New Grinder Ensures Faster Lead Times and Enhanced Quality Control
Last year Manx Precision Optics (MPO) discovered that raw material blanks entering their processes didn’t meet their high standards. Before entering the MPO fabrication process, optical blanks need to meet very specific surface roughness and surface form specifications. Regrinding the sub-standard parts would have taken weeks on their equipment, so they had to send them back to the suppliers to reprocess.
They realized that if they took control of the process and ground their own substrates, they could control the quality and the speed of processing. Therefore MPO invested in a 56-inch grinder.
The Challenge
The highest quality optics start with the highest quality raw materials. To eliminate sub-surface damage on finished optics MPO specify rigorous ground surface finish and flatness — even on raw materials. Last year they discovered inconsistencies in the ground surface finish of materials delivered to them. Although the issues were minor, the fact is that the substrates supplied were slightly convex, rather than completely flat. Left untreated, the optic doesn’t polish uniformly and so takes longer to process.
MPO had a problem. They couldn’t accept the blanks as they’d been supplied and so had to return the parts to the supplier to be reworked. This delayed the production and delivery schedules at the time.
The Solution
The upside to this situation, however, was that MPO realized the gains that could be made by bringing this early part of fabrication process in house. An investment in a 56-inch grinding machine marked a pivotal moment, enabling the company to grind their own substrates from a rawer form of material and so take further control over the manufacturing process.
This new grinder completed commissioning in February of this year and means that MPO can now control the amount of material to be removed, the speed of removal, and the surface finish of the ground substrate. Thus MPO eliminates sub-surface damage and enables quicker and more beneficial polishing. This results in an increased control of raw materials and an expedited grinding process.
Key Benefits and Impacts
MPO’s investment in this new machine has a number of benefits for their customers. By internalizing the grinding process, they gain ownership of quality control and mitigate the risk of receiving non-conforming parts from suppliers. They can now achieve a higher surface quality and integrity at earlier stage in the manufacturing process.
Their customers have also benefited from MPO’s increased vertical integration. Their extended ability to quickly correct any imperfections in the surfaces of raw materials means they can run a tighter schedule and so provide customers with reduced fabrication lead times.
Conclusion
MPO view the purchase of this large grinder as an example of continual improvement as they refine their processes and increase their capabilities. The company mission is to set the global industry standards for high-energy laser optics in terms of quality, durability, and size.
This recent investment in equipment exemplifies this commitment. This powerful device allows MPO to ensure greater control over quality and reduce lead times. Ultimately, this translates into superior products delivered to customers faster.
Quality, fair price, and prompt delivery underpin the way they do business. The addition of the large grinder enhances these goals.
About Manx Precision Optics
Manx Precision Optics (MPO) manufactures optical components and precision optics. The company offers customized products as well as a wide range of off-the-shelf components at highly competitive prices. The main categories of MPO’s standard products are: coated optics (including components for ultrafast lasers), uncoated optics, and polarization optics.
To request more information or a quotation for Manx Precision Optics products, contact IL Photonics.