3D Printing of Optical Components and Systems Using a Consumer-Grade 3D Printer: Expanding Access to Optical Fabrication

Additive manufacturing is an appealing option for expanding accessibility of optical fabrication; however, most efforts have thus far focused on machines with cost, size, and time limitations. Here, we demonstrate a method of optical manufacturing using a consumer-grade stereolithographic printer. Singlet and doublet lenses, as well as dispersing prisms, were created and placed in an FDM printed housing to create a consumer-grade printed spectrometer system. Elements were post-processed in two different ways using the lithographic resin and optical quality was compared between methods. Results from the printed spectrometer system closely matched those obtained using a commercially available spectrometer system.