May 7th 2026 - 3pm BST
In association with
Learn how to customise lens-based applications at scale at this exclusive panel discussion
Lens-based applications present a key challenge that many manufacturers find hard to overcome: how to scale from a prototype concept to high-volume commercial products? Across multiple markets, businesses are working hard to guarantee satisfied customers by finding the perfect suppliers for bespoke optical projects. But this calls for absolute alignment on both sides of the partnership.
From the compatibility of capabilities to shared company values, knowledge and skillsets within a partnership must align at all stages. Any possible misstep combining customised lens manufacturing with specific use cases can produce significant cost in wasted time and resources.
In this online panel discussion, our invited experts will share their experience and give the live or on-demand audience their hot tips on optical customisation, including the benefits of customised options versus off-the-shelf lenses and how to find the right partner to optimise the commercialisation stage, and make the jump from prototype to volume manufacturing.
Should I attend?
This online panel discussion is designed for:
- Imaging integrators looking for custom lenses and installation guidance
- Optical designers and engineers looking to optimise customisation strategy
- Manufacturers in optical supply chains in or looking for project partnerships
- Other business leaders in optical-application industries such as aerospace, defence and medical
What will I learn?
The advantages of a customised-lens partnership
- Success stories on how to drive value from bespoke lens solutions
- Hot tips on how to choose the right supply partner
- Scaling strategies for customised lenses in optical applications
Speakers
Sam Burchfield
Customer Service and Marketing Manager at LaCroix Precision Optics |
Sam Burchfield is the Customer Service Manager at LaCroix Precision Optics, a family-owned precision optics manufacturer with over 70 years of experience serving defense, aerospace, and scientific markets. With nearly a decade at LaCroix, Sam has become a trusted partner to customers navigating one of the most critical transitions in any optics program — moving from prototype to full-scale production.
In his role, Sam works directly with engineers and program managers to align customer requirements with LaCroix's vertically integrated design, fabrication, and testing capabilities. He brings a customer-first perspective to the complexities of scaling optics programs, helping teams anticipate challenges before they become costly delays. Sam's hands-on experience bridging the gap between early development and volume production makes him a valuable voice for anyone looking to scale with confidence.
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Martin Ettenberg
Founder of IRConsult, LLC |
Dr. Martin Ettenberg is currently the founder of IRConsult, LLC, a consulting company focused on helping startups with business, marketing, product, and technical issues in the commercial and DoD space. Martin was the CEO and Founder of Princeton Infrared Technologies, Inc., for 12 years - a company dedicated to commercialization of NIR/SWIR detection and imaging technologies. This award-winning company had deployed many imaging systems in space and in commercial inspection systems. He had been developing InGaAs detectors for over 25 years starting at Sensors Unlimited Inc./Goodrich Corporation.
Martin led the development of the first night-vision-capable InGaAs camera, which was later commercialized as the SU320MX. In addition to fabricating larger focal plane arrays and more sensitive cameras he was instrumental in developing smaller cameras for robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles. His DARPA work led to his nomination in 2005 for the DARPA Significant Achievement Award. He is a SPIE fellow and was honored to be on the Photonics 100 list in 2024 from Electro Optics Magazine. Dr. Martin H. Ettenberg graduated with a Masters and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Virginia Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering. He also received his BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University.
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Lieven Penninck
Founder of PlanOpSim |
Lieven Penninck founded PlanOpSim in 2019 to develop numerical simulation software for the design of metasurfaces, metalenses and planar optics in general. As CEO, Lieven oversees partnerships with a range of customers, distributors and stakeholders; coordinates product development; and implements computational methods for optics and photonic simulations. Prior to founding PlanOpSim, he spent four years as a technical consultant at Fluxim AG, taking responsibility for technical and scientific consulting to R&D teams in industry and academia worldwide, focusing on modeling and measurement of OLEDs and thin film solar cells. Lieven obtained his PhD in photonics engineering at Ghent University.
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Register your spot today to learn more about how you can optimise your optical customisation strategy with the right supply partner.
Having trouble registering? For any technical queries, get in touch at webcast@europascience.com.
