Optical Component Manufacturing – A Lesson In Timing, Trust, Partnership, & Experience

In today's competitive landscape, industrial manufacturers are realizing that delivering excellent products alone is no longer sufficient. Every organization is now striving to find ways to shorten their development cycles in order to stay ahead of their competitors. While many manufacturers prefer to keep most of their product development steps in-house, this approach may not be ideal when it comes to fabricating optical devices. It is important to carefully analyze whether making or buying optical parts and components is the best approach for your team, budget, and business goals before deciding.

Questions If Considering In-House Optics Manufacturing

When it comes to in-house optics fabrication and assembly, while it offers more control over the product development process, it can be both costly and time-consuming. Finding personnel with the necessary experience in this specialized field can be challenging, and acquiring the required equipment alone can take months. Furthermore, developing the expertise to master the intricate processes involved in optics fabrication can take years. Unless the predicted volume of production is high, the reduced cost of internally produced optics may not outweigh the fixed costs associated with implementing and maintaining the infrastructure.