimax can work with equations, cloud of points, and/or robust 3D models. Although the demands of freeform optical manufacturing are extremely complicated, we have years of experience and accumulated technical know-how at our disposal. We are uniquely capable of rapidly delivering as specified freeforms with complex geometries in small, lightweight formats.
Manufacturing Freeform Optics
Our precision engineering and measurement capabilities allow us to tolerance strict limits for freeform surfaces, enabling the generation of mild, wild, and extreme surfaces. At Optimax, we work to ensure our collaborations are innovatively driven, meaning we are continuously looking for new ways to measure, specify, and tolerance freeform surfaces.
Learn more about the careful consideration given to manufacturing tolerances, the iterative process of deriving those tolerances, and general freeform manufacturing limits.
FIND THE OPTIC SPECIFICATIONS RIGHT FOR YOUR NEEDS:
Freeforms Manufacturing Limits Freeforms Tolerancing Limits Manufacturing Tolerance ChartTechnical Expertise
Do you want to learn more about freeform optics? Refer to our Knowledge Centre to read technical papers on the fabrication of freeform optics, the challenges inherent in scaling-up freeform optical design, and how Optimax can help you overcome those challenges.
Manufacturing the Future
At Optimax, we are manufacturing the future, creating the highest precision freeform optics underlying high-tech systems in key markets and applications. We offer rapid and expedited delivery upon request and are committed to our customers in the long term.
Submit an RFQ to start building your relationship with one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of freeform optical shapes.