Standards provide more effective communication between the designers who specify optics and the technicians who fabricate them. They help engineers define test plans to take accurate measurements. They aid communication between vendors and customers. They will even provide a framework to communicate your work to your management.
International standards allow us to work and compete in the global marketplace. Military specifications (“MIL-SPECS”) may not cover all of the latest technologies, but they are proven and they continue to inform the international standards. Experienced OEOSC members work with other countries to develop and improve international standards.
However, few American companies are using them! We realize that it can be overwhelming to learn what’s out there, find the right standard, and learn the relevant standards. We can offer expert guidance via our Education and Outreach Committee, including Courses and Resources.
We hope that standards education eventually becomes, well, standard in the curricula of our US training institutions.
Please feel free to contact Education and Outreach Committee Chair Brian Monacelli or member Jennifer Michels with your education and outreach interests.