Liquid Lenses: A Breakthrough in Future Optical Technology

In recent years, advancements in optical technology have dramatically transformed various industries, enhancing capabilities in areas ranging from manufacturing to medical imaging. Among these innovations, liquid lenses represent a groundbreaking development, offering significant improvements over traditional optical systems.

Liquid lenses utilize the distinctive properties of liquids to enhance optical performance in ways that traditional lenses cannot easily achieve. At the core of their functionality is the ability to dynamically adjust the curvature of the lens by changing the shape of the liquid, enabling precise control over focus and magnification. This flexibility is crucial for applications requiring high accuracy and versatility.

One of the standout features of the BASSON liquid telecentric lens series is its exceptional telecentricity. Telecentricity refers to the property of a lens system where the principal rays are parallel to the optical axis, ensuring that the magnification of an object remains constant across the entire field of view. This characteristic is crucial in applications that require precise measurements and accurate imaging because it eliminates the distortions that typically occur with traditional lenses, where magnification can vary depending on the object's position relative to the lens.

The BASSON liquid telecentric lenses excel in this regard, maintaining a telecentricity within an impressive range of less than 0.05°. This high level of telecentricity ensures that the magnification remains uniformly consistent, regardless of the position of the object within the lens’s field of view. Such precision is essential for applications involving detailed measurements, where even small deviations in magnification can lead to significant errors. For instance, in industrial inspection processes where components are measured to micron-level tolerances, maintaining consistent magnification across the entire field is crucial to ensure that measurements are accurate and reliable.

In addition to high telecentricity, the BASSON lens series is notable for its remarkably low distortion rate of less than 0.05%. Distortion in optical systems can lead to significant inaccuracies by causing objects to appear warped or misaligned. In high-precision applications, such as those found in manufacturing and quality control, even minor distortions can adversely affect the accuracy of measurements and the quality of the final product. The ability of the BASSON liquid telecentric lenses to minimize distortion to such a low level demonstrates the advanced optical design and precise manufacturing techniques employed in their development.

The combination of high telecentricity and low distortion in the BASSON liquid telecentric lens series is particularly valuable for industrial measurement scenarios. These lenses ensure that measurements remain accurate across the full field of view, reducing the potential for errors caused by optical distortions. This capability enhances the reliability of measurement systems and ensures that the final product meets stringent quality standards.

The advanced optical performance of the BASSON liquid telecentric lenses, characterized by high telecentricity and minimal distortion, sets a new benchmark in the field of optical technology. These features not only address the challenges faced by traditional lenses but also provide enhanced precision and consistency for a wide range of industrial applications, reinforcing the role of liquid lens technology as a powerful tool for achieving accurate and reliable measurements.

A key advantage of the BASSON liquid telecentric lens series is its cost-efficiency, which sets it apart from traditional telecentric lenses. Traditional telecentric lenses are known for their high price tags, largely due to their intricate design and complex manufacturing processes. These lenses often require precision engineering and the use of high-quality materials, which contribute to their elevated costs. Additionally, the manufacturing process for these lenses can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, further driving up their price.

In contrast, the liquid lens technology employed by the BASSON series offers a more cost-effective solution while maintaining high optical performance. Liquid lenses are designed using a relatively simpler manufacturing process. The key advantage lies in the use of liquids to form the lens surface, which can be easily adjusted by varying the liquid's shape and curvature. This dynamic adjustability reduces the need for multiple, costly lens elements that are common in traditional telecentric lenses. Consequently, the manufacturing process becomes less complex and more streamlined.

Moreover, liquid lenses benefit from a modular design approach. By using a fluidic system to achieve the desired optical properties, manufacturers can reduce the number of physical components needed, further cutting production costs. This modularity also allows for easier customization and scalability, making it possible to produce lenses that meet specific application requirements without extensive redesign or significant cost increases.

The BASSON liquid telecentric lens series stands out for its remarkable versatility, primarily due to its compatibility with standard C-mount telecentric lens mounts. C-mounts are a widely accepted standard in the industry, used extensively with various industrial cameras and optical systems. This compatibility ensures that the BASSON lenses can be seamlessly integrated into existing setups without requiring modifications or specialized adapters. This ease of integration not only simplifies the adoption of new lenses but also helps in maintaining consistency across different imaging systems.

Moreover, the BASSON lenses are designed to accommodate sensors with a maximum size of 2/3 inches, which corresponds to a diagonal measurement of 11.5mm. This sensor size is common in many industrial imaging applications, making the BASSON lenses adaptable to a wide range of cameras and systems. By supporting such sensor dimensions, the lenses cater to a broad spectrum of imaging tasks, from high-precision inspection and measurement to general imaging applications. This flexibility is crucial for industries that need to maintain high accuracy and consistency across various sensor sizes and configurations, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of their imaging systems.

Another significant advantage of the BASSON liquid telecentric lens series is its adjustable working distance. The ability to modify the working distance within certain limits allows users to tailor the lens to specific measurement tasks and conditions. This adjustability is achieved through the liquid lens technology, which enables fine-tuning of the optical parameters. Such flexibility is invaluable in dynamic industrial environments where measurement conditions can frequently change. For example, in a production line where components of varying sizes and shapes are inspected, being able to adjust the working distance ensures that the lenses can be optimized for different measurement scenarios, thereby maintaining high accuracy and efficiency.

The ability to adapt the working distance not only improves the lens's versatility but also enhances its utility across different applications. Whether it's measuring small components with precise tolerances or capturing detailed images of larger objects, the BASSON lenses can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of the task at hand. This level of customization ensures that users can achieve optimal performance and accuracy, regardless of the changing conditions or requirements of their industrial processes.

The BASSON liquid telecentric lenses are distinguished not only by their versatile design and cost-efficiency but also by their advanced optical and durability features. Two notable enhancements are the TG+ multi-layer coating and industrial-grade waterproofing, which collectively contribute to their superior performance and reliability in industrial settings.

The TG+ multi-layer coating applied to BASSON liquid telecentric lenses represents a significant advancement in optical technology. This coating is designed to improve light transmission through the lens system, which is critical for maintaining high image clarity and accuracy. High transmittance is essential in various imaging applications, particularly when dealing with low-light conditions or high-contrast objects.

In low-light environments, every bit of light captured by the lens contributes to the overall image quality. The TG+ coating enhances the lens's ability to transmit light efficiently, which helps in producing bright, clear images even when illumination is minimal. This is especially valuable in industrial inspection and quality control applications where detailed image analysis is required to detect defects or verify measurements.

Furthermore, when dealing with high-contrast objects, the TG+ coating reduces the occurrence of reflections and glare that can obscure fine details. By minimizing these issues, the coating ensures that the lenses deliver sharp, detailed images with minimal distortion. This capability is crucial for applications requiring precise measurements and high-resolution imaging, such as in semiconductor manufacturing or precision engineering.

The industrial-grade waterproofing feature of the BASSON liquid telecentric lenses addresses a common challenge in many industrial environments—exposure to harsh conditions. Industrial settings often involve exposure to dust, moisture, and other contaminants that can impact the functionality and longevity of optical equipment.

The waterproofing ensures that the lenses maintain their operational integrity even in environments where they might be subjected to splashes, spills, or high humidity. This feature helps prevent moisture ingress, which could otherwise lead to fogging, mold growth, or damage to the internal components of the lens. By protecting against these environmental factors, the waterproofing extends the lifespan of the lenses and ensures consistent performance over time.

Additionally, the waterproofing reduces the need for frequent maintenance or replacement, which can be costly and disruptive. With a lens that can withstand challenging conditions, businesses can minimize downtime and maintenance costs, ultimately leading to greater efficiency and reliability in their operations.

In summary, the BASSON liquid telecentric lens series represents a significant breakthrough in optical technology, offering high telecentricity, low distortion, cost-efficiency, and versatility. Its compatibility with standard C-mount telecentric lens mounts, adjustable working distance, TG+ multi-layer coating, and industrial-grade waterproofing make it an exceptional choice for high magnification and deep DOF industrial measurement applications. As industries continue to evolve and demand higher precision and reliability, the BASSON liquid telecentric lenses are well-positioned to meet these needs, driving advancements in industrial measurement and beyond.

Basson focuses on machine vision products used for precision measurement and defect detection.

Basson not only provides high-precision bi-telecentric lens systems, telecentric lens systems, telecentric light sources, coaxial illuminations and optical lenses, but also offers customized services.

With products designed in Germany, business planned in the UK and products made in China, Basson is able to provide superior products to customers through its global team. Currently, Basson is in preparation of production and assembly of products in Japan.

Dr. Liu Lu, acting as CTO of Basson, is a PhD degree holder of Oxford University.

Production and testing instruments include optical vacuum coating machines manufactured by Satis in Switzerland and Leybold in Germany, a laser interferometer from Zygo in the US, a spectrophotometer from PerkinElmer in the US, a spherometer from Hofbauer Optik in Germany, a centering instrument from Kyoritsu Electric in Japan, a NC grinding device made by Kojima Engineering in Japan and an automatic centering machine made by Shonan in Japan.