Quality Policy
Production and Quality Assurance
State-of-the-art Production of Premium Micro Optic Components
Kuznik Optikal GmbH pursues a policy of technical excellence to deliver high quality cost effective products and services. The company is dedicated to product consistency and reliability – providing companies with micro optic components that support exceptionally high reproducibility of product performance. To ensure this, Kuznik Optical GmbH uses only high quality glass and process materials and operates the world’s most modern micro optic production plant. This manufacturing facility – located in the Optic centre of Wetzlar, Germany is equipped with state-of-the-art production technology and runs a strict highly automated quality control system, that monitors all fabrication steps.
We did not produce a Quality Policy for others, but for ourselves. Kuznik Optikal GmbH is one of few manufacturers in the world capable of producing the smallest and most precise endoscopic components at the lowest possible cost. Since our founding, we welcome visits from potential customers under certain conditions, but are not willing to publish our internal methods for quality as this is integrated into the means of production for our products.
Specific Features that Characterize the Advanced Production Processes
ISO 10110/DIN 3140 compliant
ISO 10110 is derived from earlier German DIN Norms (Standards) DIN 3140 and specifies the design presentation and functional requirements for optical elements and systems in technical drawings used for manufacturing and inspection. ISO 10110 gives rules for indicating the treatments and coatings applied to optical surfaces for functional and/or protective purposes. We accept optical specifications from customers in older DIN and Mil-SPEC standard format but prefer ISO10110 and use this standard internally.
ISO 9000/ ISO 13485
Kuznik Optikal GmbH complies with ISO 9001 in all but certification. Some of our customers are considering ISO 13485 and we are considering applying for certification at a future date that could apply to either or both standards.
RoHS Compliance
Kuznik Optikal GmbH is fully committed to the aims and requirements of the Restriction of Hazardous Substance Directive adopted by the European Union in February 2003 for its European customers. The RoHS directive, which took effect on July 1, 2006, restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical components. Furthermore, any new electronic or electrical equipment sold in the EC must not contain these hazardous substances in excess of the permitted levels, although there are some specific exceptions including military and medical applications.
Optical glasses fall under RoHS for European use because some optical glass contains at or near the 1000ppm limit for Lead (pb) or other materials, (0.1 percent by weight of Lead, hexavalent Chromium and Mercury and 0.01 percent by weight of Cadmium). New glasses from German and Japanese suppliers are compatible with RoHS. From 1 July 2006 on optical (glass) manufacturers such as SCHOTT may still deliver glasses, which contain higher amounts of Lead and Cadmium than the permitted limits. But optical companies are not allowed to deliver electric or electronic products containing such glasses within the EC any more.
While Kuznik Optikal GmbH does not make electronic or electrical equipment some lens components we produce are used in such devices and it is the customer’s responsibility to inform us of their wishes for material selection. We can then certify the optical elements conform to RoHS.
Kuznik Optikal GmbH has customers worldwide and some, particularly in China and India prefer pre-RoHS materials (old glass) for cost and compatibility reasons. Therefore, for the present time we cannot state that we are fully RoHS compliant for materials companywide.
WEEE directive 2002/95/EC
The EC-Directives on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) 2002/96/EC and on the (Restrictions of the) use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) 2002/95/EC have been published on 27. Feb. 2003. The general objectives of these directives are to increase recycling and reduction of waste of electrical and electronic equipment.
Kuznik Optikal GmbH is located in the centre of Germany’s optics industry and participates in Wetzlar’s city and Germany’s activities for the reduction and proper handling of industrial waste to make the optical industry compatible with the electronics industry.
Materials
The glass used in our facility is manufactured by the world’s leading glass manufacturers, Schott, Ohara, Hoya etc. Each of these companies has many quality standards such as DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. Kuznik Optikal maintains precise control over all glass inventories and customer provided materials in accordance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) for handling, processing, storage, and traceability.
Inspection
Quality assurance is maintained through process and production control and then there is a final inspection for all parts with sophisticated measurement equipment.
Consultation
Please consult us regarding your custom optical components. We can assist you in design for manufacturability and testing.