Precision Measurement at the Heart of Advanced Optoelectronics
Crytur specializes in the design, production, and delivery of integrated optoelectronic and optomechanical assemblies. The foundation of these products lies in synthetic crystals, which Crytur produces in-house. Because the company’s products demand exceptional dimensional and shape accuracy, Crytur relies on high-end measuring machines and gauges from Mitutoyo to ensure every component meets stringent specifications.
A Legacy of Crystals in the Bohemian Paradise
Based in Turnov, Czech Republic, in the scenic Bohemian Paradise, Crytur benefits from a region renowned not only for its natural beauty and historic landmarks but also as a rich source of semi-precious stones. Agates, jaspers, amethysts, and rock crystals here are remnants of Permian–Carboniferous volcanic activity. Inspired by nature, Crytur’s experts synthesize crystals for advanced technical applications.
Synthetic garnets and perovskites, for instance, serve as active media in lasers or X-ray imaging systems, while lead-tungstate crystals function as scintillators in high-energy physics. At CERN, these crystals have played a vital role in experiments such as the 2012 Higgs boson discovery. While Crytur did not supply crystals for that specific project, thousands of Turnov-produced crystals now underpin key ongoing experiments at CERN.
The company also manufactures sapphire profiles, commonly used as protective thermocouple housings in the glass and petrochemical industries, alongside optical elements with functional thin layers applied through vacuum evaporation.
From Components to Complete Detection Assemblies
A significant part of Crytur’s production today focuses on detection units for electron microscopy. Detectors for back-reflected and secondary electrons are critical for imaging at nanometer resolution. “Crytur collaborates with Czech and international manufacturers of electron microscopes,” explains Jan Bitman, Crytur’s Marketing Manager. “Our high-end detectors are used not only in laboratory instruments but also in industrial electron microscopes for semiconductor quality control. These detection units represent one of the few direct Czech contributions to microchip manufacturing.”
Meeting New Challenges in Quality Control
Expanding into complex optoelectronic and optomechanical assemblies introduced new challenges in quality control. “The parts must fit together with extreme precision,” says Gabriela Tausig, Head of Quality Management at Crytur. “We are talking about dimensional tolerances in tens of micrometers and shape and position tolerances in sub-micron ranges.” To meet these exacting standards, Crytur has invested in an extensive fleet of Mitutoyo measuring machines and instruments.
Coordinate Measuring Machines
Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) form the backbone of Crytur’s quality assurance. The company employs high-end STRATO-Apex bridge-type machines in two sizes: STRATO-Apex 574 and STRATO-Apex 9106. Both feature air bearings on all axes, high-precision measuring rulers with minimal thermal expansion, and a resolution of 0.02 µm. The STRATO-Apex 574 measures up to 500 × 700 × 400 mm, while the STRATO-Apex 9106 handles parts up to 900 × 1,000 × 600 mm. Two machines of each type operate in two dedicated measuring laboratories.
Smaller parts are handled by CRYSTA-Apex S 574 and CRYSTA-Apex V 544 CNC CMMs, complemented by compact manual CRYSTA-Plus M 443 machines for simple operations.
Specialized Measurement Instruments
Crytur also utilizes Mitutoyo ROUNDTEST RA-2200 and RA-1600 instruments to measure circularity and concentricity with high precision. The RA-2200 features automatic centering, while the RA-1600 relies on manual centering via the DAT (Digimatic Adjustment Table) function, offering flexibility for complex measurement tasks.
Sensitive polished surfaces are measured using visual instruments, including two Quick Vision Active QVT1-L404 systems (resolution 0.1 µm, measuring range 400 × 400 × 200 mm) and two Quick Scope QS-250 Z systems for smaller parts. Additionally, five TM-1005B measuring microscopes allow precise evaluation of dimensions, angles, and shapes of miniature components. A full suite of calipers, micrometers, and other gauges—all with digital outputs—completes the measurement setup.
“Cheaper alternatives exist, but we need instruments that are accurate and reliable throughout their lifetime,” notes Tausig. “Mitutoyo’s engineers are always available to help with service, calibration, and troubleshooting,”
Integrated Software for Efficiency
Crytur’s production is typically small-scale, with batch sizes in the tens of units. For this reason, measurement software is crucial. MCOSMOS, paired with the offline programming environment MiCAT Planner, enables quick setup of measurement procedures directly from parts, models, or drawings. MeasurLink software provides Statistical Process Control (SPC), allowing Crytur to monitor trends, detect deviations, and optimize production efficiency in real time.
Jan Bitman concludes: “In markets where precision is everything, like silicon wafer production in semiconductors, accuracy cannot be compromised. Detecting a single flaw in a complex detector is like finding an ant in a city, and you have seconds to do it. That’s why we rely on the best measurement technology available.”
For more information: www.mitutoyo.eu
