To integrate CAD and CAM systems for optical designs, a mathematical model of the manufacturing process is required. Once this model is developed, then the consequences of design decisions on the manufacturing process can be computed. In addition, the programs necessary to manufacture a particular design on the CAM system can be generated directly from the CAD system. Research is planned to develop the mathematical models necessary so that surfaces created on a CAM system can be described in terms of the CAD system can be translated into the controls required to create the optical surface on the CAM system. These models will account for both spherical and aspherical surfaces.
