ARC

Optics In Onshape

Optical System imported using ARC for Onshape available in the Onshape App store

ARC is a cloud-based optical simulation platform that brings your optical and mechanical design teams together in Onshape. Develop your opto-mechanical systems faster and more accurately.

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A STEP Beyond

Go beyond the limitations of STEP files when working with optical systems in CAD

Features

ARC + Onshape

STEP + Solidworks

Onshape Native Features

✓

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Opto-Mechanical Datum

✓

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Optical Prescription

✓

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Mech-E Defined Lens Edges

✓

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Labeled Part Geometry

✓

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Direct Import to PartStudio

✓

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Material Properties

✓

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Spherical Surfaces

✓

✓

Aspheric Surfaces

✓

✓

Freeform Surfaces

Coming Soon

✓

Complex Lens Apertures

✓

✓

Try Arc for Free

Supported Features

  • Onshape Native Features

    Work with familiar Onshape feature definitions that allow you to see how the optical elements are defined and get the data that you care about, from radius of curvature to positions

  • Opto-Mechanical Datum

    View and utilize optical datums like centers of curvature or vertices, allowing you to define the mechanics to what matters

  • Optical Prescription

    Verify the optical system meets requirements and matches mechanical drawings

  • Mech-E Defined Lens Edges

    Mechanical engineers can build out the physical lens apertures to define the custom needed mechanical outer apertures.

  • Labeled Part Geometry

    Easily define component names to assure the entire team is aligned and can iterate faster on design

  • Direct Import to PartStudio

    Unify your optics and mechanics workflow into Onshape, reducing file version errors and allowing you to get to market faster

  • Spherical and Conic Surfaces

    Precisely model the most common optical surface, allowing you to precisely model the mechanics to your lenses

  • Aspheric Surfaces

    Build your mechanics around complex aspheric lenses common in a variety of optical designs

  • Non-Circular Lens Apertures

    Precisely model complex aperture shapes to assure no rays are blocked and stray light is controlled

  • Material Properties

    Optical glass density is imported so your mass estimates are accurate

  • Multi-Config Systems

    Import multiple configurations into the model with elements that are automatically labeled so you see the whole model in context

  • Freeform Surfaces (Coming Soon)

    natively model even the most complex optical surfaces in Onshape

Not Yet Supported

  • Analysis

    Optical analysis, including spot diagrams, modulation transfer function, and image analysis. Tolerance analysis and Opto-mechanical analysis are not yet supported

  • Non-Sequential Ray Tracing

    Currently, ARC supports only sequential ray tracing. Non-sequential coming soon.

  • Optimization

    Optimization of optical systems is in the works but is not currently supported

  • Live Updates

    Live system design and ray trace updates and not yet supported. You must upload a new design file to update the ray trace.

  • Automatic Component Replacement

    You must manually delete any optical components before uploading an identical lens.

  • Custom Materials Libraries

    Currently we do not support custom materials libraries but support is planned for the future

  • Unsupported System Types

    Holographic systems, Freeform surfaces., Toroidal and Cylindrical surfaces., Polynomial type surfaces, and Polarization based systems

  • Automated part drawings

    ISO 10110 and other technical drawings are not yet supported