Unless otherwise stated, normal chamfering is manufactured as 0.5mm. We use a quick and cost effective method for the production of silver chloride and silver bromide optics, by the use of a hot-forging technique. Lenses and windows are in regular production, and the technique is particularly appropriate for spectroscopic mini-cell windows where the surface has a small depression to accommodate liquid films. The quality achievable by this technique, although inferior to conventional polishing, is more than adequate for a wide range of infra- red applications. In the course of our hot-forging operations, a considerable stock of tooling has been assembled.
Dies are the containing vessel for the press and control the diameter of the optics.
Flats and radii can be combined for plano-convex lenses. By designing around current stock of equipment, tooling charges for small runs of windows or lenses can be avoided. Similarly for non-standard diameters which can be easily edged down from these sizes. Although incurring some tooling charges, the acquisition of new radius tools for existing die diameters is a more cost effective solution than setting up for a completely new set. Hardness is a well known physical parameter, but many different methods have been derived for the measurement and classification of materials on a hardness scale.