Tips for Designing Manufacturable Lenses and Assemblies

A successful lens design succeeds not only in the creation of a working model but also in manufacturing, assembly, testing, and implementation. Occasionally, a lens may appear to succeed in conception but fail in one of the subsequent phases of manufacturing, assembly, or testing. For this reason, it is imperative to recognize the nuances of optical manufacturing, paying careful attention to the statistical assumption of models and manufacturing practicality. Designers must consider the individual lens element geometry, the assembly setup, and the tolerancing models when creating an optic from scratch.