Visit to Qioptiq

From this visit to Qioptiq, I have learnt various new processes such as diamond turning, lens centering, lens bonding and lens coating. For example, diamond turning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_turning) is a process of mechanical machining of precision elements using lathes (rotary stuff) equipped with diamond-tipped tool bits. The diamond-tipped lathe tool is used in the final stages of the manufacturing process to achieve sub-nanometer level surface finishes. The process of diamond turning is widely used to manufacture high-quality aspheric (shocking for me because I always thought that all lens are spherical) optical elements from crystals, metals, acrylic, and other materials. In Qioptiq, diamond turning is usually worked on germanium.

• Science, Math, Humanities applied:

o Precision engineering (ensure high precision and accuracy of process)

o Computing (automation of machines)

o Visual Arts (sketch of design of diamond turning machine and aspheric elements)

Also, I have learnt about interesting products such as liquid lens and Heads-Up Display (HUD). The liquid lens uses one or more fluids to create an infinitely-variable lens by controlling the meniscus (http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Scientists-in-Singapore-Create-Liquid-Lens-that-Zooms-Without-Electricity-.htm ). HUD is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. It is of paramount importance for pilots in fighter planes to concentrate on their targets. This technology definitely helps these pilots as they no longer require the need have to look down but focus on looking at their usual viewpoints.

The stories I will like to share with my descendants and others when I near mid-life will be how I succeed and fail. I think that my life experiences then will be helpful to others as they realise that no matter how successful one can be, one must have suffered several setbacks and failures. Everyone will experience this. This is life. Most importantly, I hope that through my stories of failure and success, they will understand that failure breeds success and work even harder in spite of failures. Only sharing stories of how I fail will make them depress and only sharing stories of how I succeed will create a mindset that they are living in utopia. A mixture of both success and failure stories make the sharing more realistic and instil the right values into their minds.

Major Takeaways

• Make engineering a way of life
  
  By keeping our eyes peeled and having a curious mind, we will be able to observe phenomenon in life. However, we should not stop there. Curiosity within us should fuel us to investigate and understand these phenomena. If there is no literature or past research on these phenomena, then we should not stop there. We should press on and conduct a study to find out the workings of these phenomena. Life is a learning journey by itself. By making engineering a way of life, we can then enrich our lives and find evidence to understand a phenomenon that no one else observes or understands, gaining a sense of achievement.
  
  
  · Innovation is essential
  
  In a knowledge-based economy, it no longer possible to work without innovation. Innovation is what makes a company unique. In Qioptiq, employees need to constantly innovate to meet the demands of customers. By working within constraints, they will need to think of new, creative ways to produce something. Only then, can the company survive and further innovate to clinch more business deals. Innovation is prominent in Qioptiq and essential for Qioptiq’s success.