Competencies

Design for Manufacturability

GSPO specializes in injection molding highly toleranced precision polymer optics. There are many factors that will determine the success or failure of molding an optic. GSPO engineers will work with you to address the issues of manufacturability. Call our engineers today to learn more.

Rapid Prototyping

• Through diamond turning -- a design may be prototyped before building production tooling. GSPO has a state-of-the art diamond turning facility that is capable of creating prototypes (spherical or aspheric) directly into a polymer substrate. Our engineers can guide you through this process.
• Through prototype molding -- Some optical systems are more complex than others; for example, you might be able to combine multiple optics and mounting features together on to one platform. Such designs are not easily prototyped by single point diamond turning methods. In these cases prototypes can be rapidly developed directly in prototype molds. Call our engineers today to learn how quickly this can be done.

Production Injection Molding

• GSPO specializes in designing the molds and other tooling that will be used to make the optic component. We work very closely with our clients to:
  • understand the application,
  • evaluate the tolerances,
  • establish what quality metrics need to be in place, and
  • build a mold that will consistently deliver optical elements to print.
• GSPO has molding presses ranging in size from 20 to 200 Tons. We have complete production capability and routinely handle programs that range in production from thousands of parts per year to millions. The automation on our presses can be customized to maximize efficiency and minimize handling costs. We specialize in customization and flexibility. Call our engineers today to learn how we can bring your program to life.
• GSPO has extensive expertise in molding acrylic, styrene, polycarbonate, cyclic-olefin polymers such as Zeonex/Zeonor, cyclic-olefin co-polymers such as Topas, polyetherimide (Ultem), and other optical polymers

Optical Systems and Assembly

GSPO provides complete opto-mechanical assembly and packaging services. Our manufacturing engineers specialize in bringing custom solutions and unique tooling concepts to manufacturing challenges. Talk to a member of our engineering staff today about your program requirements.

Coatings

• GSPO has a state of the art coating facility on site. The coater is a fully automated, CITATION ITM precision optical box coater that includes E-Beam and resistive evaporation with Plasma Ion Assist to form low stress, dense and durable coatings that will satisfy the most demanding thin-film requirements of polymer optics. In addition, our coating chamber configuration also includes a unique, flexible rotation system to accommodate the many complex shapes that are increasingly prevalent in plastic optics design.
• We specialize in coating plastic substrates. Our reflective (HR) coatings include protected and enhanced Gold, Aluminum, and protected Silver. We also offer single and multi-layer anti-reflection (AR) coatings suitable for v-coats and broadband AR performance.
• In addition, G-SPO has complete in-house thin film design capabilities to tailor thin-film performance to meet your specific custom requirements. Call our engineers today to learn more.
  

Quality

• Metrology -- All manufacturing is supported by our modern on-site metrology lab. GSPO places heavy emphasis on quality and has developed a highly trained quality team that provides feedback to our production engineers. All programs are subject to rigorous quality standards to ensure consistent, reliable performance.
• Control procedures
  • GSPO is a UL-recognized molder in the QMMY2 fabricated parts program. Recognition is based on material traceability, UL assigned designation B-1842.
  • G-SPO is ISO compliant.
• Certifications -- GSPO can provide complete material and manufacturing certifications to satisfy program quality metrics.