Optec uses the whole Autodesk package: starting from Autocad 2D, where the first few feasibility studies occur to switch to Autodesk Inventor 3D for design final. The finalization of the system occurs with a detailed analysis using Finite Element software Simcenter 3D. The software provides a range of mechanical simulation tools that help Optec engineers to take decisions during the trial phase of the design process. The software supports multiple CAD environments and tools for modelling large finite elements with the aim of helping to correctly define the design criteria and to accurately predict product performance. Optec uses Simcenter 3D Software to validate and optimize designs before manufacturing, increasing efficiency, minimizing the need for physical prototypes, reducing costs and errors.

Optec uses Simcenter 3D enterprise package that allows to deeply analyse the structural and thermal behaviour of our products. Optec can furnish finite element analyses that allow the study of mechanical stress of the materials (static, dynamic, linear, non-linear, vibration, etc.) thermo-elastic response and thermal control.

For the structural analysis Optec uses the space qualified NX Nastran software and it follows the ECSS indications that lead the simulations through some sanity checks to improve the results.
The thermal analysis, including thermal control strategies, are performed using the powerful thermal package created by Siemence. Starting from some boundary conditions, Optec can provide thermal control solutions involving custom passive and active systems.

The versatility and computing power of Simcenter 3D allow Optec engineers to furnish detailed physical data starting from the requirements sent by the customer. In addition, Optec can perform opto-mechanical analysis, called STOP analysis, involving both mechanical and optical software into an iterative process.

Optec takes care of the integration between optomechanical systems and their electronic control, by implementing the best  solution in terms of hardware and software operativity.

The workflow is characterized by the following steps:

1. Determination of the right electronic components (servo drives, actuators, encoders...) starting from the customer’s needs;
2. Design of the full electronic layout;
3. Development of the embedded software for the system control;
4. Integration into the final electro-optomechanical system;
5. Extensive test and approval.

Optec is able to assist customers in quality testing of optical components and systems.

In this area Optec has produced outstanding results in the past (particularly testing in its Optical laboratory and ISO5 cleaning the OGSE for Sentinel V, the METIS project, part of the ESA mission called Solar Orbiter, and others) and is still active with advanced research.

In the course of the years the laboratory has constituted a patrimony of resources that regard in particular the absolute measurement of the geometrical form (plano and spherical surfaces), the WFE and MTF of complete optical systems, transmissivity and reflectivity efficiency on planar surfaces, focal length measurement, developing competences and maintaining operative capabilities to the state of the art.

With the aim of giving value to the resources owned and making them available to industries and institutions, Optec has constituted metrology rooms (in ISO5 cleaning room or standard evironmnet) accessible to external users and available.

The instrumentations available at OPTC laboratories include:

• Zygo Verifire XPZ Interferometer for WFE, MTF, Radius of Curvature (concave or convex up to 1000mm) and Planarity measurement
• Zygo Mark II Interferometer for Planarity measurement
• Beckman DU800 Spectrophotometer for transmissivity and reflectivity efficiency measurement
• MOLLER-WEDEL MELOS 500 for focal length measurement (positive focal length up to 600mm and negative focal length up to -1000mm)
• MOLLER-WEDEL GONIOMETER-SPECTROMETER II for piramidality and prisms angle measuremnt
• VISION ENGINEERING LYNX/S/48RR/10P for scratch and dig detection and analysis

• Trioptics OptiSpheric
• MOLLER-WEDEL MELOS 500

Interferometer:

• Optotech OWI 150XT con Hardware Zygo 6" e Software Zygo MetroPRO
• Schneider SLI101 con Hardware Zygo 4"
• ZYGO MARK II

Spectrophotometer:

• BECKMAN DU800
• Photon RT 190-4900

Cooling incubator:

• BINDER Mod. KB115

Spectrogoniometer:

• MOLLER-WEDEL GONIOMETER-SPECTROMETER II

Mauser:

• TESA HITE 400

Microscope:

• VISION ENGINEERING LYNX/S/48RR/10P

Densitometer:

• VIP-DENS

Optec is able to calibrate any optical system using its know-how and its own strumentation. In particolar, Optec is able to calibrate and align sensors and other instruments using real-time methods and proprietary software. Optec is able to calibrate complex optical systems, both dioptric and catadioptric using technologies and techniques implemented for its own products.

For years, Optec has performed the alignment and the gluing of its multispectral lenses (and multichannel cameras). The entire process has been performed in clean room that annually gets ISO 6 certification. The increasing implication in space compliant projects has led to an improvement of the clean room and now Optec has an ISO 5 clean room, where the test and the alignment of optical systems with very strict requirements in terms of cleanliness and contamination.

In order to gathered together space specification, strict optical and straylight requirement and certification capability, Optec has moved part of its optical instrumentation in its brand new ISO5 clean room. The most peculiar characteristics of this new environment is the fact that it is totally black in order to minimize scattering and undesired reflection from walls, ceiling, optical tables and instrumentation and provide the most reliable optical measure.

Particularly in space industry, straylight analysis is simply a must. Optec can assist you with our know-how as an external partner for straylight analysis: ghost analysis, analysis of scattered light, diffraction from aperture. Based on the results of our analysis, we develop measures against straylight (baffle design, coating recommendations etc). Optec uses ZEMAX OpticStudio for straylight and ghost analysis.

Recently, Optec has extended its straylight capability and skills thank the acquisition of LightTools, a straylight dedicated software that interacts directly with CodeV and that represents one of the best and most sensitive software for straylight and ghost analysis.

Straylight analyses are standard in the following application fields:

• Space optics: In-field and out-of-field straylight (Straylight sources: Sun, Earth, Moon, ...), diffraction analysis and thermal radiation analysis
• Optical industry: analysis of high-end imaging systems for camera systems, microscopes etc...