12 March 1998: US-based Donnelly Optics Corp. has entered the growing digital-imaging market by developing a standardised plastic lens that could compete with glass for the attention of computer and e…
12 March 1998: US-based Donnelly Optics Corp. has entered the growing digital-imaging market by developing a standardised plastic lens that could compete with glass for the attention of computer and electronic-equipment suppliers. Donnelly Optics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of automotive supplier Donnelly Corp., said it hopes that its injected moulded polycarbonate lens, called the DonOptics EL-100, will transform the fledgling company into a profitable one. The lens maker has recorded nearly US$ 2 million in start-up operating losses, absorbed by its parent company, to develop unique, high-precision lens systems, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The three-element, diffractive lens is the company“s first off-the-shelf product since it officially opened a US$ 2.8 million plant in November. Production is expected to begin in mid-March after the company completes sampling of the new product, said Donnelly Optics sales manager Michael Hauer. The compact product, considered to have higher resolution than a glass lens, is supposedly targeted for such uses as digital still cameras and computer-based video conferencing and surveillance equipment. Donnelly considers the product to be the first plastic digital-imaging lens system using diffractive optics technology, Hauer said. “Currently, we have orders with four companies, but there“s no telling how high the market can grow,” Hauer said. “The digital-imaging market is expected to take off, and we“ll get to the point where almost every new computer will ship with a video camera on it. We plan to evolve with that market.”