Our Equipment Is...

Intuitive and easy to use
We want you to be able to unpack and set up your OpticStudio™ system in fifteen minutes, and to be making measurements in another fifteen after that. Customers tell us we’ve succeeded and that our software is exceptionally easy to use.

Accurate and dependable
A measurement isn’t much good if you don’t know whether to trust it. Each OpticStudio#8482; system includes hardware for verifying the performance of the complete image analysis path. For example: while our systems make fully automatic MTF measurements, they also allow you to measure the contrast of a three-bar target. Getting the same measurement through two completely separate methods gives you confidence that both are correct.

Affordable
Our systems include both hardware and software, often at a fraction of the price of competitive equipment. How is this possible? This is the fifth generation of optical test equipment we’ve designed, and we’ve figured out how to build equipment that is deceptively simple, yet powerful. We’ve worked hard to eliminate the WIBNI’s that look good in a brochure, but add thousands of dollars to the system cost. Optic Studio™’s low price is an obvious benefit, but perhaps more important is that OpticStudio™ is simple and easy to master.

Flexible
Some of our systems (such as the OS200A) can test a wide range of lenses and modules. Other systems are targeted at a narrow range of lenses. However, because all our systems are part of the OpticStudio™ family, they can be upgraded to include additional capability at a later date.

Systems can be used as-is, or the individual components can be used to create in-house setups. Our customers have told us that OpticStudio™ is like a Lego™ set for optical engineers. We supply the building blocks, but what you can build is limited only by your vision and creativity.

Who Uses Our Equipment?

The OpticStudio™ system was designed for use in:

• R&D - to test whether an off-the-shelf lens meets the requirements of a new application 
• Production Engineering - to diagnose imaging problems
• Inspection - to inspect both commercial and custom lenses

We also find that our equipment is:

• Used by researchers to measure the performance of novel optical devices and systems
• Used by production engineers to build alignment and test stations for optical instrument modules

History

Ben Wells, President of WRD, launched the company in 1996, after working in engineering and management at Polaroid, Teradyne and Reflection Technology. WRD began as a consulting firm, solving optical design, test, and fabrication problems for clients. Mr. Wells holds 14 US patents, and has received numerous industry awards.

Responding to a recurring demand from clients, in 2002, Mr. Wells introduced the first OpticStudio™ instrument, the OS100. The OS100 was exclusively distributed in the ThorLabs catalog, an arrangement that continued through the third quarter of 2005.

In 2006 the OpticStudio™ line was expanded to include additional instruments, as well as systems targeted at specific markets. Distribution in the US is now handled directly by WRD. Overseas sales are handled by local representatives.