The Story of IRD Glass & AOI Inspection

The Story of IRD Glass & AOI Inspection

Automated optical inspection (AOI) is an automated visual inspection of a component. It uses cameras to check for defects. For our purposes, we are excited to use AOI in the quality inspection of precision glass tubes. The road from prototype to production was not an...
5 Ways Glass Helped Scientific Discoveries

5 Ways Glass Helped Scientific Discoveries

In 2018, The Atlantic called glass “humankind’s most important material.” It is used in test tubes, reading glasses, precision glass machining, etc. From the early days of Isaac Newton studying optics to modern-day inventions like optical telescopes, the field of...
What Is a Laser Ring Gyroscope?

What Is a Laser Ring Gyroscope?

The principle of any gyroscope is a spinning wheel or beam of light that can detect how far an object is from where it is supposed to be. A laser ring gyroscope is an amazing component that has virtually no moving parts and is based on the Sagnac Effect.  French...
What Is Double-Sided Lapping?

What Is Double-Sided Lapping?

The term “lapping” stems from the acronym Loose Abrasive Process. Quite simply, the lapping process involves mixing water or oil with abrasive particles, which results in a slurry that acts as a liquid cutting tool. The liquid between the plate and workpiece creates...
What Is Optical Contact Bonding?

What Is Optical Contact Bonding?

Optical bonding is the joining of two optical components together. However, many methods are used for contact bonding, depending on what is needed and the type of optical components being used. Adhesive contact bonding is often utilized, where the two components are...