Abstract

CAD/CAM systems permit the manufacture of real physical parts on a milling, or other shop, machine which has received its instructions from the design system. However, a persistent problem has been the lack of a link between the optical CAD software and mechanical CAD software. A past paper described software which bridges this gap by producing an International Graphics Exchange Standard (IGES) file from the neutral plot files of the optical model. This IGES file can then be directly read into the mechanical drafting and design programs, ANVIL and GEOMOD. Although the latest enhancements to this older interface are addressed, the main thrust is the description of three completely new capabilities: (1) the ability to read directly NASTRAN-generated strain data for optical surfaces into the optical design program CODE-V, (2) the direct passage of a standard lens prescription in CODE-V to the program APART for stray light analysis, and (3) the entry of mechanical drafting data directly into APART via IGES files. This last interface is particularly exciting because it allows, for the first time, a completely graphic entry of structural data into an optical analysis program. A description of the typical procedures used to accomplish the transfer of data is provided along with several examples. Plans are presented to use these new software links to achieve paperless manufacture of optomechanical systems. Since the current algorithms have been designed with an eye on eventual improvements, an assessment of current limitations and future enhancements is also included.

© 1987 Optical Society of America