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: SMOOTH AND FUNCTIONAL OPTICAL PLASTICS STRAIGHT FROM THE 3D PRINTER
Additive optics manufacturing is a totally new way of getting your custom 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!
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.
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.
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”
“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”
“3D printed optics do offer significant benefits in manufacturing speed, flexibility and affordability”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“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”
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!
