Cheap aspheric lenses?

The University of Rochester has developed a machine that can produce
positive aspheric lenses to 1/20th wave in minutes. The machine,
called

This is not new, it has been covered here on SAA before. The technology is now
some 8 years old. There is a company in Rochester that has been selling
machines for this purpose for several years. It is not cost effective for
amateur or commercial optics. Forget about having anything like this for
objective lenses too.

For eyepieces, molded aspheric optics might someday be cost effective. These
are being used right now in consumer digital cameras. I don't know what this
will buy you over eyepieces that are now available.

Roland Christen

(Chris1011) wrote in message ...
The University of Rochester has developed a machine that can produce
positive aspheric lenses to 1/20th wave in minutes. The machine,
called

This is not new, it has been covered here on SAA before. The technology is now
some 8 years old. There is a company in Rochester that has been selling
machines for this purpose for several years. It is not cost effective for
amateur or commercial optics. Forget about having anything like this for
objective lenses too.

That's too bad. With companies like Meade spending six-figure amounts
for machines to grind their small Mak optics, I'd have hoped this technology
would have been as affordable.

For eyepieces, molded aspheric optics might someday be cost effective. These
are being used right now in consumer digital cameras. I don't know what this
will buy you over eyepieces that are now available.

Roland Christen

I guess the goal is fewer elements? Camera lenses with multiple spherical
elements would be one place to start.
-Rich