UQG Optics can accommodate a range of specialist precision glass polishing and lapping requirements, large or small. We offer the latest technologies in double-sided planetary polishing, using 3-way drive machines producing high volume rates. If a laser-quality finish is required, our single-sided machines can polish up to lambda 10 flatness.
We can also polish the edges of windows and squares. Windows, plates and substrates are routinely processed in batch runs at competitive rates.
A large proportion of our contract polishing and lapping work is carried out to customer-supplied materials.
Typical polishing examples includes:
- Re-polishing of damaged surfaces
- Polishing of edges round or square
- Flame polishing rods and tubes
- Optical polishing of light guides
- Glass to metal assemblies
Materials
Materials suitable for polishing include optical glass, fused quartz, fused silica, borosilicate, float glass, filter glass, silicon, germanium and more.
Specifications
| Double-sided planetary polishing | |
| Dimensions | 3mm dia to 300mm dia |
| Thickness | 0.5mm to 25mm (tolerance to ± 0.01) |
| Flatness | To 1 lambda |
| Parallelism | To <10 arc seconds |
| Surface quality | 40/20, 60/40, 80/50 |
For sizes over 300mm dia we use our range of single-sided machines, polishing up to 500mm dia.
Precision Lapping
Our lapping services include all optical materials and glasses, as well as metals, alloys, alumina and ferrites. Using double-sided planetary machines, we focus on components when both sides need lapping to precision tolerances.
Surfaces are lapped simultaneously whilst held in carriers, removing the need for fixing or clamping, and ensuring a stress free lapping process for the components without thermal distortion. Our lapping department handles 1 off to 1,000’s of components a day.
In many optical applications where surfaces need diffusing, we can lap one or both sides to a stated finish from 5 microns to 100 microns. Find out more on our diffusers page.
Materials
Material suitable for precision lapping include optical glasses, sodalime glass, borosilicate, fused silica, fused quartz, silicon, germanium, alumina, ceramics, ferrites, steel, brass, carbon and more.
Specifications
| Dimensions | Optical glasses up to 300mm dia |
| Metals/alloys up to 50mm dia | |
| Ceramics/alumina up to 100mm dia | |
| Ferrites up to 100mm dia | |
| Thickness | 0.5mm to 25mm |
| Flatness | Subject to material |
| Parallelism | 0.01 |
| Surface finish | Subject to material |
For further information please contact us to day to discuss your requirements.
