5 Common Mistakes When Ordering Custom Optical Components
Optical Components
9/14/20261 min read
Ordering custom optical components is not only about sending a drawing and receiving a quotation.
Many project delays, unexpected costs, and quality issues come from misunderstandings during the specification and supplier communication process.
Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid.
1. Choosing the Tightest Specification Instead of the Right Specification
A common assumption is:
“Higher precision always means better performance.”
However, tighter specifications often increase:
Manufacturing difficulty
Processing time
Inspection requirements
Cost
For example:
Surface Quality:
60-40
40-20
20-10
10-5
Flatness:
λ/4
λ/10
The best specification is not always the highest grade.
It is the specification that matches your application.
2. Not Defining the Application Clearly
An optical component cannot be evaluated only by shape and size.
The application determines many important requirements:
Wavelength
Laser power
Temperature environment
Imaging requirements
Transmission requirements
A window for an imaging system and a window for a high-power laser system may require completely different specifications.
3. Treating Coating as a Simple Requirement
Many RFQs only mention:
“Need AR coating.”
However, a complete coating specification should consider:
Operating wavelength
Angle of incidence
Reflection/transmission target
Environmental conditions
The wrong coating can affect system performance even if the optic itself is manufactured correctly.
4. Comparing Suppliers Only by Price
Different quotations may include different assumptions.
Price differences can come from:
Material grade
Tolerance requirements
Inspection methods
Coating performance
Production process
The lowest quotation is not always the lowest project cost.
A supplier who understands your requirements can often prevent expensive problems later.
5. Waiting Until Production to Solve Problems
The best time to solve an optical problem is before production.
Early communication can help answer:
Is this specification necessary?
Is another material more suitable?
Can the tolerance be optimized?
Can cost be reduced without affecting performance?
A good optical supplier should not only manufacture parts.
They should help customers make better decisions.
Final Thoughts
Successful optical projects require more than good manufacturing.
They require:
✔ Clear specifications
✔ Proper material selection
✔ Practical tolerances
✔ Correct coating requirements
✔ Effective supplier communication
The goal is not to buy the most expensive optical component.
The goal is to buy the right optical component for your application.
At Positive Optics, we support custom optical components including lenses, windows, filters, mirrors, prisms, and beam splitters based on customer drawings and application requirements.