Optimization of lens designer to manufacturer communications

1 . The results of an industry-wide survey on the cost impact of different tolerance levels will be presented. This is in effect a couprehensive update of the now lOyear old John Plununer table (SPIE Vol. 181 P. 92) plus additional new material relating to the overall subject The survey forms were sent to nearly 100 optics manufacturers in the U. S. and Canada. The survey results indicate the relative cost impact of requiring increasingly tighter tolerances from relatively loose tolerances (such as the impact of going from inches in diameter to 0. 00008 in diameter). The parameters to be included are: . dn . sn . centerthickness thickness ratio fringes of power Iirregulazity surface finish number of elements on a block Knoop hardness edge thickness (wedge) coating specifications radius 1dianterratio In addition a series of interesting and revealing questions were posed to manufacturers such as " what are your three BIGGEST gripes with lens designers among others. The results of this survey will be summarized. 2. Lens designers are often faced with many cost driving tradeoffs and decisions. A discussion of some of these tradeoffs in a clear and easy to understand fashion will also be presented. Topics to be included are: small air spaces -cennted versus air spaced doublets glass selection tradeoffs relative to availability and other properties