Additively Manufactured Polymer Optomechanics and Their Application in Laser Systems

Kranert, Fabian; Budde, Jana; Hinkelmann, Moritz; Lachmayer, Roland; Neumann, Jörg; Kracht, Dietmar

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-96501-3_2

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 50 publications

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“…In combination with the ability to process multiple materials in a rapid automated one-step fabrication, complex functionalities or even function-integrated systems are enabled. 4 However, additive manufacturing of optical and photonic components remains challenging due to the requirement to fabricate 3D objects with optical quality. Many 3D printing techniques are either based on vat polymerization permitting typically only mono-material components or do not feature the required print resolution which necessitates cost-and time-intensive post-processing steps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-material additive manufacturing based on µ-dispenser technology for tailored polymer micro-optics

Kranert

Finkenbrink

Hinkelmann

et al. 2023

Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Micro/Nano Optics and Photonics XVI

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Integrated optics are an innovation driver for a multitude of industrial applications like autonomous driving or point-of-care diagnostics. With the increasing demand for miniaturized, low-cost optical systems, new methods for fabricating tailored graded index micro-optics are required. Additive manufacturing is a promising technology for this not only due to its high design freedom, but also because of the potential for function integration via multi-material printing or the integration into digitized process chains. In fact, additive manufacturing of optical elements has not matured yet due to the requirement to fabricate 3D objects with optical quality. In this contribution, µ-dispenser direct ink writing based on transparent photopolymers is presented that enables the production of multi-material micro-optical elements. It will be shown that the achievable printing resolution for 0D-and 1D-structures is mainly depending on the needle diameter. Mono-material spherical and cylindrical lenses with a geometric dimension in the range of a few micrometers have been successfully fabricated and characterized. The geometric shape fidelity of printed 2D-layers, which suffers from surface tension effects due to the material's molecular cohesive forces, is optimized by proper printing strategies. In an outlook, the route towards the production of micro-optic, function-integrated 3D GRIN elements is given, by using a mixer module to realize combined and gradable extrusion of two photopolymers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-material additive manufacturing based on µ-dispenser technology for tailored polymer micro-optics

Kranert

Finkenbrink

Hinkelmann

et al. 2023

Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Micro/Nano Optics and Photonics XVI

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Polymer-based 3D printing of function-integrated optomechanics – design guidelines and system evaluation

Kranert,

Hinkelmann,

Lachmayer

et al. 2024

RPJ

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Purpose This study aims to extend the known design guidelines for the polymer-based fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing process with the focus on function-integrated components, specifically optomechanical parts. The potential of this approach is demonstrated by manufacturing function-integrated optomechanics for a low-power solid-state laser system. Design/methodology/approach For the production of function-integrated additively manufactured optomechanics using the FFF process, essential components and subsystems have been identified for which no design guidelines are available. This includes guidelines for integrating elements, particularly optics, into a polymer structure as well as guidelines for printing functional threads and ball joints. Based on these results, combined with prior research, a function-integrated low-power solid-state laser optomechanic was fabricated via the FFF process, using a commercial 3D printer of the type Ultimaker 3. The laser system's performance was assessed and compared to a reference system that employed commercial optomechanics, additionally confirming the design guidelines derived from the study. Findings Based on the design goal of function integration, the existing design guidelines for the FFF process are systematically extended. This success is demonstrated by the fabrication of an integrated optomechanic for a solid-state laser system. Practical implications Based on these results, scientists and engineers will be able to use the FFF process more extensively and benefit from the possibilities of function-integrated manufacturing. Originality/value Extensive research has been published on additive manufacturing of optomechanics. However, this research often emphasizes only cost reduction and short-term availability of components by reprinting existing parts. This paper aims to explore the capabilities of additive manufacturing in the production of function-integrated components to reduce the number of individual parts required, thereby decreasing the workload for system assembly and leading to an innovative production process for optical systems. Consequently, where needed, it provides new design guidelines or extends existing ones and verifies them by means of test series.

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Additively Manufactured Polymer Optomechanics and Their Application in Laser Systems

Cited by 2 publications

References 50 publications

Multi-material additive manufacturing based on µ-dispenser technology for tailored polymer micro-optics

Multi-material additive manufacturing based on µ-dispenser technology for tailored polymer micro-optics

Polymer-based 3D printing of function-integrated optomechanics – design guidelines and system evaluation

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