Rebeca Natale

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany

Title: Improving the optical properties of achromatic lenses due to the process conditions

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Biography

I am a scientific assistance at the Institute of Polymer Technology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. My current focus is a DFG (German Research Foundation) project on the production of achromatic lenses using composite injection molding of transparent polymers. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering with a major in Mechanics which I graduated in April 2020 and a Master's degree in Applied Plastics Technology which I graduated in November 2021, both from Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences. I am originally from Venezuela and have been living in Germany since 2015.

Abstract

Transparent polymers have gained considerable attention as materials for precision optical components due to their light weight and ability to be produced in large quantities by injection molding. Another advantage of using an injection molding process is the possibility to produce multi-component parts without the need for an additional adhesive. A good example is the production of achromatic lenses. Achromatic lenses are often used in optical applications, such as car headlights and cameras, to correct chromatic aberrations. This study focuses on the influence of process parameters on the optical properties of achromatic lenses manufactured by isothermal and variothermal injection molding processes. The lenses were made from a combination of two materials, polycarbonate (PC) and polymethal methylacrylate (PMMA). The process parameters were systematically varied and the resulting material optical properties were analyzed using appropriate analytical methods. The use of high holding pressure (700 bar) for the first component (PC) combined with the variothermal injection moulding process exhibits good optical properties in achromats, and an additional step of oven bedding to reduce residual stresses improves these optical properties further. The results of this study will provide insight into the optimal choice of process parameters for the injection moulding of high-quality achromatic lenses made of PC and PMMA.