Optical measurement methods are gaining ground in new industries. In many of these, WILD‘s in-depth optics expertise and special assembly skills are in high demand.

Vehicle assistance systems like active cruise control, lane departure warning system or parking sensors. Cameras that provide images from great distances for the navigation systems we rely on every day. Dental scanners that create 3D images of patients‘ teeth, allowing for a smoother and more efficient treatment. Or industrial processes that collect and analyse precise measurement data almost at the speed of light. Optical measurement methods are becoming increasingly indispensable in our daily lives and digitalisation is further accelerating this trend. This comes as no surprise, since all technologies – from time-of-flight (TOF) to photometry and 3D stereo vision – come with a range of benefits that transform them into powerful tools for various disciplines. They can perform contactless measurements,
collect three-dimensional information and deliver results in a fraction of a second.

OPTICS AS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR
What do optical measurement methods have in common? They use light to collect data and they need optical  components like lenses, mirrors, filters, detectors and light sources to generate, control and analyse this light. This is precisely where WILD comes into the picture. ”The common denominator of all these technologies is optics. We possess decades of expertise in this sector, which makes us a coveted technology partner for various different industries“, CTO Wolfgang Warum emphasises.

The list of customer projects is long. For instance, WILD has already delivered aerial cameras that can capture high-resolution images from an altitude of up to 2.5 kilometres. In the case of 3D scanners – from intra-oral scanners in dental medicine or laser scanners that can capture entire buildings despite fog or direct sunlight, to optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices – WILD is integrated in the development and production of a whole series of innovative products. The optomechatronics specialist also manufactures the optical components of an advanced hyperspectral imaging system that can work directly in the processing line (see more on page 7). WILD‘s know-how can even be found at games tables in casinos – e.g. in 3D stereo vision systems that monitor playing cards and bets to ensure a safer gaming experience.

PHOTONIC is heavily involved in fluorescence imaging. This is used for instance in flow cytometry, where it can analyse thousands of cells per second. It is therefore an efficient method in haematological diagnostics and research, and an indispensable tool in food analysis, DNA sequencing or the microbiological analysis of water quality. ”By connecting different optical measurement methods with each other, we pave the way for innovative solutions in all industries“, stresses Warum.