Wells Research & Development

Wells Research Introduces AlignmentStudio

Wells Research Announces AlignmentStudio™ - Flexible, Modular System for Building Optical Test Instruments

Lincoln, MA (May 27, 2003)-Wells Research and Development (WRD), a developer of innovative instrumentation for challenging optical measurement and alignment tasks, today announced AlignmentStudio™, a new family of modular hardware and software tools for rapid development of optical test and measurement fixtures. Based on a flexible, mix-and-match design, AlignmentStudio features a selection of tightly integrated components, including optical instruments, image analysis software, and mounting hardware. The unique dovetail design permits complex systems to be quickly assembled and disassembled, while maintaining precision and rigidity when locked in place.

"Creating an optical measurement system has always presented the engineer with a wide array of challenges," said Ben Wells, President of Wells Research and Development. "Assembly fixtures, especially, can be key to making a smooth transition from hand-assembled prototypes to volume production. Leaving these fixtures to the last minute can be a costly mistake. AlignmentStudio provides the engineer with a higher level of integration, allowing them to concentrate on performing the measurement task instead of constructing the fixture."
Precision Optical Instruments

AlignmentStudio is based on a modular, desktop design that creates a suite of precision optical instruments-microscopes, collimators, telescopes, autocollimators, and more. Systems are configured from a set of integrated precision optical components, including light sources, detectors, collimator tubes, and lenses. All components feature a unique dovetail mounting system that makes it easy to connect the parts in a precise and reliable manner. Instruments can be quickly disassembled for cleaning or can be reused in other setups. The keyed dovetails guarantee the system cannot be reconfigured in an optically incorrect manner.

Originally developed for lens testing, an application that requires extremely high quality imaging, each AlignmentStudio lensed component includes a certificate of optical performance. Components include:

AlignmentStudio Collimator Tubes, choose 100mm, 200mm, or 400mm objectives, "L" or "S" tubes. "L" lens tubes accept a single sensor or source, while "S" tubes accept a beamsplitter block with two sensor ports.
AlignmentStudio Sources and Detectors, choose from Firewire video cameras, illuminated reticles and filters, 15X eyepieces, amplified photodiodes, and more.
AlignmentStudio Auxiliary Lenses, choose from 4X, 10X, and 20X microscope lenses; 2X, 1X, and 0.66X close focus lenses; coaxial "spider" adaptors with 7X lenses; and cylindrical lenses.

Image Analysis Software

AlignmentStudio systems feature the company's PixelScope™ image analysis software. Based on the same modular design concepts as the AlignmentStudio hardware, PixelScope features a powerful array of functions. Users can capture and display live images and zoom down to the pixel level. Images can be averaged over multiple camera frames to reduce noise and ROI (region of interest) selection can be performed in real time. Analysis tools include feature and edge finding, histogram, spot size, and encircled energy.

"Frame grabber cards and software libraries can significantly slow the development process," said Ben Wells. "PixelScope has the right feature set to allow engineers to work at a higher level of integration, focusing their time on making real time measurements, not writing software."

PixelScope is also available as an OCX for incorporation into customer projects. In this form, PixelScope provides the front-end to display and manage images in real time. ROIs can be automated or performed in real time by hand. Data is accessible as an array from the host application.
Flexible Mechanics

AlignmentStudio provides a wide range of extrusions, clamps, and motion components for quick and easy assembly of robust, mechanical structures to support the instruments.

Unlike traditional optical test systems that provide hard-wired configurations, AlignmentStudio allows the creation of a variety of complex optical systems using individual components. R&D can build proof-of-concept prototypes, optical engineering can create more complex optical test systems, and production can develop assembly and alignment fixtures. For instance:

To check wedge angles in a roof mirror for a consumer optical product, create an AlignmentStudio Autocollimator. Start with a WRD 200mm collimator tube "S", add a 50/50 beamsplitter, Sony NTSC camera, standard reticle, and fixed rail mount. A customer-designed, adjustable nest completes the setup. This tightly specified system can easily be modified for other applications.
To check the placement accuracy of semiconductor chips in a multi-component package, create an AlignmentStudio 10X microscope. Combine a 200mm collimator tube "L", add a VGA FireWire camera, an auxiliary 10X lens (NA 1.4, F2.8), and fixed rail mount. Combine with PixelScope software for dimensional measurement capability. This system is quickly configured without the usual requirement of multiple phone calls to different vendors.

Pricing & Availability

AlignmentStudio includes a range of optical components, mounting hardware, and PixelScope software. PixelScope runs on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP system. Final configurations vary according to the selection of components and accessories. Prices start at $6,000.

A wide range of AlignmentStudio systems, including specialized editions of PixelScope software, can be purchased through the Wells Research and Development web site at http://www.wellsresearch.com. Delivery is 30 days ARO. AlignmentStudio components were created in cooperation with ThorLabs; individual components can be purchased through the ThorLabs web site at http://www.thorlabs.com.
About Wells Research and Development

Wells Research and Development (WRD) creates custom optical instrumentation for challenging measurement and alignment applications. Founded by Ben Wells after a distinguished career in engineering and management at Polaroid and Teradyne, the company combines expertise in optics, precision mechanics, software, and motion systems. The company's OpticStudio™ is a manual lens testing system that performs detailed measurements on a wide range of lenses. AlignmentStudio™ is a modular family of precision components for building optical alignment systems. Additional WRD services include analysis, design, proof-of-concept models, and prototypes of optical and mechanical subsystems. For more information, see http://www.wellsresearch.com.

For further information, contact:
Ben Wells, President
Wells Research and Development
15A Lewis Street
Lincoln, MA 01773 USA
+1 781.259.8667, Fax: +1 781.259.8009
Email: ben@wellsresearch.com
Web: http://www.wellsresearch.com

PR Office:
Shari Worthington, President
Telesian Technology Inc.
49 Midgley Lane
Worcester, MA 01604 USA
+1 508.755.5242, Fax: +1 508.795.1636
Email: sharilee@telesian.com