Automated system aligns lenses and sensors

OCTOBER 31, 2008--An advanced assembly process that aligns each lens and sensor pair using the optical qualities of the lens-sensor system as reference points to guide the assembly process has been developed atAutomated Engineering Inc. (Boston, MA, USA; www.aeiboston.com) and Unovis Solutions (Binghamton, NY, USA; www.unovis-solutions.com). In operation, the sensor looks through the lens at a target, which facilitates the type of tests and algorithms for the camera's characteristics that need optimization. The active alignment system communicates with the sensor using a standard sensor communications protocol. If the image of the target acquired by the sensor is out of focus the system adjusts the lens in 5 degrees of freedom using focus scores across multiple regions of the target image and optimizes the exact positioning of the lens in all dimensions--translational and rotational to achieve a crisp focus. Once the active alignment system achieves optimal alignment, the lens exits and an adhesive goes on. After realignment, the lens receives a high-intensity UV beam to cure the adhesive. The lens-sensor module goes through some final tests before being laser marked with a 2-D barcode, logged, and released onto the outward conveyor. For more information, go to: www.isa.org