Engineering and design is the smallest service in terms of space and budget, but is nonetheless essential. This service is reponsible for transforming the general requests of the research, teaching and clinical faculty into specific parts, assemblies and processes that can be implemented by the other services to satisfy the needs of the requestor.
This service occupies about 280 square feet adjacent to the instrument shop on the third floor. Most mechanical design work is done using Rhino3D. On occasion, optical analysis and design may be done using Zemax. A reference library containing standard optical design texts as well as basic vision science material and ergonomic data is conveniently at hand. A continually expanding commercial file is maintained covering devices, components and services that may potentially be of use.
A recent addition to the design capabilities is a small 3D digitizer. This peripheral to the computer system will measure a convex surface within a certain volume to an accuracy of about 0.005". Combined with the 3D software, this is a most useful tool.
To quantify unknown or unspecified optics, an excellent Angenieux collimator is used in combination with a custom made nodal slide. The back lab contains a flexible VideoMTF measurement system (Optikos). Various optical spherometers, lensometers and gauges are also available. The service attempts to maintain a reasonable stock of common optics, such as mirrors, beamsplitters, lenses and sources, and can implement many projects from stock items. A small stock of associated precision mechanical components is also on hand.
