Reverse Optical Engineering Services

Rebuild. Refine. Reclaim Control.

What Is Reverse Optical Engineering?

Reverse optical engineering is the process of analyzing and reconstructing an existing optical component or system—especially when original design data is missing or incomplete. Whether you’re replacing a discontinued lens, improving system performance, or creating a custom optical solution, reverse engineering gives you full ownership of the optics you depend on.

At Yighen Ultra Precision, we specialize in reverse engineering both standalone optics and complex lens assemblies. From system-level analysis to component-level redesign, we help you replicate or enhance the performance of legacy or proprietary optics—efficiently and cost-effectively.

When Should You Consider Reverse Engineering?

Reverse optical engineering is an ideal solution if:

• Your supplier has discontinued or altered a key lens component

• You lack full design specs for a critical off-the-shelf part

• You want to improve or customize an existing lens system

• You need to regain control over costs, availability, and IP

• You’re entering volume production and want to reduce long-term sourcing risks

Our Process: From Sample to Solution

At Yighen, we follow a systematic, high-precision reverse engineering workflow tailored to your optical performance goals:

1. System Evaluation

We begin by evaluating the sample’s optical performance as a complete system—measuring key outputs such as image quality, field uniformity, focal length, and MTF (Modulation Transfer Function).

2. Disassembly & Optical Mapping

We carefully disassemble the lens assembly, separating optical and mechanical components. Each element is precisely cataloged for curvature, spacing, alignment, and material characteristics.

3. Metrology & Index Matching

Using advanced metrology equipment—such as white light interferometers and refractive index testers—we measure:

• Radius of curvature

• Center thickness

• Surface irregularity (PV / RMS)

• Air gaps and centration

• Coating reflectivity

• Refractive index of glass or plastic

4. Redesign & Simulation

Once data is acquired, we model the system in Zemax or Code V. Depending on your requirements, we can either:

• Fully replicate the original design

• Optimize it for better performance or manufacturability

• Modify it for new use cases (e.g., wavelength range, field size, compact form factor)

5. Fabrication & Testing

We manufacture a working prototype in-house or through trusted partners, then test it against the original design using MTF charts, interferometry, or field trials. Final output includes full CAD drawings, lens specifications, and documentation.

Why Choose Yighen?

✅ Cross-Disciplinary Expertise
From microscopy to augmented reality optics, our team has experience reverse engineering lenses across the medical, defense, imaging, and consumer electronics sectors.

✅ Full Vertical Integration
We don’t stop at design. Yighen supports in-house fabrication, coating, assembly, and testing—reducing lead times and simplifying your supply chain.

✅ IP-Safe Redesigns
Need a functionally equivalent alternative that avoids patent issues? We specialize in clean-sheet redesigns that retain optical performance while navigating around IP restrictions.

✅ Data-Driven Decision Making
All reverse engineering work is backed by quantitative optical analysis and simulation reports—so you get real clarity on cost, risk, and performance.

Reverse Engineering vs. Custom Lens Design

Not sure which path is right? Contact us for a free initial consultation.

Applications We’ve Helped With

• Medical endoscope relays

• AR/VR pancake modules

• Collimators for laser alignment

• Infrared optics for thermal systems

• Projection systems using legacy DLP lenses

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🧩 Have a Lens, But No Drawings? We’ll Rebuild It for You.

Whether you need to replicate an obsolete optical part, reverse-engineer a lens module, or optimize an imported component for local production, we’re here to help.

We combine precision metrology, optical modeling, and manufacturing insight to turn physical samples into actionable engineering files — ready for prototyping or mass production.

🔵 Request a Reverse Engineering Evaluation
📩 Tell us about your part or module — we’ll respond within 24 hours with suggested next steps.

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Want to know what data we can extract and reconstruct?
📄 Download Our Reverse Engineering Capability Sheet

Curious about our approach to design-for-manufacturing from samples?
👤 Learn More About Yighen

🔗 Related Content

• 🛠 Optical Metrology & Testing
  High-precision surface profiling, focal length measurement, and wavefront analysis — essential for accurate reverse engineering.

• 🧪 Prototyping Optical Components
  Turn your reconstructed design into a real optical part with tight tolerances.

• ⚙️ Opto-Mechanical Design Services
  Integrate your recovered optical elements into new systems with structural alignment and mechanical robustness.

• 🧱 Optical Coating Services
  Recreate or improve thin-film layers based on your sample’s coating performance or spectrum.