Profession optical instrument repairer

Optical instrument repairers repair optical instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, camera optics, and compasses. They test the instruments to ensure they function properly. In a military context they also read blueprints to be able to repair the instruments.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Glass tempering

  Technique of treating glass with high temperatures to increase its durability and safety.

• Optical glass characteristics

  The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.

• Types of optical instruments

  Possess information on the types of optical instruments and lenses, such as microscopes and telescopes, as well as on their mechanics, components, and characteristics.

• Blueprints

  Must be able to read and understand blueprints, drawings and plans and maintain simple written records.

• Optical equipment standards

  The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of optical equipment, including optical materials, optical components, optical systems, ophthalmic equipment, optomechanical equipment, optical measuring equipment, photographic equipment, and optoelectronic equipment.

• Quality standards

  The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

Skills

• Operate automated optical inspection machine

  Inspect the quality of assembled printed circuit boards (PCB) or surface-mount devices (SMD) through operating the automated optical inspection machine. During each test, dozens of images are captured with a special camera and compared to previous assembled boards.

• Operate optical assembly equipment

  Set up and operate optical processing or assembly equipment, such as optical spectrum analysers, power saws, lasers, die bonders, soldering irons, and wire bonders.

• Smooth glass surface

  Smooth glass or lens surfaces of optical instruments with grinding and polishing tools, such as diamond tools.

• Use precision tools

  Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools for precision work.

• Ensure conformity to specifications

  Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.

• Meet deadlines

  Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

• Use tools for construction and repair

  Construct and repair ships and equipment using hand tools, machine tools, and measuring instruments. Safely carry out emergency or temporary repairs. Take measures to ensure a safe working environment. Use various types of sealants and packaging.

• Operate optical equipment

  Use specific optical machinery in order to cut, polish, adjust and refine optics.

• Manipulate glass

  Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.

• Remove defective products

  Remove defective materials from the production line.

• Verify lenses compliance

  Verify that lenses are according to the specifications.

• Operate optical measuring equipment

  Operate optical measuring equipment to take client's measurements; determine bridge and eye size, papillary distance, vertex distance, optical eye centres, etc., in order to manufacture customised eyeglasses or contact lenses.

• Perform minor repairs to equipment

  Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.

• Read engineering drawings

  Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.

• Replace defect components

  Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.

• Read standard blueprints

  Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.

• Cut glass

  Use glass cutting tools or diamond blades to cut pieces out of glass plates, including mirrors.

• Repair optical equipment

  Identify the problem of the optical instrument, check for deterioration, and replace deficient components.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB