Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-09-14 Origin: Site
From September 9 to 11, 2026, the Apex team joined optical manufacturers, research institutions, precision component manufacturers, equipment distributors and industry partners at CIOE 2026 in Shenzhen.
At Hall 5, Booth 5D21, we presented equipment, components and samples related to ultra-precision optical manufacturing. The three-day event gave us an opportunity to discuss practical requirements for magnetorheological finishing, ultra-precision grinding and single-point diamond turning with visitors from markets across Europe and Asia.
Rather than focusing only on machine specifications, many conversations began with the workpiece: its material, geometry, initial condition, target accuracy and production requirements.
The exhibits included a compact desktop ultra-precision single-point diamond turning machine, the PKC300-Q magnetorheological finishing machine, ultra-precision optical samples and an aerostatic spindle.
Together, these exhibits represented several important stages and components within an ultra-precision manufacturing process.
The PKC300-Q attracted attention from visitors looking for a controlled method of optical surface correction.
Magnetorheological finishing uses a stable and controllable polishing zone combined with a calculated tool path. It is commonly evaluated for applications requiring deterministic correction of surface figure while controlling the effect on surface quality.
However, selecting an MRF machine cannot be based only on nominal aperture. The evaluation also needs to consider:
Workpiece material
Diameter and overall dimensions
Flat, spherical, aspheric or freeform geometry
Curvature and surface slope
Initial surface error
Edge accessibility
Fixture design
Target figure accuracy
Surface quality requirements
Available metrology
These conditions determine whether a machine configuration can reach the required area, control the correction process and support the intended inspection method.
Learn more about our magnetorheological finishing machines.
The desktop ultra-precision single-point diamond turning machine prompted discussions about two-axis, three-axis and five-axis configurations.
Visitors were particularly interested in how the number of controlled axes affects the types of surfaces that can be generated. A standard rotationally symmetric component, a freeform surface and an optical component containing microstructures may require different machine motion, tooling, fixturing and software capabilities.
Machine selection therefore needs to consider not only part size but also:
Surface geometry
Rotational or non-rotational symmetry
Tool accessibility
Required spindle performance
Tool path complexity
Material machinability
Form accuracy and surface finish targets
Measurement and compensation methods
Explore our ultra-precision diamond machining systems.
The optical samples displayed at the booth helped connect equipment capabilities with actual workpiece requirements. They also encouraged discussions about how turning, grinding, polishing and metrology need to work together throughout the manufacturing process.
The aerostatic spindle represented another important foundation of ultra-precision machining. Controlled spindle motion, low friction and stable rotation are relevant to surface generation, repeatability and process consistency.
Learn more about our precision motion components.
Visitors raised several materials in relation to MRF, grinding and SPDT applications:
Silicon
Silicon carbide
Silicon wafers
K9 optical glass
Ultra-low expansion glass
These materials have different mechanical, optical and thermal characteristics. They cannot automatically be assigned to the same machining route.
For example, the appropriate process may depend on material hardness, brittleness, crystalline structure, subsurface damage sensitivity, required surface finish and the geometry of the workpiece. A material that can be processed by one method may still require another process for final figure correction or surface improvement.
For this reason, material information should always be evaluated together with the workpiece drawing, initial condition and target specifications.
The questions collected during CIOE 2026 reflected the practical decisions optical manufacturers face when planning a new machine or process.
Machining accuracy cannot be determined from one specification alone.
The final result depends on the machine configuration, workpiece material, fixture, tooling, environmental conditions, initial surface error, process parameters and measurement method. The definition of accuracy must also be clear: form accuracy, positioning accuracy, surface roughness and repeatability describe different aspects of performance.
A technical evaluation should therefore define both the target and the acceptance method before a machine configuration is recommended.
MRF, ultra-precision grinding and SPDT perform different functions within an optical manufacturing route.
The correct selection depends on the material, geometry, starting condition and target result. In some applications, more than one process may be required. Grinding may establish the initial geometry, diamond turning may generate a precision surface on a suitable material, and deterministic polishing may be used for subsequent surface correction.
A process route should be evaluated as a coordinated sequence rather than as a list of independent machines.
Freeform optical surfaces and microstructured components were frequently discussed at the booth.
Their feasibility depends on more than whether a machine is described as a freeform-capable system. Important factors include axis configuration, motion range, surface slope, tool geometry, collision avoidance, interpolation, fixture orientation and metrology coverage.
A simplified drawing is normally required before confirming whether the complete surface can be reached, machined and measured.
Some visitors asked whether magnetorheological fluid could be supplied separately, adapted to specific process requirements or evaluated for use with an existing third-party MRF platform.
Fluid compatibility should be assessed for the specific equipment and application. Relevant factors may include the circulation system, magnetic field conditions, wheel configuration, fluid control requirements, workpiece material and intended removal behavior.
Compatibility should not be assumed from the fluid name alone. Testing and technical confirmation are recommended before it is introduced into an existing process.
Customization may be considered when the standard fluid does not match the material or process requirement. However, formulation changes can affect removal behavior, fluid stability, circulation and process control.
A request for customized fluid should therefore include the equipment model, workpiece material, current process, target result and any observed problems. Separate fluid supply and formulation requirements need to be evaluated on a project-specific basis.
Sample trials can provide useful information when a customer needs to evaluate material behavior, surface accessibility or a proposed process route.
Before a sample trial is arranged, the following information is normally required:
Workpiece material
Dimensions and geometry
Initial surface condition
Current measurement data
Target figure accuracy
Surface roughness or quality requirement
Areas that must or must not be processed
Quantity of available samples
Intended production requirement
The scope, measurement method and evaluation criteria should be agreed before testing begins.
The initial project discussions at CIOE 2026 were concentrated in two main directions.
The first involved ultra-precision machining of freeform optical components. These applications require coordinated evaluation of geometry, axis configuration, tool accessibility, fixture orientation and measurement capability.
The second involved equipment for precision polishing, surface correction and subsequent ultra-precision processing of high-accuracy optical components. These projects may require coordination between the incoming surface condition, correction process, metrology and acceptance criteria.
Apex approaches these enquiries by starting with the workpiece and target result rather than recommending a machine model before the application has been reviewed.
Explore our engineering solutions and representative case studies.
Delivery time and pricing depend on the selected equipment, machine configuration, customization scope, fixtures, process modules, metrology integration, testing and acceptance requirements.
For international projects, feasibility also needs to be assessed according to the destination, end user, intended application, equipment specifications and applicable compliance requirements. Technical documents, quotations and delivery arrangements may require additional information and review.
Providing complete application information at the beginning helps establish a more realistic technical proposal, project schedule and commercial quotation.
We would like to thank everyone who visited Booth 5D21 and shared their application requirements with the Apex team.
The discussions around MRF, ultra-precision grinding, SPDT, optical materials, freeform surfaces and process fluids showed that customers are not simply looking for individual machines. They are looking for technically appropriate equipment and process configurations that match their actual workpieces.
If you met our team at CIOE 2026 and would like to continue the discussion, or if you were unable to visit the exhibition, please send us:
Workpiece material
Dimensions
Surface geometry
Initial surface condition
Target accuracy
Surface quality requirements
Current process and equipment
Required production volume
Destination country and intended application
