Abstract

Since the 1990 IODC conference, many people involved in optical design, engineering, fabrication and assembly have experienced a shift in priorities. Technical excellence and cost effectiveness have always been primary factors in the engineering of an optical system. The relative weighting of these two factors has shifted to emphasize cost effectiveness. Concurrent with this shift, advances in tools for computer-aided modeling of the fabrication and assembly process allow the optical designer/engineer to be an active contributor to establishing options for improved cost effectiveness.

© 1994 Optical Society of America