Meet the Father of the LUPHOScan Systems

How did the world-leading optics measurement system come to life? What makes it the game-changer in the Optical Metrology field? Who are the people behind its success? We spoke with Dr. Jürgen Petter - Business Director – Optics Metrology at Taylor Hobson and former CEO of Luphos GmbH to get your questions answered. Find out now!

1. What is your background in optics? Why are you passionate about working in this field?

I was fascinated by optics from my very early days. Consequently, I chose a part in education in optics at University and I’m still happy to work in that field. Optical technologies provide solutions for a wide range of applications from information technology to material processing, from entertainment to security – and they are also an elegant and fast tool for high-precision metrology. And surely the potential on optics is not utilized on the whole for now.

2. Tell us about the early days of LUPHOScan. How was the system created? Who are the team behind it?

The idea of the LUPHOScan initially was based on finding an application for a high-precision interferometric Multi-Wavelength Laser-distance sensor (MWLI). This technology was brought from the lab table in the university and initially based on that the small Spin-Off - “Luphos GmbH” - was founded. In its modernised version, we found the sensor to be the perfect tool for high-precision, non-contact, metrology – which especially is needed in quality control in optics manufacturing.

With a small core team of excellent, passionate and highly motivated engineers and good connections to industry partners, we were able to realize the first prototype of the LUPHOScan metrology system. And we learned from our first customers that this could become a game changer in optics metrology … And that’s what it has become!

3. What has changed since Luphos join Taylor Hobson?

After joining Ametek Taylor Hobson, the whole dynamic for the LUPHOScan in and around the international market increased immediately. As a small Spin-Off company, we did not have the chance to reach international customers effectively. After joining Taylor Hobson, though, all the existing and reputable sales channels from Taylor Hobson were available, and immediately we sold LUPHOScan metrology systems worldwide. And with this came new applications, new markets, new challenges, and also the need to develop the technology further.

Image: A manufacturer of changeable lenses review the measurement results conducted on the LUPHOScan.

However, what didn’t change much was the passion of the core team of motivated R&D engineers and physicists devoted to improving and further developing the technology. Those are now supported by new colleagues in R&D and an international team and experienced colleagues from Taylor Hobson, providing production, sales and service and marcom, admin, etc.

Luphos and Taylor Hobson was a great match at the right time to promote the technology and grow the business.

4. What have you been most proud of over the recent years?

Well, that is easy to say: To see the evolution of a new technology brought from the Lab table into a highly recognized metrology system, which now is used as a standard in quality control and manufacturing optics worldwide.?Actually, we are approaching the 250th instrument sale - and to know that I’m (partly) responsible to make this happen – this of course slightly fills one with a bit of pride ??

And then another invaluable thing for me is that most of the principal development team of the young Spin-Off “Luphos” is still on board today, continuing to improve and further develop the technology – the success is mainly to their credit!

Image: Some of the team behind the production of the LUPHOScan range

5. How do you see optics metrology developing in the future at Taylor Hobson?

Founded in 1886 as a lens manufacturing company - and consequently optics metrology - has always been an essential part of Taylor Hobson's business. Though, while the company during time focused on other areas of quality control in the industry, it was mainly after acquiring the Luphos technology about 10 years ago, that optics metrology has become one of the biggest business segments of Taylor Hobson.

As the international optics market – despite all economical and political crises - has shown to be still expanding, we also expect the optics metrology within Taylor Hobson to remain a sustaining and rather growing part of Taylor Hobson's business.

Video: LUPHOScan 850 HD?- the world’s most versatile, non-contact 3D form measurement platform for advanced large diameter optical surfaces

Thank you for the extensive talk. Wish you and the LUPHOS team the greatest success with future projects and innovations in the #OpticalMetrology field ??

For details on the LUPHOScan range, visit: 3D Optical Profilometer | Non-contact Measurement Systems | Form Measurement| LUPHOScan (Taylor-hobson.com)