The use of composite 3D printing in the design of optomechanical components

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68378271%3A_____%2F25%3A00641396" target="_blank" >RIV/68378271:_____/25:00641396 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/68407700:21220/25:00386129

Result on the web

<a href="https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0371560" target="_blank" >https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0371560</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/applmech6040081" target="_blank" >10.3390/applmech6040081</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The use of composite 3D printing in the design of optomechanical components

Original language description

This article demonstrates that 3D-printed parts can replace metal parts in optomechanics in the correct circumstances. Three examples are shown: a clamping fork for pedestal holders where stability is important, an adjustable mirror holder where the rigidity is the main criterion, and a stray light shield where the transmissivity is critical. By combining carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) with 3D printing, it is possible to produce components that fill the gap between standard 3D-printed plastics and metal parts in terms of strength and stability. These parts are designed to be lighter, more compact, and easier to modify, while keeping good mechanical properties such as resistance to vibration, shape accuracy, and controlled thermal expansion. The article focuses on the application of composite 3D printing on optomechanical components. It compares different methods of composite 3D printing, including fused filament fabrication (FFF) with either chopped fibers or with continuous fiber reinforcement. Three examples from the HiLASE Centre demonstrate how these parts are used in practice, confirming that it is indeed possible to 3D print components that are lighter and cheaper yet still highly functional compared to their off-the-shelf counterparts—for example, lightweight and stiff mounts, shielding against stray laser light, or flexible elements allowing fine mechanical adjustments. Simulations of the deformations are included to compare the printed and metal versions. The article ends with a summary of the benefits and limitations of using 3D-printed composites in optomechanics.

Czech name

—

Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10306 - Optics (including laser optics and quantum optics)

Project

<a href="/en/project/EH22_008%2F0004573" target="_blank" >EH22_008/0004573: Breakthrough Laser Technologies for Smart Manufacturing, Space and Bio-Tech Applications</a><br>

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Applied Mechanics

ISSN

2673-3161

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

6

Issue of the periodical within the volume

4

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

19

Pages from-to

81

UT code for WoS article

001645979300001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105025899263