Transmission centering instrument · TCI-01
A clear axis
for every process.
A focused transmission platform for optical manufacturers who need repeatable centering before core-grinding, edging and assembly.
TCI-01 / CENTERMOONOPTICAL REFERENCE AXISTCI-01
Built around operator confidence.
TCI-01 establishes a stable optical reference with a clean, non-contact transmission path. It turns a critical alignment decision into a visible, repeatable step on the production floor.
Reduce uneven edge thickness caused by lens decentration
Improve lens-group coaxiality and assembly consistency
Reduce decentration-related coma, astigmatism and other image defects
Reduce repeated adjustment and rework to improve edging efficiency
Turn experience-led centering into an intuitive, repeatable optical observation process
TCI-01 / SPECIFICATIONS
Technical specifications
- Compatible lenses
- Spherical, plano and aspherical
- Decentering accuracy
- ±0.2 µm / ±2 arcsec
- Recommended lens size
- 3–100 mm
- Repeatability
- 0.05%–0.3%
TCI-01 / PROCESS
From light
to alignment.
01
Transmit — Establish a stable beam through the optical part.
02
Observe — Read the optical relationship against the reference axis.
03
Align — Confirm the center before the next manufacturing step.
TCI-01 / OPERATING GUIDE
How to use the transmission centering instrument
Check the equipment
Clean the spindle, fixture and lens. Check that the spindle rotates smoothly, the fixture is secure, and the illumination and observation systems work properly.
Keep the transmitting surfaces clean: dust, oil and scratches can make the crosshair image less clear.
Mount the lens
Choose a fixture for the lens diameter and shape, then mount the lens on the rotating spindle.
Do not fully tighten it at first; leave enough lateral adjustment for centering.
Find the image manually
Switch on the illumination so light from the crosshair reticle passes through the lens.
Move the observation tube slowly forward or back according to the lens focal length and optical power. Avoid passing quickly over the sharp-image position.
Bring the crosshair into focus
Fine-tune the tube position until the transmitted crosshair has sharp edges, strong contrast and an easy-to-read center.
Adjust illumination if needed. Too much light can blur the edges; too little reduces visibility.
Rotate and observe the circular trace
Rotate the spindle slowly through one full turn.
A decentered lens causes the transmitted crosshair to trace a circle. Observe the full path and locate its center.
That center is the reference position of the spindle rotation axis in the current field of view.
Set the centering target
Move the reference crosshair or center mark to the center of the circular trace.
Use this as the target for subsequent lens adjustments. Once set, avoid changing the tube position or observation magnification.
Adjust the lens position
Stop the spindle and move the lens laterally so its transmitted crosshair approaches the target.
Rotate again after each adjustment. The circular trace shrinks as the optical axis approaches the spindle axis.
Repeat: adjust the lens → rotate the spindle → observe the trace → adjust again.
Finish centering and secure the lens
Centering is complete when the crosshair stays near the target over one full turn, with no obvious circular motion or with runout within the process tolerance.
Hold the lens in place and tighten the fixture evenly. Rotate again to confirm that tightening did not shift it.
Begin edging
With the lens centered and secured, grind the outer diameter using the spindle rotation axis as the reference.
Bring the machined outer axis as close as possible to the optical axis to reduce centering error after assembly.
TCI-01 / LIGHT SOURCE MODULETransmission illumination
Light source module for the Transmission Centering Instrument
This is the light source module for the Transmission Centering Instrument. It provides the illumination beam used by the transmission measurement path and supports a clear optical reference.