Knowledge is power
The right consultant provides expert guidance and advice on the selection, implementation and use of optical products and systems. They also offer specialist knowledge on the physics and principles of light, and the optical properties of materials.
An optical engineering consultant is helpful in a wide range of industries and settings, from medical and scientific research, to retail and fashion. They improve the efficiency of existing optical systems, or develop new ones from scratch. In many cases, an optical engineering consultant provides invaluable advice on the best way to use light to achieve a desired result.
Whether you are looking to improve the performance of an existing optical system, or develop a new one from scratch, a photonics consultant provides the expert guidance and advice you need.
Time is Money
And a consultant saves you both. You may be an expert in your field, but when it comes to photonics, you may not have the time or inclination to keep up with the latest technologies and developments. This is where an optical engineering consultant is a valuable asset.
An optical engineer provides impartial advice on the best optical components and systems for your specific requirements. They also offer guidance on the most appropriate manufacturing processes and suppliers.
An optical engineering consultant saves you time and money by ensuring that you get the right photonic solution for your application during the first design cycle. It’s much more cost effective to get it right the first time around. A skilled consultant will steer your team clear of common mistakes in optical design.
Risk and Reward
A photonics engineer prevents costly mistakes when designing your next big project.
When it comes to designing and building anything that uses light, it’s important to have a photonics engineer on your team. Photonics engineers are experts in the behavior of light, and they will prevent expensive mistakes in your design.
For example, let’s say you’re designing a new product that uses a laser. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right laser for your application. A photonics engineer optimizes your choice of laser based on factors like power, wavelength, beam quality, and cost.
A common mistake is to assume that optical components will always perform as advertised. Whether custom components or commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), this is often not the case. Your optical engineer helps you foresee and mitigate the receipt of non-compliant material. This includes verifying component performance and negotiating with the supplier.
Quality Over Quantity
Photonics engineering consultants improve the quality of your product by helping you understand and apply basic optical principles. Nearly every manufactured product contains some optical element. Any product development process must include the relevant expertise in order to be successful.
If you’re designing a new optical fiber network, a photonics engineer helps you choose the right type of fiber, coatings, and connection methods to minimize loss and maximize performance.
A good optical engineer will have a deep understanding of optical physics and the ability to apply that knowledge to the practical design of optical systems. The consultant will also be familiar with the types of optical components available and the overall trade space.
Another common mistake is to underestimate the importance of optical subsystems. Sometimes products are designed with little consideration of the underlying optical systems,. As a result, the overall system performance is poor. An optical engineering consultant helps you avoid this mistake by quantifying the impact of the optical system on the final product. This gives you clear subsystem requirements while maintaining your cost targets.
A seasoned optical engineering consultant also offers advice on the manufacturing of optical components. In many cases, the optical engineer is the best person to contact when there are problems with the manufacturing process. Look for engineers with experience in formal process optimization and problem-solving methodologies such as design for six-sigma (DFSS) and the eight disciplines (8D).
If you are developing a new product, or if you are having trouble with an existing product, an optical engineering consultant can help you achieve success.
Light Years Ahead
As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. In business, that means staying ahead of your competition and keeping tabs on the latest advances in the industry. Consultants take on varied projects and frequently visit trade shows. In this way, engineering consultants have broad exposure to industry trends.
Digesting cutting-edge optics research is a full-time job. That’s where a photonics consultant steps in. They are constantly evaluating new optical technologies and will share those that are right for your company. They keep you focused on what matters, while filtering out the noise and hype of the day.
Conclusion
In short, if you’re working on anything that uses light, an optical engineer prevents costly mistakes and ensures that your design is optimized for performance. Be sure to consult the right engineer when embarking on a new project that uses light.
If you’re actively seeking a photonics consultant, look no further than Chronos Photonics. We’re a reputable provider of optical engineering consulting services, ready to assist you with all aspects of photonics technology. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
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This article was authored by James T. Nathan, owner of Chronos Photonics LLC. The author generated some of the text with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. The author reviewed, edited, and revised the language and takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.