3D PRINTED OPTICS

3D printing optically functional plastics is the main business area of Luximprint. We offer optics design and rapid prototyping of illumination optics for lighting design and engineering purposes. With only one step from CAD-to-Optic, prototypes and start-up series of inspirational and functional optical plastics are now available in a short time frame, without the costly commitments to upfront tooling and minimum order quantities!

3D PRINTED OPTICS: OPTICALLY SMOOTH AND FUNCTIONAL PLASTICS STRAIGT FROM THE PRINTER

Additive optics manufacturing is a totally new way of getting your custom illumination optics prototypes rapidly available: speed, cost-efficiency and flexibility are the key drivers behind our process.

No longer, the heavy upfront investments in tooling and inventory (and the MOQ related to that) are the constraints for rapid and iterative product development. With no physical tooling involved, Luximprint optical 3D printing technology helps you to get inspirational and functional custom optics available in days. New lighting concepts can now rapidly be prepared, presented and iterated if needed before taking the final step to production tooling!

Picture of wall-wash lighting fixture with 3D printed optical plastics by Luximprint
Picture of Fixture Engineering incl. Luximprint 3D printed optics - flexible substrate

Benefits of 3D Printed Optics

Luximprint offers a fast, flexible and cost-effective way of custom optics prototyping, both for ‘inspirational’ and ‘functional’ purposes. The core advantages of the process include:

• No Upfront Investments: Extraordinary investments in tooling and inventory belong to the past. Optical 3D printing uses a direct CAD-to-Optic fabrication process, with only one step from design to prototype;
• Manufacturing Speed: Compared to traditional optics fabrication technologies and conventional additive fabrication, the Luximprint process comes with the speed of jetting based technologies;
• Easy Design Variations: Get multiple lens designs for easy ‘trial-and-error’ printed in one shot. Cost-efficient and time saving!
• Easy Design Iterations: Iterative design processing until a satisfactory performance is reached;
• On Demand Ordering: Order functional optics prototypes in exact quantities as needed and when needed. No minimum order quantities (MOQ) apply;
• Ultimate Design Freedom: Experience ultimate freedom on the optical design and fabrication end;
• No need for post-processing: Printed optics are smooth and functional directly from the 3D printer. There is no need for post-processing, such as polishing or grinding.

Picture of various 3D printed lens structures by Luximprint optical 3D printing technology

Printed Micro Lens Structures

In additive manufacturing, complexity is not as critical as it might be for traditional manufacturing technologies. A variety of micro lens features can easily be combined in one design and 3D printed in one single run. Luximprint 3D printing technology is for example ideal for quick ‘trial-and-error’ different lens structure in order to find out the best performing version.

Luximprint wood grain_optical lens structure 3D printing

Integrated Lens Features

Functional lens features can seamlessly be integrated in the textured lens surface. Clear textures, branded, animated or natural, it’s finally the designers’ choice!

“The on-demand ordering of small quantities custom tilt lenses tailored to our specific project needs, help us to keep stock levels low and our working capital available for operational purposes”

Jonathan Hinton, Managing Director, Binary Lighting Ltd.

“The fast and flexible Luximprint prototyping process enabled us to create customized optics for our LpS2015 heat spreader demonstrator with delivery of the parts in a very short timeframe”

Wolfgang Plank, Head of MOEMS Factory, Escatec Switzerland

“3D printed optics do offer significant benefits in manufacturing speed, flexibility and affordability”

Mark Jongewaard, LTI Optics /University of Colorado

“We selected printed optics by Luximprint because it is a true enabling technology that allowed us to rapidly and inexpensively prototype and test our concepts”

Noel C. Giebink, Pennstate University

“Without the speed of Luximprint’s fast printing process for LED optics we would never have managed to get our show presentation ready in time”

Simon Frech, Managing Director, F-sign GmbH

“Luximprint’s optical 3D printing technology enabled us to make use of rapid prototyping for optics. With this unique technology we were able to refine our product and iterate until we were satisfied with the product design of the f.lens”

Marco Bozzola, Co-founder, f.lens

“The lenses made it to the States! They are absolutely perfect. A huge thank you to you and your team for getting these made so quickly. I hope we will have the opportunity to work together again”

Sara Hoke, Project Manager, Taylor Studios, Inc.

Optical Material Solutions

In the processing of printed optics solutions, there are two materials of choice available:

In the downloads section, you can view and download the latest Printoptical Capabilities, including the Design Guidelines and Material Datasheets.

3D Printing Color Lenses

Why use lenses AND filters if colors can be easily integrated in one and the same design? Pick and choose the exact color or gradient you need, and combine it with the correct optical structure for a smooth performance!

Picture of 3D printed prism lens in clear and green color
Picture of green fresnel lens array - 3D printed onto frosted surface finish