Overview
ISO 10110-1:2019 - Optics and photonics - Preparation of drawings for optical elements and systems - Part 1: General - defines the general layout and presentation rules for technical drawings of optical elements and assemblies. It standardizes how optical characteristics and tolerances are shown, consolidates the previously separate tabular format (ISO 10110‑10) into Part 1, and provides examples and conventions to reduce ambiguity in optical drawings.
Key SEO keywords: ISO 10110-1, optical drawings, optics and photonics, tabular format, drawing standards, optical tolerances.
Key topics and requirements
- Preferred tabular drawing format (now described in 5.1): drawings are divided into three fields - drawing field, table field, and title field - with sample layouts and examples.
- Presentation of optical characteristics and tolerances including surface form, transmitted wavefront deviation (specified in nanometres or micrometres/fringe spacings).
- Mandatory inclusion of drawing scale and reference wavelength on drawings (examples: “Ind. acc. ISO 10110; λ = 546,07 nm” or “λ = 632,8 nm”).
- Units and environmental references: linear dimensions in millimetres, reference temperature 20 °C, and consistent decimal notation per ISO 80000‑1.
- Enhanced coordinate and geometry conventions: ability to define global and local coordinate systems for each surface and the part as a whole; rules for axes, leader lines, dimensioning (radius, thickness, diameter, angles), test regions/volumes, and test fields.
- Material and optical-property indications: guidance on material specification, crystallographic axes, refractive index, Abbe numbers, and where separate wavelengths apply.
- Administrative and normative notes: GPS defaults no longer apply automatically - they must be explicitly invoked; references to other ISO parts and standards (e.g., ISO 10110‑6, ‑11, ‑12, ‑18, ISO 128‑24).
Applications and who uses it
ISO 10110-1 is essential for:
- Optical designers and lens/system engineers preparing specification drawings
- Mechanical drafters and CAD specialists creating manufacturable optical drawings
- Manufacturers, quality engineers and inspectors verifying tolerances and test requirements
- Procurement and contract engineers who must unambiguously specify optical components (lenses, mirrors, prisms, cemented assemblies)
Practical uses include generating tabular drawings for multi-surface optics, specifying assembly interfaces, defining test regions, and ensuring consistent interpretation across vendors.
Related standards
Relevant documents referenced by ISO 10110-1 include:
Using ISO 10110-1 improves clarity, reduces drawing misinterpretation, and enables consistent global communication of optical specifications.