Overview
ISO 10110-6:2015 - part of the ISO 10110 series on optics and photonics - defines how to present centring tolerances for optical elements, subassemblies and assemblies in technical drawings used for manufacturing and inspection. The standard specifies rules and notation for indicating centring (decentre and tilt) of a wide range of optical surface types: plano, rotationally invariant (spherical/aspheric), circular cylindrical, non‑circular cylindrical and non‑symmetrical (general) surfaces. General surface descriptions reference ISO 10110‑19.
Keywords: ISO 10110-6, centring tolerances, optical drawings, optics and photonics standard, optical tolerancing.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and purpose: Presentation of design and functional centring requirements for optical elements and systems on engineering drawings.
- Surface types covered: Plano surfaces, spherical and aspheric (rotationally invariant), circular cylindrical, non‑circular cylindrical, and non‑symmetrical (general) surfaces.
- Datum conventions: Definitions and requirements for datum axis, datum point, datum features and datum systems used to reference centring tolerances.
- Centring parameters: Specification of tilt angles, lateral displacements and other location parameters appropriate to each surface type.
- Indication on drawings: Rules for how to present centring tolerances graphically and in tabulated data (see sections on indication in drawings, datum axis/point, centring tolerance and location).
- Special cases: Guidance for cement wedges in cemented assemblies, surfaces without optical function, field stops, reticles and subassemblies.
- Normative references: Aligns with geometrical product specification standards such as ISO 1101 and ISO 5459 and integrates with other ISO 10110 parts (Part 1, Part 10, Part 19).
Practical Applications and Users
ISO 10110-6 is essential for organizations and roles involved in optical product realization:
- Optical designers and systems engineers - to communicate acceptable decentre/tilt limits that preserve optical performance.
- Mechanical designers and CAD/draftspersons - to correctly indicate datum systems and centring tolerances on manufacturing drawings.
- Manufacturing engineers and assemblers - to interpret centring requirements for lens mounting, barrel assembly and alignment procedures.
- Quality assurance and inspection teams - to verify conformance using appropriate datum references and measurement methods.
- Procurement and suppliers - to ensure supplier drawings and acceptance criteria match design intent.
Keywords: optical designers, manufacturing drawings, alignment tolerances, optical inspection.
Related Standards
- ISO 10110 (series) - Preparation of drawings for optical elements and systems (Parts 1, 10, 19, etc.)
- ISO 1101 - Geometrical product specifications (GPS): tolerancing of form, orientation, location and run‑out
- ISO 5459 - GPS: datums and datum systems
ISO 10110-6 provides the drawing-level rules that link optical design tolerances to manufacturing and inspection practice, ensuring clear, unambiguous communication of centring requirements across the optics supply chain.