Bio-inspired manufacturing of molded optics and optical systems

Manufacturing technology is driven by ever increasing demands of costs, quality and lead time. For many existing industries, digitization is key to obtain these goals in the future. In terms of optics production, it is rather a research topic. Meanwhile, the so called "Biological Transformation" is said to be the subsequent industrial revolution. This paper will explain this development and translate it to the optics production. Two examples of biologically transformed production scenarios will be presented. The presentation concludes with an assessment, whether "Biological Transformation" can deliver a substantial innovation push to optics manufacturing and glass molding in particular.