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Working Arrangements

To get started, we need to have enough information about the project to provide a quotation for the work. The required information includes:

  1. A general description of the project.
  2. The types of lamp(s) to be used. If lamps are to be selected as part of the project, then this should be noted.
  3. The design type (reflector and/or refractor).
  4. The required materials for the optical parts. If there are no specific requirements, then we can select appropriate materials.
  5. The manufacturing method(s) to be used. If it is a reflector design, then specify if the reflector is to be spun, hydroformed, formed on a break press or assembled from individual components made from pre-finished materials. If it is a molded lens part, then specify if it is injection molded, thermoformed or a glass casting.
  6. The geometric constraints imposed on the optics. If the optics need to fit within an existing housing, then provide drawings of the housing.
  7. The photometric specifications. If the product is to meet or exceed a competitor’s performance, then provide the competitor’s photometry.

In most cases, the quotes are for a fixed fee, which is based on our best estimate of the amount of time it will take to complete the design. The scope of the project depends on your specific needs. If a project scope cannot be clearly defined up front, then we can work on a time and materials basis. The range of work we can cover includes any or all of the following tasks:

  1. Helping to define the product performance specifications. This can either come from a competitive analysis or looking at the needs of the task if the product is a new type.
  2. Helping to choose an appropriate lamp if one is not already specified. (Note: If a new lamp type is to be used, then an appropriate lamp model needs to be created.)
  3. Feasibility study of various optical system types, if there are several possibilities to consider.
  4. Optical design of the chosen optical system.
  5. Performance summary.
  6. Design specifications. When the parts are revolved or extruded shapes, we provide 2D part profile drawings. If the shapes are more general 3D surfaces, then we can either provide solid models or surface based models in a variety of formats.
  7. Managing the prototyping and testing.
  8. Incorporate design changes if necessary.
  9. For critical designs, we can help with quality assurance testing procedures.

Please contact us for more information about our capabilities.

For a quote please send as much information as possible to optics email.