Abstract

The fabrication of Optical Elements began as an Art rather than a Science and has tended to remain so throughout its history. With demands of high quantity and quality, the fabrication procedures are under constant standardisation to approve upon yet cost-effective material, machinery and manpower.

Rollei Singapore (Pte) Ltd. (RS), a subsidiary of Rollei, Franke & Heidecke, West Germany, has grown into a mass manufacturer of high precision optical, optomechanical and photographic components/equipment in Singa­pore since 1970 with the majority of designs licensed by Carl Zeiss, West Germany.

The author projects Singapore's industrial structure and economic policies. He spot-lights RS for history, general policies, scope, spread and its versatility in a first generation manufacturing base.

The effect of major features, to that effect, viz., machinery and equipment used, technologies applied and control techniques observed are dilated. Particular stress is laid on applied modem cost-effective techniques of manufacturing processes ensuring reproduceability and reliability through the State of Art.

© 1980 Optical Society of America