We have a deep expertise in opto-mechanical design. That includes complete mechanical and electrical systems design, optics packaging, sealing and focus mechanisms. Our experience ranges from consumer products (AR/VR, and automotive) to industrial, and defense.
Here are some examples of optomechanical design projects we have worked on over the years.
We developed thermal binoculars and a handheld monocular for a client in the defense thermal imaging space. They were designed for long range use in any condition day or night, by search and rescue, law enforcement, defense or military operations.
We started with a product requirement document*, developed a first article working prototype, followed by revisions and a ten-unit design for field trials.
Both projects were a success and we have continued to work with the client. The monocular was made available on Amazon.
We were brought in to do the complete mechanical design, including optics packaging and UX design on a CMOS night observation device. The client, a vertically integrated manufacturer of precision optical product solutions based in New York, won the Prism Award for our work.
The device needed to be usable in both a handheld and weapons mountable application, have the ability to focus at night, and the housing needed to be water tight. We did the complete mechanical design, optics packaging and UX Design.
We were asked to re-design the VFG (vertical fore grip) of a weapon, adding a modular laser and dazzler attachment and ruggedizing it for Law Enforcement. We had to navigate tight design constraints and the final product resulted in patents being issued.
We developed the SEEK Compact camera in a fixed-focus format with SKUs for compatibility with Apple and Android phones. That meant taking their low-cost, long-wave infrared imaging sensor and integrating the sensor electronics, molded lens, custom shutter for non-uniformity correction, and USB attachment, and packaging it all in a rugged enclosure. See the full case study at Smartphone Accessory Thermal Camera.
We were engaged by a large natural gas company to develop an underbelly POD for mounting on a helicopter that would carry optical equipment. The POD was to house six high-speed video cameras, hardware, GPS, racks, and cabling to perform arial surveys of gas and electric utility lines. We had to include an anti-condensation system, so the cameras would not get blurry and qualify for a full Certification for rotorcraft use. We handled full ME and prototype build on the project.
A big company in the thermal imaging space asked us to redesign a bumper mounted housing for thermal cameras for use by the military for troop protection. The device required Thermal Compensation rings to maintain focus over desert temperature swings and an anti-condensation system.
Max-Viz, an aerospace company dedicated to developing Enhanced Vision Systems for the aviation industry, turned to Sherpa Design for their first product, the EVS 100.
We worked with a big company in the oil and gas inspection industry that wanted to develop a new camera for monitoring and GPS tagging industrial gas leaks for new EPA monitoring requirements.
We are working with some of the biggest companies in the world on several virtual reality projects. While we cannot share any details of these, our engineers have deep experience in this field.
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