Applications of automation in optical manufacturing process chain: grinding, polishing, and metrology

Mitchell Sedore

doi:10.1117/12.2602846

28 October 2021 Applications of automation in optical manufacturing process chain: grinding, polishing, and metrology

Mitchell Sedore

Proceedings Volume 11889, Optifab 2021; 118890Z (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2602846
Event: SPIE Optifab, 2021, Rochester, New York, United States

Abstract

With labor shortages and difficulty in getting experienced technicians, automation provides an opportunity to increase production and efficiency with a dwindling labor pool. Repetitive tasks such as machine tending, and cleaning parts are easily automated with a robot to free up technicians to perform other more demanding tasks. These repetitive tasks can be boring, fatiguing, menial, and can lead to worker burnout. Automating these tasks can improve working conditions and worker morale. Automation increases production rate and productivity. By communicating directly with the machines, a robot can reduce reaction time between processes, reducing downtime. Automation provides consistency and opportunity to run lights out, 3 shifts or over weekends, without breaks, increasing machine up time and throughput. It also reduces labor cost by reducing the number of employees required to hit production numbers. This labor savings results in a quicker return on investment. To help customers automate, OptiPro offers an “off the shelf” Pro-loader solution, as well as customized solutions to meet any required demands. The Pro-loader is a rollup automation cart that connects to OptiPro machines for easy setup. OptiPro has integrated the robot into the machine software to allow it to mimic an operator’s keystrokes and run programs the same way an operator would. This also gives flexibility in running many part geometries that the machine can produce. OptiPro has also developed cells which combine multiple machines such as a generator, polisher, cleaning stations, and even metrology to produce completed part surfaces.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Mitchell Sedore "Applications of automation in optical manufacturing process chain: grinding, polishing, and metrology", Proc. SPIE 11889, Optifab 2021, 118890Z (28 October 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2602846

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