Precision optician

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A precision optician at work

A precision optician (Switzerland: Feinwerkoptiker ) is a specialist in processing optically effective surfaces. The grinding and polishing of lenses, glass plates and prisms is just as much part of the field of activity of the apprenticeship as the control and coating of optical surfaces. Both manual labor and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are used.

tasks and activities

Optical devices such as telescopes and binoculars , microscopes and magnifying glasses , projection equipment, medical diagnostic devices and Astro lenses manufacture precision optical components such as lenses , prisms , plane and cylindrical optical components. They process glass and acrylic glass as well as other optically effective materials such as crystals , plastics and metals .

They first produce so-called blanks from glass blocks , which they then grind into the desired shape - just like specially produced glass castings. They then polish the blanks, which makes the surfaces of the ground optics transparent. They center the lenses produced, that is, they align the lenses with the optical axis. Finished lenses, prisms or flat glass plates are treated by coating , anti-reflecting or mirroring the surfaces. To ensure the required accuracy of their products, they control the work during and after each processing step, for example with coordinate measuring machines , lasers and interferometers .

For their work, precision opticians use numerically controlled machines ( CNC ) or CAM production systems, which they also set up professionally. They monitor the production process, determine the cause of malfunctions and rectify them or arrange for them to be rectified. Although much of the work can be done by machine, many of the operations still require manual labor.

Precision opticians work in the manual or industrial production of optical or precision mechanical products, of measuring, control and communications engineering products , of photo and projection devices as well as in the wholesale of optical products. Here they work in workshops, halls and laboratories.

education

Germany

Feinoptiker is a recognized training occupation according to the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HwO). It is not assigned to any professional field. The mono job is offered without specializing according to subject or focus in industry and craft . The training period is 3.5 years.

Austria

In Austria, precision optician is an apprenticeship with a 3.5 year apprenticeship period. As in Germany, Austrian apprentices receive dual training at vocational schools and in companies in the precision optics industry or with opticians. The related apprenticeship as an optician can be completed with a shorter apprenticeship period. The successful completion of the final apprenticeship examination is the prerequisite for further qualification as a master craftsman . In Austria, the final apprenticeship examination also enables access to the vocational school-leaving certificate (Berufsreifeprüfung) and subsequently to further higher qualifications, e.g. B. at universities of applied sciences.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the precision optician is an apprenticeship with a 4-year apprenticeship period. As in Austria and Germany, learners in Switzerland receive dual training at vocational schools and in companies in the optical industry. Successful completion of the final apprenticeship examination is confirmed with the Federal Certificate of Proficiency “Skilled Precision Optician” or “Precision Optician EFZ”. Depending on the academic performance, the vocational school can be attended during the basic training .

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Web links

Germany:

  • www.feinoptik.de - German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronic Technologies e. V. (SPECTARIS)

Austria:

Switzerland: