Frequently Asked Questions — HSD Optical
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you run your own coating chamber or you're building endoscopes from scratch — here's what you need to know about working with us.
What does HSD Optical actually do?
We're a Tier 2 precision optical manufacturer — we cold-work glass. Grinding, polishing, centering, and (when needed) AR coating of rod lenses and micro lenses for medical endoscope relay systems. We don't sell finished endoscopes, we don't repair used equipment, and we don't supply aftermarket repair shops. We make lenses to your drawing and ship them to you.
We run our own coating line. Can you supply uncoated blanks that drop straight into our fixtures?
Yes — that's a core part of what we do. For Φ2.8 mm rod lenses we routinely hold outer diameter to 2.76–2.78 mm — tight enough to mount directly into your vacuum chamber with no rework. Diameter tolerance -0.02 to -0.04 mm (fit tolerance), centration ≤ 3′, surface quality 40/20, edge chipping ≤0.05 mm. We'll ship line-qualification samples to test in your own coating line before any commitment.
Do you have standard rod lens blank sizes, or is everything made to order?
Both paths. We have 245 standard rod lens sizes (Φ1.2–8.0 mm) as a starting reference — if your blank matches a standard size, tooling and process are already proven, so sampling moves faster. If your drawing needs a custom size or glass grade, we make it to print with the same tolerances: diameter -0.02 to -0.04 mm (fit tolerance), centration ≤ 3′, surface quality 40/20 per MIL-PRF-13830B, edge chipping ≤0.05 mm. Either way, line-qualification samples are available for you to test in your own coating chamber before any commitment.
Does your COA show measured values per batch, or just nominal specs?
Measured values, every batch — not nominal. Each COA lists the part and print number, measured dimensions (diameter, center thickness), the centration value, surface quality, and the test method — with glass material certs and lot traceability. You get the numbers you need to check the batch against your fixtures before loading your chamber. If a line ever says "within spec" instead of a number, ask why.
Our ultra-slim micro lens line (Φ0.33–3.8 mm) is bleeding yield. Can you help?
Ultra-small micro lenses (Φ0.33–3.8 mm) are a core competency — we hold centration ≤ 3′ and diameter tolerance -0.005 to -0.012 mm at this scale, manufactured for EU medical OEM programs under NDA. If your in-house grinding can't hit consistent yield on ultra-slim diameters, we take over the cold-working.
We're building our own endoscope brand. Can you supply finished, coated lenses — not just blanks?
Yes. We supply fully coated, ready-to-assemble rod lenses and micro lenses — ground, polished, broadband AR coated (400–700 nm), inspected on a per-batch sampling plan. You receive and integrate directly into your assembly line. This is how we serve OEM brands in emerging markets who don't run their own coating operation.
How do your prices compare to European or Japanese suppliers?
Cost-competitive — same tolerance grade, a focused 30-person cold-working operation with no generalist factory overhead. Centration ≤ 3′, surface quality 40/20, edge chipping ≤0.05 mm, dimensional control on the micron scale. Quote with your drawing; we'll let the numbers speak for themselves.
What drawing formats and standards do you accept?
We work with ISO 10110 (most common from German and EU customers), DIN, and MIL specs. Send us PDF, STEP, DWG, or DXF — whatever your engineering team uses. We read ISO 10110 surface tolerance codes natively: 3/ (surface imperfections), 4/ (centration), 5/ (roughness). If your drawing uses a different standard, we'll map it.
What happens after we send our drawing?
Our engineers review every surface, tolerance code, and material callout — checking for manufacturability and optical path compatibility. If we spot something that might cause yield issues, we flag it before production. We then confirm a quote within 24 hours — including per-element material sourcing with full lot traceability. Once you approve, we produce samples and ship with a complete COA. Sample lead time depends on your drawing's complexity — we'll give you a firm delivery date when we quote. After samples are qualified, the process is locked — no changes without your written approval.
Our drawing specifies multi-element cemented rod lenses. Can you handle that?
Yes — multi-element cemented rod lenses are our daily work. We produce single, double, 3-element, 4-element, and 5-element cemented configurations. Your print calls out each element's material (e.g. SCHOTT N-BAK1, OHARA S-LAH65V), center thickness, radius of curvature, chamfer spec, and nd/vd tolerance — we follow every line. Cementing uses UV-curing adhesive rated to 140°C autoclavable. Multi-element rod lenses are manufactured for EU medical OEM programs under NDA.
What glass materials can you source?
We source glass strictly per your drawing — SCHOTT, OHARA, CDGM, and other grades on request. Every batch ships with full material certifications and lot-level traceability. If a specified grade has a long lead time, we flag it before quoting and offer alternatives for your approval.
Do you ever substitute materials or change our print?
No. If your drawing says SCHOTT N-BASF2 with nd=1.66466 ±0.001 and vd=36.00 ±0.28 — that's exactly what goes into the lens. If a specified glass has a long lead time, we tell you before quoting and offer alternatives for your approval. We never substitute quietly. Every element is verified against your print at final inspection — COA matches line by line.
Can you match our existing qualified lens? We want a second source.
Yes — this is one of our most common engagements. Send us the drawing of your currently qualified lens (or a sample for measurement). We produce a dimensional clone: same dimensions, same radii, same materials, same coating stack, same ISO 10110 tolerances. You test in your assembly line — same fixture, same process. If everything checks out, we become your qualified second source. No requalification of your finished instrument required.
What about AR coating? Can you handle the full stack from glass to coated lens?
We read your coating callout exactly as written — whether it's Rmax ≤ 0.5% @ 450–650 nm, BBAR Rmax < 1.0% @ 380–630 nm, or MIL-C-675C mechanical stability. If you have your own coating line, we ship uncoated blanks — you handle the AR/HR in-house. If you need finished lenses, we coat to your spec and include coating performance data in the COA.
We don't have a complete optical drawing yet. Can you help?
Yes — we do DFM review as part of onboarding. Tell us your target endoscope type (rigid, cystoscope, laparoscope, hysteroscope, etc.) and rough system parameters. We'll work with you to define the rod lens or micro lens spec. We have 245 standard sizes as a starting reference. All discussions covered by NDA.
How do you guarantee batch-to-batch consistency?
Process is locked once qualified. No material changes, no tooling swaps, no parameter drift — without your written approval. Every batch ships with identical-format COA: dimensions, centration, surface quality, transmittance.
Do you compete with us downstream?
No — we never will. We don't sell finished endoscopes, we don't touch hospitals or clinics, we don't go around you to your customers. We cold-work glass. You assemble instruments. That line doesn't blur — it's how our business works.
How do you protect our drawings and IP?
We sign your NDA or ours before you share anything. Your data is compartmentalized — never shown to other customers, never shared, never reused. This applies whether you're a coating lab in Germany or an OEM brand in Turkey.
What certifications do you hold?
We are ISO 9001:2015 certified, with full batch COA, material traceability, and dimensional reports; ISO 13485 is on our roadmap. For most OEM programs — including many EU ones — ISO 9001:2015 with full documentation is sufficient. If your regulatory pathway requires 13485, let's discuss your timeline.
What's your minimum order quantity?
10 pieces. We support the sampling → pilot → production journey. Sample lead time depends on your drawing — we'll give you a firm delivery date when we quote. Full COA included at every stage.
Where are you located and do you ship internationally?
Manufacturing in Nanjing, China — temperature and humidity controlled workshop with full metrology equipment. We ship worldwide, serving OEM customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. We exhibit at CMEF (Shanghai) and Arab Health (Dubai).
Can you do OEM packaging with our branding?
Yes. Your branding, your part numbers, your format. Anti-static vacuum-sealed trays, shock-resistant foam, export-grade carton — cleanroom-compatible. Your customer sees your name, not ours.
How do I get started?
If you run a coating line: request line-qualification blank samples to test in your vacuum chamber. If you're building endoscopes: send your target spec — we'll quote within 24 hours. If your drawing is sensitive: request our NDA template (or send yours) first. Email [email protected] or use our RFQ form. Engineer-to-engineer conversation from day one — no sales script, no pressure.
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