Flexible automated assembly of micro-optical elements (optical SMD)

Wolfgang Andreasch; Christian de Graffenried; Robert Kohler; Reymond Clavel; Thomas C. Sidler; Rene-Paul Salathe; Ronald Mueller; Hannes Bleuler; Bernhard Gaechter; Hartmut Ehbets

doi:10.1117/12.260620

11 December 1996 Flexible automated assembly of micro-optical elements (optical SMD)

Wolfgang Andreasch, Christian de Graffenried, Robert Kohler, Reymond Clavel, Thomas C. Sidler, Rene-Paul Salathe, Ronald Mueller, Hannes Bleuler, Bernhard Gaechter, Hartmut Ehbets

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2906, Microrobotics: Components and Applications; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.260620
Event: Photonics East '96, 1996, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

An automated assembly technique for small optical components has been developed. It concerns components such as, e.g., laser diodes and LEDs, fibers, lenses beamsplitters, polarizers, mirrors, crystals, prisms, diffractive elements or photodiodes. It is based on the flexible 2-dimensional arrangement of a universal tripod holder (10 by 10 by 4 mm) on a planar mounting plate. Its particular mechanical structure allows to align the optical elements on-line and to attach them to the mounting plate in a one step procedure. The different elements are aligned with an accuracy of plus or minus 1 micrometer and attached one after the other. Very good position stability (plus or minus 0.7 micrometer, plus or minus 0.2 mrad) during the attachment procedure has been achieved by laser point welding. They are optically interconnected by free-space propagation of a light beam with diameter of up to 8 millimeters. Mass production has been shown with a collimator as test vehicle. The collimator is composed of two elements (laser diode and collimating lens) and is mounted entirely automatically by two co-working robots. Easy prototyping has been shown with the realization of the optical position sensing system featuring a high precision linear magnetic bearing. Flexibility, simple handling, high packaging density and low cost make this new assembly technique satiable to both mass production and prototyping of small opto electronical devices.

Citation Download Citation

Wolfgang Andreasch, Christian de Graffenried, Robert Kohler, Reymond Clavel, Thomas C. Sidler, Rene-Paul Salathe, Ronald Mueller, Hannes Bleuler, Bernhard Gaechter, and Hartmut Ehbets "Flexible automated assembly of micro-optical elements (optical SMD)", Proc. SPIE 2906, Microrobotics: Components and Applications, (11 December 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.260620

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