Ross Optical Blog: The Latest News & Research

How Aspheres Reduce Optical System Complexity and Aberrations

Many optical designers have found aspheric lenses to be an optimal solution when conventional spherical optics fall short. In applications such as medical devices and instrumentation,  scanners, zoom and range-finding optical systems, and handheld image capture devices, aspheres are often the key to more compact, higher-performing optical designs.

Key Takeaways:

• Standard optics allow engineers to rapidly prototype and validate semiconductor inspection concepts.
• Catalog components help reduce development risk, shorten design cycles, and lower upfront engineering costs.
•  Once performance requirements are established, custom optics can optimize throughput, resolution, and manufacturability.
• Ross Optical supports development from prototype through production with engineering, fabrication, coating, assembly, and inspection services.

When designing an optical system, choosing to use stock optics or investing in a custom solution can impact performance, development timelines, manufacturing costs, and long-term scalability.

While most applications can be serviced with stock lenses, leveraging custom options can be beneficial depending on the application. In general, stock optics are ideal for prototyping, proof-of-concept work, and many low-volume production applications, while custom optics are often preferred when performance, packaging constraints, environmental requirements, or production volumes justify a purpose-built design.

Understanding the trade-offs and partnering with an experienced optical manufacturer like Ross Optical can help engineers and product developers choose the right optic based on your project requirements.

For decades, Ross Optical has been guided by a commitment to precision, innovation, and customer service. Today, we announce an important leadership transition as Divi Mangadu retires and Erika Salayandia steps into the Director of Operations role to help guide the company's future and continue delivering exceptional customer service.

When a tightened spec produces parts at half the yield, the shop didn't get worse. The spec moved past what the supplier's process can produce — at the design table, before the part ever hit the bench. The tightening looked free on the print; the cost arrives at first article inspection as yield loss for the parts that don't meet the tightened requirement.

Understanding the Fundamentals of 4f Systems

The 4f optical configuration shows up in many applications, from microscopy and semiconductor fabs to laser beam shaping and adaptive optics. Yet despite its widespread use, many engineers and system designers encounter only fragments of its capabilities in application-specific contexts.

At its core, the 4f system is deceptively simple: two optical elements arranged so that their separation equals the sum of their focal lengths.

When you scale an optical design from standard-sized components down to micro-optics, something counterintuitive happens with centration tolerances. The same edge thickness runout that barely matters on a 25 mm lens can produce ten times the angular deviation on a 2mm lens. Understanding why—and how to specify tolerances that actually work at the micro scale—is the difference between a successful build and an expensive lesson.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Clara Olivas started working in quality inspection across industries. She has served as a backbone at Ross Optical for the last three years, strengthening the quality management system to minimize errors and streamline efficient handling of customer needs. 

From internal audits and calibrations to supplier sourcing, part approvals, and corrective actions, she is the go-to person to ensure quality processes are not only streamlined but optimized.

Using Reverse Engineering and Custom Optics to Meet Changing Industry Needs

Optical systems are highly integrated, and every component plays a critical role in achieving precise performance. But when a product is discontinued, it can disrupt the entire system. For example, a single lens made from Schott F4 glass may have been selected for its unique refractive index and transmission properties. If that lens becomes unavailable, what’s next?

With more than 30 years of customer service experience, Patricia Waldrop is one of the trusted voices guiding Ross Optical customers through every order. She ensures purchase orders are entered accurately, shipments stay on track, and communication flows smoothly between customers and production. Transparency is key, and Patricia makes sure customers always know what to expect.