Optical Design
Design First: Cutting Risk Before Machining Begins
Why optical projects lose money after the drawing is frozen: fix performance targets, tolerance windows and metrology before machining, using simulation and tolerance analysis.
Insights
Optical Insights Blog
Expert guides, technical deep-dives, and industry perspectives on precision optics
Showing 6 of 10 articles
Optical Design
How to Specify Custom Optical Lenses: A Practical Checklist
A practical checklist for custom lens drawings: optical function, geometry, substrate, tolerance grade, coating and inspection, with the figures our shop verifies.
Metrology & Quality
Scratch-Dig vs ISO 10110: Understanding Surface Quality Specifications
How MIL-PRF-13830B scratch-dig and ISO 10110-7 describe the same surface defects, where conversion breaks down, and how to pick a grade by application.
Optical Design
Choosing Optical Materials by Wavelength: UV to LWIR
Material selection from the wavelength band inward: transmission windows, index and Abbe number, thermal behaviour and infrared process routes from BK7 to ZnSe.
Coating Technology
Anti-Reflection Coating Design: Single Layer, BBAR, and V-Coats
What single-layer MgF2, broadband multilayer and V-coat designs actually deliver, and the six items a coating drawing needs to match the delivered part to the design.
Manufacturing
CNC Polishing vs Diamond Turning vs Glass Molding: Choosing an Asphere Process
CNC polishing, diamond turning and glass molding reach different tolerances at different volumes. How to choose an asphere route from slope error, material and quantity.
Standards & references
Specifications discussed on this page follow published standards and supplier data. Primary sources are linked below.