INTERVIEW: CAREERS
A “bright future in machine vision and lighting markets”
We hear from Jürgen Zosel, division manager of engineering at Orafol Fresnel Optics, a manufacturer of microstructured polymer optics
Early career In 1991, after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering, which focused on electro-forming, Zosel joined Fresnel Optics, based in Apolda, Germany. Since its foundation in 1972, Fresnel had specialised in the manufacture of compression mouldings for OHP lenses for overhead projectors. But, at the end of the 1980s, this came to a halt because the required tools became unavailable. As a result, he was taken on as Technical Manager to develop new technologies, particularly galvano-forming processes to form or grow metal parts.
Company development In the 1990s, Fresnel became a subsidiary of the US company Reflexite, a developer of OHP lenses, and Zosel
oversaw the introduction of compression moulding and injection moulding technology and galvanic treatments into Fresnel’s production processes. Over the next 10 years,
Fresnel refined its vario- thermal injection moulding processes and focused with this technology on microstructured polymer optics. But, when the LCD projector emerged, the demand for OHP lenses fell and so there was a need to broaden Fresnel‘s portfolio in 2003. Accordingly, they introduced silicone-on-glass lenses, and focused more on the solar market, that is until 2014, when the European solar market collapsed – forcing the company to downsize from a workforce of 125 to around 80. In 2011, Reflexite was bought
by Orafol Europe, and the company became known as
Orafol Fresnel Optics. Over the next few years, Fresnel continued to develop optics, including for a reduced CPV (concentrating photovoltaic systems) market. But, by 2013, the solar market had broken down completely, so they shifted towards a more flexible approach with a focus on products for the emerging markets like machine vision, sensors, lighting and the display sector. In 2016, Zosel’s friend and
Fresnel’s Managing Director suddenly died, which was a shock and challenge for the whole company. Zosel accepted the offer from Orafol for him to take over as MD, as he saw it as a way to maintain continuity for the employees – and avoid the possibility of someone coming in from the outside who may not understand the technology.
Fresnel Optics today Fresnel currently offers custom fabrication of plastic micro- and nanostructured optical components based on a complete chain of optical design, tool fabrication, precision polymer replication, and custom finishing. Its main markets are lighting and solar along with machine vision, sensors and display, which have seen spectacular growth. Machine vision is particularly important due to the wide range of polymer optics required for image processing applications. Their products, both standard and customised, include Fresnel lenses – whose surface is divided into a number of concentric grooves – cylindrical Fresnel lenses and also reflective corner cube retro- reflectors. Fresnel’s polymer optical components are also ideally suitable for use in sensor applications as the company’s range of polymer processing technologies enable them to fabricate optics of high precision, excellent contour accuracy and low stress birefringence. For display applications, the company offers the customised
“Fresnel’s Fresnel’s polymer optical components are suitable for use in sensor applications
www.electrooptics.com | @electrooptics
components are ideally suitable for use in sensor applications”
November 2022 Electro Optics 53
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