Lens Processing Technology

Evolving lens processing methods that have grown over many years, Tamron newly established a processing technology for small-diameter lens of Φ1mm range.

Further downsizing is demanded for optical devices mounted into wearable apparatus which are widely used in the market.

Small-diameter lenses with less than Φ4mm are particularly difficult to be process. The reason is that small-diameter lenses require the same surface accuracy and centering precision as Φ10~20mm lenses, which was difficult to achieve only with conventional technology. Tamron has greatly evolved processing technology and achieved Φ1mm range processing.

The need for minimally invasive operation is increasing in the medical field and small-diameter rod lenses are required for rigid endoscope (laparascope). Processing technology for ensuring a high eccentricity accuracy is required to enable spherical shaped rod lens.

Utilizing highly precise processing technology, Tamron will continue to accommodate the demand for small-diameter lens and will correspond to various high-value products.

With advances in optical equipment, the demand for large-diameter lenses is increasing.

Lenses with superior surface accuracy are needed for achieving super high definition image and high precision measurement, especially for the applications such as 4K and 8K high resolution cameras, high-functional optical measurement instruments and optical remote sensing equipment installed in satellite.

Tamron’s superior manufacturing technology especially polishing processing technology, which is accumulated by large-diameter lenses exceeding Φ140mm, achieves zero-defect of the surface scratch or dig. 　

With excellent processing and manufacturing technology that achieves high optical quality, Tamron will continue to accommodate the demand for higher resolution and higher precision and will respond to various unprecedented high-value products.

Various cameras, such as wearable cameras and surveillance cameras, need a higher accurate aberration correction due to image sensor’s high pixilation.

Curved shaped aspherical lenses made by grinding and molding are used for correcting lens aberration.

Changing the point on the ark on curved surface, which is called inflection point, does not exist in general glass molded aspherical lenses and only one lens has a limited ability to correct aberration.

Tamron realized the manufacturing of special formed glass optical molded lens having inflection point which effectively correct a distortion aberration of wide-angle lens and a field curvature aberration of high-resolution lens. In addition to a highly precise forming, one of the features is that general glass materials are acceptable.

Tamron realizes a high quality and stable manufacturing by collaborating highly technical lens design and molding technology and makes it applicable to a wide variety of application.

Glass molded lenses are made by heating the glass material at an high temperature and pressing it with an elaborate mold made in nanometer units. Although the production efficiency is high, it is molded in a thin-walled shape. It can sometimes crack and requires an advanced manufacturing process.

Tamron has realized an ultra-thin, small-diameter aspherical glass molded lens with a thickness of 0.1 mm, which is equivalent to copy paper. It can be expected to be used in optical systems such as wearable devices, robot eyes, and minimally invasive surgical cameras.

Tamron is evolving its lens processing technology in order to create lenses that can meet the ever-increasing demands for smaller equipment and higher resolution.