Docter Optics: Series Production of Molded Miniature Light Pipes
Light pipes, sometimes called light tunnels, used by industry in many different types of equipment and systems. Made of optical glass, they make it possible to homogenize and concentrate or reshape a beam of light for a specific optical application. Light pipes, sometimes called light tunnels, used by industry in many different types of equipment and systems. Made of optical glass, they make it possible to homogenize and concentrate or reshape a beam of light for a specific optical application.
Docter Optics ranks among the world’s major suppliers of the custom-produced light pipes that are required for LED applications, laser-based systems and the equipment used in solar power installations.
Docter Optics customers now benefit from the use of process technology that permits production of light pipes that feature not only impressively high quality, but also equally impressive economy.
The German-based company has recently developed technology that permits economical production of miniature light pipes of optical glass with a high slenderness ratio and, e.g., a diameter of 2 - 3 mm for a length of only 8 -10 mm.
The production of these special free-form lenses is one of a the core competencies of Docter Optics. For example, the company can also offer customers light pipes with high slenderness ratio and lengths of up to 70 mm that can be used to modify the beam angle of LEDs (for example, from 60˚ auf 30˚), concentrate solar radiation or reshape beams of light, for example, from rectangular to round.
Since Docter Optics has own in-plant mold-making facility and experienced optical designers, the company works together with its customers throughout the world to develop and bring to production one-of-kind optical solutions within a very limited time frame.
Docter Optics is the international market leader in the area of optical glass projection lenses for automotive applications and a recognized supplier of optical components and systems to premier OEMs in various industries such as, for example, biometrics, digital projection, printing and machine vision.
In addition, the company's Express Glass Services division produces semi-finished products, samples and short series for customers throughout the world on very short notice and also maintains an extensive inventory of optical glass to give customers fast access to special glass qualities.
Docter Optics offers customers services along the entire added-value chain: Optical design, prototypes, preproduction series and large-scale production. The company also benefits from close cooperation with partners involved in research and industry in Germany's "Optical Valley" as well as from participation in leading networks and organizations of optical professionals.
