From mechanical engineering and measurement technology to medical technology and bioanalytics, all these industries require custom solutions in laser, fiber optics, UV & UVC tailored to specific demands. For critical applications, standard products rarely provide the necessary precision, performance, or functionality. In such cases, specialized manufacturers are needed—those who can precisely meet customer requirements and offer development, design, prototyping, and production all under one roof.

But what sets one specialized provider apart from another? In this blog post, we’ve compiled five practical criteria that significantly contribute to customer satisfaction and long product lifecycles.

The first point of contact between you and your potential contractor is the sales team, where the groundwork for a successful and straightforward collaboration is already laid. It’s essential that your contact listens carefully, asks the right questions, and understands your requirements precisely. Ideally, the salesperson you’re speaking with has a technical background and a solid understanding of your needs.

Additionally, ensure that the development department is involved in your project at an early stage to evaluate the assignment from their specialized perspective. In this phase, all requirements and needs are reviewed, questioned, and refined in detail. This creates transparency and the highest possible planning security for both sides. Such a process is especially advantageous if you already have a finished design that needs production or optimization, as it allows for early identification of potential weaknesses, avoiding costly trial-and-error or unnecessary detours.

Similar advantages come from choosing a partner who not only supports your photonics project through the design and prototyping phases but can also guide it into series production. In such companies, manufacturing expertise feeds back into the development department. Through comprehensive support, the team keeps feasible manufacturing methods — both existing and new — in mind right from the start. This approach minimizes potential issues at the critical handoff from prototyping to series production. With continuous iteration and close collaboration, valuable synergies can be achieved.

If it only becomes clear later that a component cannot be implemented as planned due to manufacturing constraints, adjustments will need to be made. This almost inevitably leads to compromises that could impact both the quality and lifespan of your product.

Therefore, whenever possible, place development and manufacturing in the same hands. This increases the likelihood of receiving design proposals for lasers or optics that are truly feasible.

While development times in the consumer sector are often short, with production sometimes winding down after just one to three years, specialized applications in fields like medical technology, bioanalytics, and similar areas often require extended lead times. These can span around 10 years or more before the product reaches series production. For such an investment to pay off, the product must also remain on the market for a similarly extended period. For instance, IMM Photonics has been manufacturing one product for a client for nearly 30 years, with plans for it to remain in use for another two decades. If your project falls into a similar category, it’s essential to seek a manufacturer from the start who can ensure stability over long timeframes. These are usually well-established companies with a longstanding client base.

Depending on the market, components not only need to be available long-term but must also meet exceptionally high standards for durability. Factors like component selection, construction method, and cleanliness during production all impact longevity. Therefore, it’s essential to clarify your lifetime requirements for the product early in the engagement process. Additionally, outline the environmental demands the product must withstand in daily use. If necessary, the manufacturer should be capable of subjecting your prototype to specific stress, vibration, or climate cycle tests.

On the other hand, you may need to react quickly to new technologies and market trends. In this case, it’s important to address your expectations for time-to-market promptly. When speaking with different providers, ask them to illustrate typical timelines from product concept to market launch using example projects.

What qualifies as a fast or slower timeline naturally depends on the product’s complexity. Experienced manufacturers like IMM Photonics can design a simple collimator in about a week. After customer approval, it moves into production, and within roughly four weeks, you’ll have the first product developed specifically for you in hand. For highly complex, highly integrated systems, the timeline can easily extend to one and a half to two years.

Particle contamination is a major challenge in the optics field. In measurement applications, even the smallest particles within a module can significantly impact product quality and measurement accuracy — a risk that should ideally be avoided with a cleanroom.

There are two options for this: Flow boxes, a type of mini cleanroom, already provide enhanced cleanliness for optics. A more advanced step in cleanliness and quality is a dedicated, fully enclosed cleanroom specifically classified for the production of optical components. With specialized airflow technology, particles are even more effectively removed from the workspace.

This setup prevents even the smallest deposits on optical surfaces. Access to these cleanrooms is controlled through personnel airlocks, where specialized cleanroom attire is worn. Additionally, strict environmental conditions are maintained; temperature, humidity, and air pressure are precisely regulated to create optimal conditions for assembling optical components. Our tip: Address cleanliness requirements early in the engagement process and inquire about the specific measures taken to ensure particle-free production.

I think the most important point is that we are shifting our focus. My father came from a distribution background, so during my parents’ time, the emphasis was on selling standard products in the fields of lasers, fiber optics, and other optics, UV, and UVC, which were then customized according to customer needs. Now, both the markets and our expertise have changed significantly.

We have become specialists in highly integrated custom solutions, with a particular strength in working with industries that have especially high demands for quality and longevity. We will continue to develop in this direction, focusing on even more complex and customized solutions. We aim to be increasingly recognized as a provider in this area moving forward.

What does that mean specifically: Can you share more about the products you will produce in the future?

“I would love to, but since we design and manufacture new solutions based on specific customer orders, it’s challenging to predict these future products. Additionally, we are bound by strict confidentiality agreements. What I can say, however, is where our focus will lie—in the field of life sciences, including bioanalytics, biomedicine, and medical technology. Other key areas are measurement technology, gas detection, and fiber optics.”

Why these industries specifically?

“Photonics is in demand across many fields. But when I have a choice as an entrepreneur, I prefer areas that are positively impactful and serve life and sustainability. This direction is largely value-driven. In addition, we see clear strengths in these areas; as I mentioned, we’re able to meet the high standards for quality, durability, and longevity that companies in these fields require. Being a trained bioengineer, I also bring personal expertise in medical technology and bioanalytics. Economically and in terms of future prospects, these fields are highly promising: we’re living longer, and maintaining good health is a universal concern. This growing need is worth investing in.”

Can you provide a specific example of a medical technology application?

“A vivid example is the rapid heart attack detection device used in ambulances. If there’s a suspected heart attack, a single drop of blood in this new device is enough. It measures a fluorescence signal, and within moments, the paramedic knows the risk level. In critical cases, they call ahead to the hospital so the operating room can be prepared immediately. This saves valuable time and significantly improves patients’ survival chances.

Exactly. We supply the laser that triggers the fluorescence. The entire device is built by our client, who has been distributing it worldwide for a long time. There are certainly over 100,000 devices in use. We also provide components for MRIs and CT scanners, which also play a crucial role in detecting various diseases.

In addition, our laser and optical solutions support modern systems for PCR mass testing, which played a crucial role in assessing developments during the COVID-19 pandemic. And these are just a few examples from the field of medical technology.