Knowledge Center
Whitepapers and case studies: optical tolerancing to ISO 10110, coating durability, and fatigue behaviour in printed metal parts.
What you will find here
The Knowledge Center collects the technical material our engineering team is asked for most often during a quotation: how to specify an optic so it can actually be manufactured, what a coating specification needs to contain, and how printed metal parts behave under load.
Optical tolerancing to ISO 10110
ISO 10110 is a drawing notation, not a quality level. A drawing that specifies 3/-(0.5) tells the manufacturer something precise about irregularity; one that says only "high precision" does not. Most quotation delays come from drawings that leave surface form, centring and cosmetic limits unstated, so the manufacturer has to assume the tightest reading and price it accordingly.
Specifying a coating
A coating specification needs the band, the angle of incidence, the polarisation state and the environment it will live in. Reflectance at normal incidence says nothing about performance at 45 degrees, and a coating that survives a laboratory bench may not survive salt fog. Ion-assisted deposition produces denser layers that hold up under humidity and handling, which is why it is the default here.
Fatigue in printed metal parts
Laser powder bed fusion parts are anisotropic: properties differ along the build direction. Surface roughness from the build drives fatigue initiation more than bulk porosity does, so a part that will see cyclic load usually needs a finishing operation on the critical surfaces. Build orientation is a design decision, not a production one.
Requesting a document
Material datasheets and process capability documents are released on request. Ask through the contact form and state the material or process you need them for.
Documents in preparation
Material datasheets and process capability documents are being prepared for publication. Until they are here the engineering team releases them on request, against the material or process you need them for.
Have a drawing for this?
Send your technical drawing or 3D CAD model through our secure channel. Our engineering team replies with a quotation.