As you may know, OptiPro's Advanced Process Development (APD) lab focuses on providing process solutions to specific challenges that OptiPro customers may currently have or see coming in the future. The APD lab does not provide optical manufacturing services, rather it enables our prospective customers to justify the expenditure on capital equipment and make a smooth transition of our technology into their company. These programs have included tools, fixtures, slurry recipes, specialized tool paths, matched cycle times for multiple machines, and specialized metrology. Often, a portion of the development costs can be applied towards the purchase price of new equipment.

For example, a company recently reached out to OptiPro with the need to grind spherical metal parts. APD reviewed the prints that were sent by the company and came to the conclusion that OptiPro could provide a solution. This conclusion was made based on the recent advancements that APD has made in metal grinding on OptiPro's eSX series optical grinding machines. A machine demonstration was then offered to the company which would help explain how the process works.

When reaching out to APD for a manufacturing solution, there are often specific constraints that need to be solved in order to help provide a macro level understanding of the customer's needs. Possible constraints that need to be solved include:

1. Cycle times
2. Set up
3. Grind quality
4. Accuracy
5. Polishing speeds
6. Is polishing needed if the grind is good enough
7. Is throughput the most critical item
8. Skilled operator loss or changes

Click here for more information regarding OptiPro's APD lab. If you would like assistance in developing cost effective solutions to your optical manufacturing challenges, please do not hesitate to contact Jayson Tierson, OptiPro's APD Manager, at 585-265-0160 x243 or send emails to jtierson@optipro.com.

Mike Bechtold (left) and his son Rob Bechtold at a seminar in Japan to help promote OptiPro.

OptiPro is excited to announce that we have signed on OptiWorks, Inc. to be a distributor and will provide sales, service, and support in Japan for OptiPro's line of optical fabrication equipment! For many years, OptiPro has considered expanding overseas to penetrate new markets but was reluctant in doing so because of the difficulty to service and support these machines. After meeting with OptiWorks several times, including a trip earlier this month by OptiPro President Mike Bechtold to their facility in Osaka, Japan, we are confident that OptiWorks has the capability to offer service and support in addition to selling our equipment to the Japanese market.

Established in 2003, OptiWorks, Inc. offers an array of capabilities to companies in the precision optics industry. In addition to being a distributor of optics equipment from a variety of OEM's, OptiWorks also helps design and develop optical products for commercialization. The company has assembled an experienced team of employees, each with their own skill-set in the field of optics.

If you are an optics company in Japan and are interested in learning more about OptiPro's equipment, please feel free to reach out to OptiWorks by contacting Toshihide Dohi at 81-6-6264-7310 or send emails to dohi@optiworks.jp. For more information on OptiWorks, visit their website at www.optiworks.jp.

Ferson Technologies visits OptiPro to run off their new PRO 80's

OptiPro has shipped two PRO 80 machines to Ferson Technologies, the 4th and 5th PRO 80's built to-date! Ferson purchased the PRO 80GTS CNC optical grinder and PRO 80P CNC spherical high-speed polisher. Both machines are a part of the PRO 80 Series line of machines, designed to manufacture optics up to 80 mm in diameter. The PRO 80 Series feature powerfully simple job setups, exceptional ergonomics, the highest quality machine components and robust spindles to deliver optimal cycle times and high precision lenses.

For more than 50 years, Ferson Technologies has been a world leader in the production of standard and custom optical components and optical subassemblies. Located in Ocean Springs, MS., Ferson manufactures a wide variety of optical products, including spherical lenses, cylindrical lenses, windows, prisms, mirrors, beamsplitters, and filters. They operate out of a 20,000+ sq. foot facility which has been optimized for the fabrication of high quality optical components.

For more information on Ferson Technologies, visit their website at www.ferson.com.

If you would like to learn more about the PRO 80 Series, click here or contact Dave Mohring, Director of Optical Products (585-265-0160 x232 or dmohring@optipro.com).

OptiPro's new optics machine build area

Over the summer, OptiPro added 7,500 square-feet to its facility in Ontario, NY in order to accommodate the recent growth of our company. OptiPro's new optics machine build area and expanded Advanced Process Development (APD) lab have helped maximize OptiPro's ability to help our customers.

OptiPro's new Advanced Process Development (APD) Lab

Check out pictures of OptiPro's new optics machine build area and APD lab on our Facebook page.