Optomechanical engineering, the synthesis of optics and mechanical engineering, is essential to advancing a wide range of optical technologies. As optical devices become more complex, powerful, and precise, this challenges optomechanical engineers to achieve greater accuracy and control over their design and production processes. As a premier manufacturer of laser-aligned optical components and assemblies, OSE Optics offers a complete range of optomechanical services to ensure that your system meets your exact specifications and performance requirements.
What Is Optomechanical Engineering?
Optomechanical engineering is a subspecialization of mechanical engineering dedicated to advanced optical systems. Such systems typically require precision accuracy in both the design and end products down to the submicron level to ensure effective performance and optimal function. Alignment and tight tolerances are particularly important in optomechanical system engineering and manufacturing, as well. To achieve this, manufacturers use what’s called an optical bench, mounting fixed reflective or refractive optic elements to this structure and holding the components in perfect alignment. In other cases, optomechanical engineering will allow for optical component motion, making such products as multi-axis gimbaled mirrors or devices for focusing possible.
Optomechanical Engineering Services at OSE
OSE provides comprehensive optics engineering and custom manufacturing backed by our state-of-the-art facilities and advanced quality controls. We combine leading laser alignment systems, our world-class cleanroom facilities, and precision manufacturing processes to carry out numerous optomechanical services, including:
- Optical system design: Our team creates complete designs that incorporate all optical and mechanical system requirements.
- Development of optical alignment: We ensure precision alignment of all optical elements for optimal performance.
- Optical tolerancing: This analysis determines appropriate tolerance windows. Tolerancing can also detect alignment errors or manufacturing defects and how they affect optical performance.
- Athermalization design: OSE can evaluate the impact of shifting temperatures on optical system performance.
- Finite element analysis (FEA): Using computer-aided tools, our optomechanical engineers can predict the ways in which external factors like temperature will affect optics.
- Structural analysis: We carry out a structural analysis to determine how much force and vibration optical components can endure before such external factors negatively impact system performance.
- Mechanical design of optomechanics: OSE designs housings, mounts, and holders while keeping the optomechanics of mirrors, lenses, and related optical devices in mind.
- Optical instrument development: Our team can help develop optical instruments for successful microscopy, spectroscopy, and imaging processes.
- Electronics integration: We can combine optomechanical devices with electronics to make sensors, photodetectors, and cameras possible.
- Manufacturability analysis: Our engineers will help you evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of your optomechanical designs before you invest resources in production.
- Packaging design: To optimize performance and safeguard against misalignment and damage, OSE offers custom packaging to protect optical devices during storage and shipment.
- Reliability and lifetime testing: By offering reliability and lifetime testing services, we can estimate the lifespan of optomechanical systems and judge their durability by exposing them to various use cases.
Industries Served and Common Applications
Our expert team of designers, engineers, and technicians leverage multi-industry experience and robust academic R&D partnerships to support our optical technology customers. OSE serves the optomechanical manufacturing needs of some of the most demanding industries, producing optical assemblies for such applications as:
- Defense: Defense, tactical, avionics, and ruggedized optics; military and thermal imaging systems; laser and infrared defense systems; and precision lenses for the military
- Medical: Medical, biomedical, photodynamic therapy, endoscopic, and ophthalmic optics; medical microscopy; medical lasers; and optical imaging
- Life sciences: Life science and biomedical optics, biological microscopy, bioanalysis spectroscopy, biophotonic devices, and biosensors
- Industrial: Industrial, laser processing, and 3D scanning optics; thermal and high-speed imaging optics; optical sorting systems; machine vision; and industrial spectroscopy
Contact OSE for Precision Optomechanical Engineering
Successful optomechanical engineering depends on precision design and manufacturing to ensure proper optical component alignment and function. This requires a deep understanding of diverse optical solutions and a mastery of numerous complex technologies to achieve durable and reliable optical systems built for accuracy even under rugged conditions.
From the design of a single optical component through the precision manufacturing of a final optical assembly or system, we have the expertise, advanced equipment, and service capabilities to fulfill our clients’ highly varied optomechanical needs. To learn more about OSE’s commitment to advanced optomechanical engineering, contact us for your optics design and manufacturing project.