Double-Sided Polishing Revolutionizes Optical Manufacturing

Precision Glass & Optics (PG&O) has significantly enhanced its optical manufacturing capabilities with the integration of the PR Hoffman 5400 double-sided polisher. This advanced equipment enables simultaneous polishing of both sides of an optical component, offering substantial benefits over traditional single-sided methods. Unlike single-sided polishing, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, double-sided polishing streamlines production by reducing turnaround times from weeks to days, while also ensuring superior surface flatness, parallelism, and transmitted wavefront quality.

The PR Hoffman system is optimized for optical components ranging from 25 mm to 250 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm to 25 mm in thickness. Its precise control of pressure, speed, and slurry application allows consistent high-performance results, even for the most demanding optical applications in industries like aerospace, telecommunications, medical devices, and laser systems.

PG&O has further optimized its process with a new diamond wire saw, used to cut glass blanks to exact thicknesses, feeding directly into the polisher. This streamlined workflow minimizes waste, reduces rework, and improves dimensional accuracy, leading to enhanced cost efficiency and higher production volumes.

The double-sided polishing process itself involves carefully loaded components held between rotating platens, applying an abrasive slurry to simultaneously refine both surfaces. Real-time control of polishing variables ensures uniform results and strict tolerance adherence.

By integrating advanced polishing and cutting technologies, PG&O demonstrates how innovation and in-house process control can meet the increasing demands for faster delivery, lower costs, and uncompromising optical precision across a wide range of applications.