Tecnottica Consonni continues to strengthen its production and metrology departments through targeted investments in advanced technologies. The latest additions, supplied by XONOX Technology GmbH, represent a significant step forward in the precision and automation of optical quality control, both in production and laboratory environments.
Enhanced Quality Control with the VT1200
The first of the new systems is the VT1200 Vertical Interferometer System, a high-precision interferometric tower designed for industrial use, capable of accurately measuring the radius of curvature of optical surfaces. Thanks to its natural granite column, air-bearing slide, and advanced fringe analysis system, the VT1200 enables precise measurement of optical surfaces with radii of up to 1400 mm, and measurement accuracy up to ±0.7 μm over 500 mm.
The system provides a wide working range, with smooth and precise vertical movements that facilitate the setup and measurement of even large optical components. The integrated air-bearing guide allows for stable and easy positioning, reducing friction and ensuring greater reliability during use.
Equipped with a robust vibration damping system and a user interface optimized for production environments, the machine is ideal for continuous use in our industrial setting. It is also equipped with X-Fringe² software for fringe analysis, ensuring seamless integration with other tools and existing workflows.
With this instrument, Tecnottica further enhances its capabilities in characterizing large-diameter optical lenses, reinforcing its expertise in the manufacturing of high-precision, complex optics.
CM140: non-contact optical Centering Control
To support quality control of optical lenses, Tecnottica has also acquired the CM140, a second-generation centering error measurement system. This versatile and intuitive machine is ideal for both production and inspection environments, enabling fast and accurate detection of any misalignments between the optical axis and mechanical geometry of the lens.
The system features a precision Autocollimator and a secondary substage Collimator, allowing for measurements in both transmission and reflection, depending on the application.
The dedicated X-cm software enables automatic documentation of results and efficient management of lens batches, streamlining workflows and reducing processing time. Automatic in-spec/out-of-spec marking provides immediate feedback on lens quality, accelerating decision-making on the production floor.
Additionally, the CM140 is network-ready and compatible with common traceability tools such as QR code readers and data export systems, making it an ideal fit for structured industrial environments like ours. This system significantly improves both the efficiency and repeatability of quality checks, ensuring the geometric and functional conformity of lenses before final assembly or shipment.
Both systems are designed not only for lab use, but also for direct integration into production lines, bringing quality control closer to the heart of the manufacturing process. This results in faster, more agile workflows, adapted to real-time needs.
These new additions are part of Tecnottica’s ongoing investment in building a complete, automated, and increasingly autonomous production line. From Aspheric and Spherical lenses to Freeforms and highly customized optical elements, each component can now be inspected, corrected, and validated with nanometric precision.
This is a major step forward in delivering high-performance, custom-made optics, granted by the most advanced metrology technologies.
Moving Toward Industry 4.0 and 5.0
The introduction of the VT1200 and CM140 systems is fully aligned with Tecnottica Consonni’s evolution toward Industry 4.0, and forward-looking toward Industry 5.0.
These tools mark an important advancement in the digitalization and automation of production processes, two cornerstones of the Industry 4.0 paradigm. Both systems are equipped with smart software that enables the automation of measurement cycles and real-time analysis of results. This not only allows for immediate documentation at every stage of quality control, but also reduces manual intervention, minimizes errors, and improves operational efficiency.
Another key strength is traceability and interoperability. The CM140, for example, integrates smoothly into digital production workflows, thanks to its compatibility with QR readers, internal networks, and automated data export systems. Machines communicate directly with enterprise management systems, improving the consistency and completeness of production information.
Looking further ahead, the adoption of these systems also aligns with the values of Industry 5.0, which focuses on human-centered innovation, workplace well-being, and sustainable process optimization. The intuitive, touch-optimized interfaces simplify machine interaction, reduce cognitive load, and improve workplace ergonomics, enabling faster onboarding even for less experienced operators.
In addition, the modular and scalable architecture of the new systems allows Tecnottica to handle even highly customized or variable-volume productions with ease. This level of flexibility is fully in line with Industry 5.0 principles, where the ability to respond quickly to specific customer needs becomes a strategic competitive advantage.
The adoption of the VT1200 and CM140 is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic move toward digital and intelligent manufacturing transformation. Tecnottica strengthens its ability to deliver custom, traceable, real-time-controlled optical components, produced through sustainable and smart processes.
An investment that looks to the future, firmly grounded in Tecnottica’s commitment to precision, quality, and long-term innovation.