Vertex Optics leverages leading-edge CNC grinding and polishing technology to produce cylinder lenses and aspheric cylinders (acylinders) from prototypes to production quantities. When creating the ground surface for both cylinders and acylinders, Vertex utilizes the OptiPro eSX 150 CNC optical grinder and OptiSonic 550X ultrasonic machining center. Both machines have 5-axes simultaneous motion, which is an important capability when generating acylinders as the aspheric prescription in the curved surface requires a more complex toolpath. Both machines have one half meter of axis travel to accommodate a range of part sizes: cylinders and acylinders up to 200mm can be generated on the eSX 150, while the OptiSonic 550X can accommodate lenses up to 300mm.
For precision polishing of cylinders and acylinders, Vertex employs the OptiPro UFF 300 and Triumph deterministic polishing machines which incorporate the sub-aperture polishing technology Ultra Form Finishing (UFF). The UFF 300 and Triumph have 5-axis of precise motion control, making them ideal for complex geometries such as cylinders and acylinders. The tooling versatility of the UFF process makes it possible to polish lenses to precision tolerances.
Each machine can take on a variety of materials as well, including all optical glasses, IR & UV crystals, and technical ceramics.