From June 24 to 27, 2025, the Fraunhofer IPT will be present at the LASER World of PHOTONICS in Munich. The institute will be presenting solutions in the areas of shaping, structuring and quality assurance that meet the increasing demands placed on optical components.
High-precision forming processes
A central highlight of the trade fair presentation is the replicative forming of glass. Here, micro-optical components and lens arrays are efficiently manufactured in series using high-precision forming processes with tight tolerances. The Fraunhofer IPT has further developed the process using new simulation tools and process automation so that complex geometries can now also be produced in large quantities. This opens up potential for sectors such as semiconductor technology, laser technology and medical technology. For example, it is now possible to manufacture components that could previously only be produced by machining.
Structuring: transferring micro- and nanostructures to glass surfaces
Another focus is the structuring of optical and functional surfaces. An end-to-end process chain for transferring micro- and nanostructures to large surfaces will be on display at the trade fair stand. The modular process architecture makes it possible to assemble smaller structured units into a seamless replication tool. This shortens the process time and improves reproducibility. The process is suitable for applications in optics, sensor technology and functional coatings. Manufacturers of optical components can now effectively combine structural quality and surface area - two factors that were previously difficult to reconcile.
Quality assurance: non-destructive inline testing of microlenses
Another highlight is a system developed at the Fraunhofer IPT for the non-destructive testing of optical components. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) inspects glass components such as microlens arrays or injection-molded optics without contact and with high precision. It can be used to record the shape, geometry and internal structure of components in real time. The high resolution enables precise measurement of even the smallest structural deviations. Thanks to the high scanning speed, the quality of the components can be checked directly in the production cycle, without process interruptions or manual handling. The system can be flexibly integrated into existing production lines and supports data-based process control. This is particularly important for manufacturers of microlenses or optical assemblies that place high demands on tolerances.