For the precise and low-stress machining of infrared lenses with diamond wire saws or IR windows with precision cutting systems, the cutting equipment used must control a stable operating point with both high dimensional accuracy and process consistency, so that a high optical performance can be achieved.

Similar technical requirements must be covered by cutting systems used in IR filter manufacturing or infrared optical component processing for aerospace and thermal imaging applications. However, a somewhat tighter surface quality is often required here, as infrared optical components tend to be more demanding in transmission performance due to their application in high-precision optical systems.

In addition to the cutting technology requirements, the demands for the lowest possible production cost of optical processing equipment are also increasing, and with them the reliability and energy efficiency of the cutting systems used. Diamond wire saws for infrared component machining should operate as stably as possible, particularly in high-volume cleanroom production, but also to minimize material waste and sub-surface damage. In times of rising raw material costs, the material utilization of the cutting systems used in lens manufacturing, window processing or custom IR component production is becoming increasingly important for cost-effective infrared optical component manufacturing.