Design concept: Additive manufacturing of a function-integrated, adjustable optomechanics lens/mirror mount

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing is an additive manufacturing method to produce freeform objects. Low barriers of entry and cost when compared to traditional manufacturing methods make FFF an ideal tool for prototyping and small batch production. FFF- produced optomechanical components can be cost-effective, time-efficient alternatives to commercially available options. 3D-printed freeform structures also enable the design of function-integrated optomechanical setups such as mirror holders. Increasing the level of function-integration is especially valuable from a production perspective, minimizing the number of parts and assembly steps necessary to build an optical system. This in turn directly reduces production cost. However, FFF has a serious disadvantage with respect to precision optomechanical systems: Lower dimensional accuracy compared to traditional production processes or other additive manufacturing methods. Directly integrating adjustment options for the optical components could mitigate that disadvantage. This work describes the optomechanical concept for a 3D-printed lens or mirror mount with integrated adjustment options for compensation of positioning, tilt and/or decenter errors. The primary goal is to identify practical challenges of such a system, as initial step towards realizing function-integration into fully 3D-printed optomechanical systems.