Selecting the right lens manufacturing vendor is a multi step process. To start, you will need detailed production drawings to ensure the vendor understands what you require and the tolerances involved.. As you get quotes, you may find qualified suppliers with good pricing and communication. This however can only get you so far. Some vendors will quote a price for your lens without ever discussing how they plan to test it, or whether they even have the ability to do so.

In our work, we’ve encountered suppliers unable to make a simple focal length test for a lens they produce. Moreover, they were unable to provide a photo of a USAF test target. Without testing, knowing the lens you designed is the same lens that was delivered is impossible.

So before you agree to a production contract, make sure you also agree on how the lens will be tested.

The testing you will need will depend on the type of lens you are sourcing, and the precision required in your application.