Hot embossing glass – to the nearest micrometer

Date: 16 December 2010

The lens is what matters: if lens arrays could be made of glass, it would be possible to make more conveniently sized projectors.

Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a process that allows this key component to be mass produced with extreme accuracy.



Projectors are getting smaller and smaller. Now that pictures are available in digital format almost everywhere, we need projectors to beam giant photos and films onto walls. Projectors contain lenses that spread the light from the pixelated source in such a way as to illuminate the image area evenly. Until now, this was done using complicated arrays of lenses placed one behind the other. Recently, the same effect has been achieved using flat lens arrays made up of thousands of identical microlenses. This kind of array takes up much less space and does not need to be painstakingly assembled and aligned. To date it has only been possible to manufacture these lens arrays from plastic, but the light source in conventional projectors is hot enough to melt them. To get around this problem, Jan Edelmann and his team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU in Chemnitz have developed a process for manufacturing lens arrays from glass, whereby the surface structure of the array is hot embossed into viscous glass at temperatures of between 600 and 900 degrees Celsius.

Read the full story on the link bellow.

600450 Hot embossing glass – to the nearest micrometer glassonweb.com

See more news about:

Others also read

Safti First, San Francisco, leading manufacturer of fire rated glass and framing solutions, is proud to announce the release of the mySAFTI app, an interactive design tool that takes the guesswork out of choosing the correct fire rated glass product.
We look forward to working with you in the New Year and assisting you in any way that we can to ensure the continual success of your business!Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and our sincere thanksfor your support and goodwill throughout the year!We will come back with fresh news on January 3, 2011.
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) announced that Steve Johnson, John McFee, and Joe Jonely will serve as committee chairs for the ratings, accreditation and certification policy committees respectively.
Company signs an exclusive license with Kelowna Motors, a well-established and highly reputable British Columbia- based MAZDA Dealer Diamon-Fusion International, Inc. (DFI Nanotechnology), global developer and exclusive licensor of patented hydrophobic nanotechnologies, announced today it has signed an exclusive license with Kelowna Motors, a well-established and highly reputable British Columbia-based MAZDA dealer, according to Guillermo Seta, corporate vice president and executive director.
The Middle East market is becoming a new and promising destination for local construction material producers to explore in the coming years.
Top Gear Live is a live arena show of the award winning TV program Top Gear. The live show features breath-taking stunts, remarkable special effects and epic driving sequences.

Add new comment