Abstract: A process for coating a product by ion exchange including: a) providing a product that contains a surface segregating species (SSS) having a low surface energy component and an ionic component wherein the SSS has segregated to an outer surface of the product to form an activated surface; and b) treating the activated surface of the product with a liquid containing a surface modifying agent comprising one or more polyionic species, wherein the polyionic species is attracted to and deposits on the activated surface through a process of ion exchange.

Abstract: An example system includes a standardized production portion to provide a set of standardized components and a customized production portion to provide a set of customized components. Each standardized component of the set of standardized components is substantially identical to one another, and each customized component of the set of customized components is selected from at least two different custom options. Each customized component includes at least a first portion of a customized part and an associated descriptor. Each customized component is physically coupled to a standardized component.

Abstract: A camera module includes a composite base, an optical lens arranged at a first side of the composite base; and a circuit board arranged at a second side of the composite base. The composite base includes a metal frame and a plastic frame. The metal frame includes a plurality of first metal strips connected end to end and at least one second metal strip corresponding extending from part of the plurality of first metal strips. The plastic frame includes a plurality of first plastic strips connected end to end and at least one second plastic strip extending from part of the plurality of first plastic strip. The first plastic strips are fixed to the first metal strips to form a top wall of the composite base, and the second plastic strips are connected to the second metal strips to form a side wall of the composite base.

Abstract: A lens-mold producing method includes a position and posture determining step of specifying positions and postures, in space coordinates, of a first mold having a molding surface for forming one optical surface of a lens and a second mold having a molding surface for forming the other optical surface, a mold holding step of rotating and/or inclining, based on the positions and postures in the space coordinates, at least one of the first and second mold, maintaining a rotation angle and/or an inclination angle of a reference plane of the first mold with respect to a reference plane of the second mold, and holding the first and second mold, and an assembling step of arranging the molding surfaces of the first and second mold so as to face each other, fixing outer peripheries of the first mold and the second mold, and assembling a lens mold.

Abstract: A production method of a mold includes: preparing a plate precursor having a protruding pattern formed of protrusions in a pattern presence region on a base, and a thermoplastic resin sheet; determining a position at which the plate precursor is to be pressed against the thermoplastic resin sheet by moving the plate precursor and the thermoplastic resin sheet relative to each other; and forming a recessed pattern on the thermoplastic resin sheet by pressing the protrusions of the plate precursor which is heated against the thermoplastic resin sheet at a position where a part of the pattern presence region of the plate precursor excluding the protrusions is separated from a surface of the thermoplastic resin sheet, cooling the plate precursor in a state in where the pressed protrusions and the thermoplastic resin sheet are in contact with each other, and separating the plate precursor from the thermoplastic resin sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing of an astigmatic contact lens having a toric portion and a ballast portion such that said ballast portion causes the toric portion of the contact lens to properly orient in the eye of the wearer. The toric lenses are manufactured by an effective process control method for cylinder axis angle in toric lens production by modifying the target cylinder angle for mold rotation by eliminating the accumulative cylinder axis error from all previous steps including tool making, tool assembly, and molding. The amount modifying the target angle is determined by accurately determine the true cylinder axis on the corresponding mold by using a high-resolution interferometer, such as FISBA FS10M or equivalent models from Trioptics ?Shape® vertical series.

Abstract: A injection molding system extracts molding data and inspection data having a difference between a first position information of a conveyance part where a molded article produced by an injection molding apparatus is picked up by a conveyor device and a second position information of the conveyance part where the molded article is inspected by an inspection device is equal to a predetermined distance between a pickup position and an inspection position, and stores the molding data and the inspection data in association with each other as a set. This configuration makes it possible to associate molding data of an injection molding apparatus when producing a molded article and inspection data with each other to control the quality of molded articles.

Abstract: A light emitting element includes an anode, a light transmitting cathode, and a light emitting layer sandwiched therebetween, formed on a surface of a substrate. Light emitted by the light emitting layer by voltage being applied between the electrodes is output from a surface toward the side of the light transmitting electrode. A light scattering layer for scattering evanescent light generated at the surface is provided on the surface of the light transmitting electrode. The light scattering layer has a first scattering portion having an uneven structure and a lower refractive index than the light emitting layer, and second scattering portions that fill at least the bottoms of recesses of the uneven structure and has a different refractive index from the first scattering portion. The distance between the bottoms of the recesses and the surface of the light transmitting electrode is a seepage depth of the evanescent light or less.

Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more compliant dynamic translation zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking and which allows for the control over translation of the contact lens on the eye. The one or more compliant dynamic translation zones provide for the comfortable relative movement of the contact lens over the eye.

Abstract: Contact lenses having embedded polymer layers, and methods for forming the same are provided. In some aspects, the contact lens can include: a substrate; a metal portion coupled to the substrate; and a polymer layer attached to the substrate and the metal portion, wherein the polymer layer has one or more indentations. The metal portion can be associated with or a part of a power supply, antenna and/or circuit in various aspects. In some aspects, the substrate can encapsulate the metal portion and the polymer layer. In some aspects, a method can include: forming a metal ring; fabricating one or more components on the metal ring; forming a polymer layer ring having indentations; providing the metal ring and the polymer layer ring in a contact lens mold; and encapsulating the contact lens mold with conventional hydrogel, silicone hydrogel, silicone elastomer, polyacrylamide, siloxane-based hydrogel or fluorosiloxane-based hydrogel.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a mold die comprising: making design data for a molding surface based on predetermined prescription information; creating the molding surface in accordance with the design data; specifying error amounts at first and second corresponding points defined on the created molding surface respectively corresponding first and second reference points; defining a first correction surface based on an error amount specified at the first corresponding point; of defining a second correction surface based on the first correction surface and an error amount specified at the second corresponding point, wherein the second correction surface has no power at the first corresponding point; combining a design surface by the design data, the first correction surface and the second correction surface, and corrects the design data based on combined data after the combining; and creating the molding surface in accordance with the corrected design data.

Abstract: A laminate nanomold includes a layer of perfluoropolyether defining a cavity that has a predetermined shape and a support layer coupled with the layer of perfluoropolyether. The laminate can also include a tie-layer coupling the layer of perfluoropolyether with the support layer. The tie-layer can also include a photocurable component and a thermal curable component. The cavity can have a broadest dimension of less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sidewall support surface of an insert-receiving pocket with a compound radius includes the steps of: 1) tilting a cutting tool at a primary tilt angle with respect to a first plane (x-z); 2) tilting the cutting tool at a secondary tilt angle with respect to a second plane (y-z), the second plane different than the first plane; and 3) rotating the cutting tool about an axis (z-axis) perpendicular to a pocket floor of the insert-receiving pocket while maintaining the first and second tilt angles. A cutting tool including a toolholder with the insert-receiving pocket having a pocket floor and the sidewall support surface formed with a compound radius is also described.

Abstract: A dental furnace having a display device and an operating device (10) for the dental furnace, is provided, the operating device being integrated in particular in the display device by forming a touch screen (12), and the operating device (10) facilitating the selection of programs for the firing of dental restoration parts in the dental furnace. The operating device (10) allows in particular the input of further parameters for a firing cycle. An operating element (30, 32, 34) facilitates the control of a final firing program of the dental furnace, namely with different values for the temperature as well as for the duration of the final firing, the operating element (30, 32, 34) making possible the simultaneous adjusting of temperature and duration parameters of the final firing.

Abstract: Monitoring of infants in an incubator may use cameras to measure vital signs and other medical parameters, including oxygen saturation of arterial blood. However, the images obtained by these cameras suffer from a reduced signal-to-noise ratio due to specular reflectance from light reflecting off the skin of the infant. By including radiation scattering structures within the incubator walls and light sources arranged along the edges of the incubator walls, diffuse illumination may be achieved, specular reflectance may be reduced, and the above-mentioned adverse affects on the signal-to-noise ratio of the camera images may be avoided and/or reduced.

Abstract: A lens module includes a lens holder having a top wall that has a bottom surface, and a lens unit received by the lens holder. The lens unit includes a first lens adjacent to the top wall and a second lens attached to the first lens. The first lens includes a first object-side surface abutting against the bottom surface and a side surface abutting against an inner surface of the lens holder. The second lens includes a second object-side surface engaging with the first lens, and a jointing surface keeping a distance from the inner surface.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses using direct injection molding are described. The present methods, devices, and systems include a mold block having a first mold insert and a second mold insert defining a lens-shaped cavity between them. A raised non-uniform region that projects into the lens-shaped cavity is incorporated in a peripheral zone of the molding surface of at least one of the mold inserts. When an ophthalmic lens is formed using the described mold block, at least one depression is produced in the lens. A gate placed at the non-uniform region allows the depression to hide any gate witness that may form when the mold is closed or separated.

Abstract: A laminate nanomold includes a layer of perfluoropolyether defining a cavity that has a predetermined shape and a support layer coupled with the layer of perfluoropolyether. The laminate can also include a tie-layer coupling the layer of perfluoropolyether with the support layer. The tie-layer can also include a photocurable component and a thermal curable component. The cavity can have a broadest dimension of less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: Embodiments of durable, anti-reflective articles are described. In one or more embodiments, the article includes a substrate and an optical coating disposed on the major surface. The optical coating includes an anti-reflective coating and a scratch-resistant coating forming an anti-reflective surface. The article exhibits a maximum hardness of 12 GPa or greater, as measured on the anti-reflective surface by a Berkovich Indenter Hardness Test along an indentation depth of about 100 nm or greater. The articles of some embodiments exhibit a single side average light reflectance measured at the anti-reflective surface of about 8% or less over an optical wavelength regime in the range from about 400 nm to about 800 nm and a reference point color shift in transmittance or reflectance of less than about 2. In some embodiments, the article exhibits an angular color shift of about 5 or less at all angles from normal incidence to an incident illumination angle that is 20 degrees or greater.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens which includes raised portions arranged on a surface of the lens with a pitch smaller than or equal to a predetermined pitch, and is configured to reduce reflection of light having a wavelength longer than or equal to the predetermined pitch includes preparing a molding die in which recessed portions corresponding to the raised portions are formed, filling a molten resin material into a cavity of the molding die via a gate, and curing the resin material in the molding die. The molding die includes a peripheral region in a periphery of the gate, and an adjacent region adjacent to the peripheral region. First recessed portions in the peripheral region are deeper than second recessed portions in the adjacent region.

Abstract: A lens is obtained by injection molding. The lens includes a plurality of projections arranged on a surface at a pitch smaller than or equal to a predetermined value to reduce reflection of light with a wavelength equal to or greater than the pitch, and a gate mark formed on an outer periphery of the optical element in the injection molding. A peripheral portion of the surface includes a first region whose circumferential position corresponds to the gate mark, and a second region being adjacent to the first region. A pitch of first projections in the first region is greater than a pitch of second projections in the second region.

Abstract: A lens is obtained by injection molding. The lens includes a plurality of projections arranged on a surface at a pitch smaller than or equal to a predetermined value to reduce reflection of light with a wavelength equal to or greater than the pitch, and a gate mark formed on an outer periphery of the optical element in the injection molding. A peripheral portion of the surface includes a first region whose circumferential position corresponds to the gate mark, and a second region being adjacent to the first region. Axes of first projections in the first region are inclined more outward than axes of second projections in the second region.

Abstract: A method of forming surface protrusions on an article, and the article with the protrusions attached. The article may be an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip, a test probe for the IC chip or any suitable substrate or nanostructure. The surface protrusions are electroplated to a template or mold wafer, transferred to the article and easily separated from the template wafer. Thus, the attached protrusions may be, e.g., micro-bumps or micro pillars on an IC chip or substrate, test probes on a probe head, or one or more cantilevered membranes in a micro-machine or micro-sensor or other micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) formed without undercutting the MEMS structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming an ophthalmic lens that can include a media insert and/or electronic components. In particular, the present disclosure provides for adhesion promoting functionalization steps for a biocompatible coating to bind a hydrogel material to a plastic surface or electronic component prior to the polymerization of the hydrogel. In some aspects, the media insert can be used to contain energy sources and/or functional electronic components which may be, for example, in a stacked integrated component configuration to permit a generally arcuate shape that can conform to the anterior surface of an eye.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of: obtaining lateral magnification of an optical scanning system; obtaining the maximum value of thickness in the optical axis direction of an scanner lens; obtaining allowance b on one side and beam diameter a in the vertical scanning direction in the lens; and obtaining width h in the vertical scanning direction of the lens by the following expression h=a+2b. The allowance b is a product of the maximum value of thickness in the optical axis direction of the lens and a coefficient, and the coefficient is determined according to the lateral magnification of the system in such a way that the maximum value of movement of the focal point of the lens due to moisture absorption is made smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: As an apparatus for manufacturing a micro lens array includes a first substrate having a plurality of cavities formed at locations corresponding to locations of the plurality of micro lenses, and a second substrate having a lower softening point than the first substrate and bonded on the first substrate to close the plurality of cavities, wherein a portion of the second substrate located on the cavities swells convexly by air trapped in the cavities expanding its volume in response to a temperature above the softening point of the second substrate being applied, to form domes corresponding to a shape of the micro lenses, and the micro lens array is cast using the second substrate having the formed domes as a mold.

Abstract: There is provided a contact lens (60) which is produced by cast moulding. The cast moulding is achieved by the use of an anterior face mould insert (30) which has a cap (24) with a domed surface (26) and a body (10). The domed surface has provision for a distance vision segment (31) and a reading segment (32) separated by a demarcation (33). Further, the cap (24) has a cutaway portion (20) for producing a lower ledge and the body (10) has a projection (18) for producing a lower truncation in the resultant lens. Means is also described for forming a posterior face of the contact lens (60).

Abstract: This disclosure provides a monolithic mold including a plurality of lens forming features that can be used to simultaneously form a plurality of lenses with different sizes and shapes. The mold can be formed by disposing a polymeric material around a plurality of physical objects with different shapes and sized. A method of forming the mold includes providing a substrate that has a surface with regions of low and high wettability. Water is deposited on the surface such that water droplets are formed with different contact angles. The mold is formed around the droplets.

Abstract: An optical mold including a spacer cavity portion, a lens cavity portion and a flow stop control portion for allowing optical lens material to flow between the spacer cavity portion and the lens cavity portion and an optical lens array formed therefrom. The optical mold may further include a pedestal located within the spacer cavity portion for supporting the mold during a puddle dispensing process. A method for using the optical mold including the spacer cavity portion, the lens cavity portion, and the flow cavity portion, and optionally the pedestal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a lens master device and use of the same to form a lens template and/or a lens structure. The method includes obtaining a plurality of individual lens masters, each of which has a shaped portion defining at least a portion of a lens structure to be formed. The lens masters are affixed onto a supporting structure to form a lens master device.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a tool having, on a replication side, a plurality of replication sections, each replication section defining a surface structure of one of an optical element(s), the tool further including at least one contact spacer portion, the contact spacer portion protruding, on the replication side, further than an outermost feature of the replication sections; aligning the tool with a feature of the substrate and bringing the tool and a first side of the substrate together, with replication material between the tool and the substrate, the contact spacer portion contacting the first side of the substrate, and thereby causing the spacer portion to adhere to the first side of the substrate, thereby producing a substrate-tool-assembly; dislocating the substrate-tool-assembly to a hardening station; causing the replication material to harden at the hardening station; and separating the tool from the substrate with the hardened replication material adhering to

Abstract: Methods are disclosed by which two-dimensional and three-dimensional pattern layers may be formed on non-planar surfaces, including optical elements such as lenses with one or more cylindrical, spherical or aspheric surfaces. Patterns with features in the micro- and/or nano-size regime comprised of organic, inorganic or metallic materials may be formed by the methods described herein.

Abstract: A medical device includes a textured surface having a predetermined nanostructure, wherein the nanostructure is less than about 500 nanometers in a broadest dimension. The textures nanostructure surface reduces friction between the medical device and biological tissue.

Abstract: A laminate nanomold includes a layer of perfluoropolyether defining a cavity that has a predetermined shape and a support layer coupled with the layer of perfluoropolyether. The laminate can also include a tie-layer coupling the layer of perfluoropolyether with the support layer. The tie-layer can also include a photocurable component and a thermal curable component. The cavity can have a broadest dimension of less than 500 nanometers.

Abstract: A metal mold including: a first inner metal mold which forms a first lens surface and a first flat surface portion of a lens; a first outer metal mold which forms a second flat surface portion; a second inner metal mold which forms a second lens surface and a third flat surface portion; and a second outer metal mold which forms a fourth flat surface portion, and wherein a first protruded portion which forms a first concaved portion on the lens is formed all around an outer periphery of the first inner metal mold, the first concaved portion serving as clearance for a burr, and a second protruded portion which forms a second concaved portion on the lens is formed all around an outer periphery of the second inner metal mold, the second concaved portion serving as clearance for a burr.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for reducing glare in a lighting panel. The apparatus includes a translucent layer having an emitting surface. A microstructure of the emitting surface is formed of features in cooperative arrangement for redirecting light produced by the lighting panel.

Abstract: A mold for transferring a fine pattern, suitable for producing a substrate having a concave-convex structure such as a diffraction grating, can be provided by a simple process and with a high throughput. A method for producing a mold for transferring a fine pattern includes: a step of coating a surface of a base member with a solution containing a block copolymer and polyalkylene oxide; a solvent phase-separation step of phase-separating the block copolymer under a presence of vapor of an organic solvent so as to obtain a block copolymer film of the block copolymer, the block copolymer film having a concave-convex structure on a surface thereof and a horizontal cylinder structure in an interior thereof; a step of stacking a metal layer by electroforming; and a step of releasing the base member having the concave-convex structure formed thereon from the metal layer.

Abstract: A lens plate includes a transparent substrate wafer, and a plurality of lenses and spacers that are formed of a single portion of material on the transparent substrate wafer. An assembly includes a first lens plate that includes a first transparent substrate wafer, a plurality of first lenses and a plurality of spacers, the first lenses and spacers being formed of a single portion of material on said first transparent substrate wafer. The assembly also includes a second lens plate that includes a second transparent substrate wafer and a plurality of second lenses formed thereon, each of the plurality of second lenses corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of first lenses. The lens plates are aligned such that each of the plurality of first lenses aligns with the respective one of the plurality of second lenses, and the lens plates are bonded to one another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to a recyclable thermoplastic unit that includes a casing body composed of a first thermoplastic having a first melting point. The casing body also includes a first locking mechanism that is configured to mate with a second locking mechanism of a sacrifice layer. The sacrifice layer is composed of a second thermoplastic and includes the second locking mechanism. The sacrifice layer has a melting point that is greater than the melting point of the casing body.

Abstract: Provided are a gradient index lens using the effective refractive index of a microstructure operating in the terahertz frequency regions and mid-infrared regions at wavelengths of 0.8 m to 3 mm and a method for manufacturing the same. Based on the effective medium theorem, the effective refractive index is controlled by using a structure smaller than the mid-infrared and terahertz wavelength, and a gradient can be provided for the refractive index in a radial direction and in an axial direction. Thus, beams in the mid-infrared and terahertz frequency region can be converged.

Abstract: An optionally transferable optical system with a reduced thickness is provided. The inventive optical system is basically made up of a synthetic image presentation system in which one or more arrangements of structured image icons are substantially in contact with, but not completely embedded within, one or more arrangements of focusing elements. The focusing element and image icon arrangements cooperate to form at least one synthetic image. By way of the subject invention, the requirement for an optical spacer to provide the necessary focal distance between the focusing elements and their associated image icon(s) is removed. As a result, overall system thicknesses are reduced, suitability as a surface-applied authentication system is enabled, and tamper resistance is improved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic lens that can enhance productivity by shortening the cooling time without affecting transferability even if the temperature of a mold is set low and may be applicable to an existing injection molding apparatus. When a plastic lens having a prescribed lens shape is manufactured by injecting and filling a molten resin in a cavity 3 formed between a movable mold 1 and a fixed mold 2, a molding surface of at least one of cavity forming member insert molds 11 and 12 is formed in glass substrates 11a and 12a, and for a period of time for which filling is completed with the cavity 3 being filled with a raw material resin that flows into the cavity 3, temperature control is conducted such that the surface temperature of the molding surface does not exceed the glass transition temperature of the raw material resin.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of forming an uneven structure on a substrate. Cut a plurality of trenches in an order on a surface of a mold through a control system, wherein the plurality of trenches comprise at least one first trench, wherein for any second trench of the at least one first trench, the second trench overlaps with at least one third trench different from the second trench such that the second trench is cut off by the at least one third trench. Use the surface of the mold to emboss a thin film on the substrate to form the uneven structure.

Abstract: A die roller and method for making a die roller for use in manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments or sub-segments, the die roller having one or more segment dies and curvilinear Fresnel facet dies, the Fresnel facet dies having a collar, a peak, and a base, the collar being sloped, the peak being rounded, and the base being rounded, according to a die algorithm based upon one or more facet factors, in order to reduce the deformation of Fresnel lens angular segments or sub-segments extruded with the die roller.

Abstract: Providing a mold and a manufacturing method therefor wherein protrusions are easy to be pressed into a resin base material and the protrusions are easy to be pulled out from the resin base material. The present invention provides a mold comprising a stamping surface (1a) formed depending on a via pattern and a protruding portion (21, 22) formed in convex shape from the stamping surface (1a), wherein the protruding portion has a base portion (111, 121) merging into a main surface of the stamping surface (1a) to have a curvature and a slope portion (113, 123) progressively decreasing in outer diameter thereof from the base portion (111, 121) to a top portion (112, 122) of the protruding portion (21, 22).

Abstract: A lens is obtained by injection molding. The lens includes a plurality of projections arranged on a surface at a pitch smaller than or equal to a predetermined value to reduce reflection of light with a wavelength equal to or greater than the pitch, and a gate mark formed on an outer periphery of the optical element in the injection molding. A peripheral portion of the surface includes a first region whose circumferential position corresponds to the gate mark, and a second region being adjacent to the first region. A pitch of first projections in the first region is greater than a pitch of second projections in the second region.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master and bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein and a surface area that is approximately the same as an outer embossing surface of the embosser drum to be formed. Advantageously, a single, one-piece metallic shim can subsequently be generated, appropriately shaped and welded at a single seam to form the embosser drum outer embossing surface.

Abstract: A die having a plurality of cavities and a temperature sensor for acquiring a temperature value in which the number of the cavities is larger than that of electrothermal conversion elements. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of a parting line, all cavities and a temperature sensor are arranged in a region occupied by the electrothermal conversion elements. Interval between the outlines of the cavities is smaller than the minimum interval between the outline of the cavity and the electrothermal conversion element, and the shortest distance between the electrothermal conversion element and the temperature measuring portion of a temperature measuring element is shorter than the minimum interval between the outline of the cavity and the electrothermal conversion element.

Abstract: The invention provide a method for cast-molding hydrogel contact lenses, especially silicone hydrogel contact lenses by using plastic molds of a poly(cycloalkylene-dialkylene terephthalate) copolymer. These plastic molds do not need to be degassed and stored in an oxygen-free atmosphere (e.g., N2 or Ar) before being used for cast-molding silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the absence of oxygen and resultant silicone hydrogel lenses can still have relatively high ion permeability and relatively low variation in targeted optical power, compared with silicone hydrogel lenses made from a conventional mold material, such as polypropylene. The invention also provides plastic molds for cast-molding silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for incorporating tip-gap adjustment features (TGAF) in actuators of shutter assemblies. The TGAF are incorporated into a drive beam of the actuator during the formation of the shutter assembly over a mold. The TGAF are configured such that they develop a mechanical stress or stress gradient. When the shutter assembly is released from the mold, the stress or stress gradient in the TGAF bend the drive beam such that a tip-gap between the drive beam and a load beam of the actuator is reduced. The reduced tip-gap, in turn, reduces an actuation voltage needed to actuate the shutter assembly.