Effective Contaminant Removal
Removes sub-micron particles, polishing residues, machining oils, and handling films
Flawless Optics Start with
Flawless Cleaning
We Know What You're Up Against
Manufacturing precision optics isn't forgiving. The performance of precision optical components is directly linked to the quality of their cleaning. A trace of residue, a micro scratch, or a stubborn contaminant can derail the entire production process – especially right before coating or final inspection.
Does this sound familiar?
- Residues that survive ultrasonic cleaning
- Contamination affecting coating adhesion
- Water spots, haze, or streaks on anti-reflective(AR)-coated surfaces
- Defects flagged during inspection
- High rejection rates and rework costs
- Delays caused by cleaning inconsistencies
We understand your struggles!
Our precision optics cleaning solutions are formulated to solve these exact problems.
Cleaning Solutions Engineered for Precision Optics – From Inspection to Final Assembly
Whether you're preparing optics for inspection, coating, or final assembly, our proven optics cleaning solutions deliver consistently spotless results – without risking damage to delicate surfaces or coatings.
Our broad portfolio of solvent-based cleaners (DUALENE™) and water-based cleaners (HYDRENE™) help precision optics manufacturers achieve desired cleanliness that is ready for inspection, and ready for coating.
Our cleaners are highly effective at removing organic and inorganic contaminants, including:
| Contaminants common before inspection: | Contaminants common before coating: |
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The Right Clean for Every Substrate
Our solutions are formulated for safety, performance, and compatibility – even with delicate or challenging materials:
Float glass and display-grade substrates
- used in imaging, sensors, and touch panels
Fused silica and quartz glass
- used in high-precision laser and UV optics
High-index glasses like heavy flint (SF, etc.) and heavy crown glass (SK, SSK, PSK, etc.)
- for lens manufacturing
Infrared materials such as Germanium (Ge) and Zinc Selenide (ZnSe)
– critical for IR and thermal imaging systems
Zerodur® and other ceramics
- perfect for mirrors and metrology optics
Sapphire windows and lenses
– ultra-hard, chemically resistant, and common in harsh environments
LCD and cover glass
– used in displays and photonics modules
Optical surfaces made of
– polycarbonate, polyurethane and other organic materials
Precision Cleaning You Can Count On
Engineered for the demands of precision optics manufacturing, our cleaning chemistries are distinguished by the following key performance features:
Residue-Free Finish
Leaves no streaks, films, or deposits; ideal for pre-coating and post-polish cleaning
Coating-Safe Formulation
Non-aggressive toward AR (anti-reflective), HR (high-reflective), and dielectric optical coatings
Process Compatibility
- Ultrasonic and megasonic cleaning (cavitation-stable)
- Immersion, spray, and manual cleaning systems
- Rinses clean with DI or filtered water with no redeposition or spotting
Substrate Compatibility
Tested and proven effective on fused silica, BK7, Calcium fluoride (CaF₂), optical crystals, coated optics and specialty glasses
Want to learn more about our comprehensive portfolio of solvent-based and water-based cleaners?
Tailored Cleaning Processes That Deliver
Even the best cleaner fails without the right process. Precision optics cleaning requires a precise combination of advanced machine technology, specialized chemistries, tailored processes and a deep understanding of the substrates to achieve optimal cleaning results.
That’s why our support goes beyond chemistry – we help you engineer full cleaning workflows.
We develop customized cleaning processes through meticulous consideration of the required cleanliness standards, substrate materials, types of contaminants and required throughput to ensure precise selection and combination of cleaning media.
In addition, we offer process optimization support including on-site support for trials and process set-up, as well as lab services to make sure you are getting the most effective clean possible.
Our Full Service Offerings:
- Specialized aqueous- and solvent-based cleaner portfolio
- Tailored customer processes
- On-site support for trials and process set-up
- Lab services
Coating Specialist Wohlrab Achieves High-Precision Optics Cleaning
Wohlrab Aufdampftechnik GmbH is a specialist of advanced coating technologies. The company offers a broad range of coating solutions across different industries, including biocompatible coatings for medical devices, decorative automotive coating, and functional coatings for precision optical components like lenses and mirrors.
The Challenge
As a job coating contractor, Wohlrab handles a wide range of delicate optical objects, such as laser optics, lenses, prisms, mirrors, quartz and IR glass. These components require stringent cleaning to ensure coating performance and adhesion.
The company needed a reliable and flexible cleaning set-up capable of servicing their diverse optical components within a single system, while meeting stringent cleanliness standards suitable for subsequent coating processes.
The Solution
Wohlrab invested in a multi-stage ultrasonic cleaning system (PerformanceLineS) from UCM. SAFECHEM collaborated closely with Wohlrab and UCM to develop a number of customized cleaning processes utilizing its aqueous cleaner portfolio.
Wohlrab can now take advantage of efficient, customized and fully adaptable processes to clean various optics, including float glass, quartz glass as well as sensitive lenses such as heavy flint and heavy crown glass.
Designed for the Critical Demands of Precision Optics Manufacturing
From laser optics to precision sensors, our cleaning solutions support optical applications that demand uncompromising surface quality:
- Laser & Imaging Optics
- Telecom & Fiber Optic Systems
- Medtech & Biomedical Devices
- Scientific & Metrology Instrumentation
- Aerospace & Defense Optics
- Photonics Sensors & Modules
Get a personalized consultation today, and see the difference our optical cleaning solutions can make in your manufacturing workflow.
Not sure if our cleaning chemistry is right for you?
Speak directly with our application engineers and get a compatibility review based on your substrates and coatings.
