What We Do
De-risking opto-mechanical innovation in your systems
When you need to minimise the risk in your product development, you can rely on Beck for the highest quality opto-mechanical design and manufacture.
The breadth of our capabilities and the depth of our experience mean that customers are confident in partnering with us.
Our proven process takes projects from initial enquiry through design, prototyping, testing, and QA to delivery of volume orders. We are set up to provide an agile and responsive service at each stage.
Opto-Mechanical Engineering
Quality Assurance
1. Dealing with enquiries
Some customers come to us with a general requirement but little concept of what they actually need. Others come with a clear idea and set specifications.
Sometimes we have to design an optomechanical assembly, on other occasions customers need a build to print service.
We aim to provide an initial response to enquiries within 48 hours of receipt.
2. Quotation
There are a number of different factors which can affect pricing. We account for different levels of consultation and design, prototyping and testing and eventual product requirement numbers when we provide a promptly processed quotation.
3. Design/Opto-mechanical design
Strong and effective opto-mechanical design is at the heart of systems used for close-range and long-range imaging applications across many sectors. We provide optical systems to customers around the world for a range of demanding and exacting applications.
Our design expertise encompasses optical component specification (shape, size, polish, flatness, thin film coating), mechanics, electronics, ruggedisation and software. We undertake full responsibility for total solution design for complex, integrated assemblies. We are equally comfortable undertaking all of the work ourselves, or in working closely with the Client's own engineering team.
Our design team uses industry recognised CAD tools – Zemax OpticStudio for optical design, SolidWorks for mechanical design. We are adept in design for imaging across visible, near/short-wave/mid-wave/long-wave and broadband infrared wavelengths and UV laser systems and regularly work to full military specifications.
4. Prototyping
At Beck Optronic Solutions we aim to produce prototypes as close to a final version of a system, or subsystem from the very first build. We avoid breadboard or catalogue-based lash-ups and aim to ensure that the initial prototype requires only minor refinements, such as aesthetic finishes, rather than significant redesigns. This streamlined approach recognises that the integration of components is an implicit part of both prototype and production activities.
5. Production: low or high volume.
Our manufacturing capability scales from single prototype units to volume production exceeding 50,000 assemblies.
Once a design is approved for production, a dedicated Production Engineer manages the controlled transition from prototype to manufacture. Optical tolerances, alignment methodology and inspection criteria are formally transferred into controlled production documentation and validated through pilot builds prior to volume release.
Manufacturing discipline is maintained through:
- Cleanroom controlled assembly environment
- Defined tooling and alignment procedures
- ERP managed documentation control
- Full material traceability from receipt to release
- Assembly and test executed to defined customer specifications
This capacity is evidenced by the production of more than 50,000 units of a five element lens, with surge demand requiring delivery rates exceeding 1,000 units per month.
6. Testing, Measurement and QA
Quality assurance protocols apply to 100 percent of delivered product unless alternative sampling plans are agreed.
Optical performance is validated across visible to long wave infrared bands using calibrated in house facilities. Where specified, interferometric testing verifies transmitted wavefront error against defined tolerance budgets.
Validation capability includes:
- Five calibrated MTF stations spanning visible, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR
- Interferometric verification of transmitted wavefront error
- Environmental testing including vibration and shock where required
- Temperature and humidity evaluation where specified
- Certificate of conformance confirming compliance with defined optical and mechanical tolerances
Measurement data are recorded against defined acceptance criteria for each programme, ensuring traceable confirmation of performance.
7. After sales
We believe that it is important to offer ongoing support and maintenance services for the systems that we deliver to our clients. We offer full life support and commonly provide refurbishment and upgrade programmes. We also undertake refurbishment work for systems originating elsewhere.
Representative Programmes Defence Imaging System Five element LWIR lens assembly developed for a defence imaging application requiring thermal stability and mechanical robustness.
The prototype was configured as a production intent build, requiring only minor refinements prior to release. | Life Sciences Compact multi element objective assembly developed for fluorescence imaging across 450 to 700 nm.
The prototype transitioned to repeatable manufacture without fundamental optical or mechanical redesign. |
Because we aim to get things right first time, our approach means we can often move from quotation and initial discussion to prototyping and production in significantly shorter timeframes than industry norms. If you have a time imperative, we can achieve in months what otherwise might take years. That efficiency, combined with the breadth of capability outlined above, is what makes Beck a trusted partner for organisations looking to de-risk their product development.