Abstract

Traditionally, for either conventional or high-speed processes, pitch is used to "block" or fasten a lens onto a holding fixture for optical polishing. Both blocking the lens for polishing and unblocking the lens for testing or further processing, is a time consuming and messy operation. A new, more efficient blocking technique has been devised which holds the lens in a plastic retaining ring, supported by a molded urethane lens seat. The adhesion between the lens surface and the urethane seat is sufficient to hold the lens stationary during polishing. Since no heat or lens cleaning is required for this process, a lens can be blocked and unblocked in seconds, reducing costs and simplifying testing. Details and applications for the process will be discussed in this paper.

© 1987 Optical Society of America