VISION ENGINEERING
THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN MICROSCOPY Powered by Inside Sustainability
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VISION ENGINEERING
I PROFILE
As world leaders in ergonomic microscopy, digital 3D visualisation and metrology solutions, Vision Engineering is no stranger to innovative development. Having pioneered the microscope market with its Mantis stereo microscopes, the company has enhanced the range with a new generation. Group Marketing Communications Manager Phillip Townend and International Product Manager Stephen Sanderson discussed the company’s latest releases in an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
B
efore Vision Engineering, micro-
a way that nobody else has achieved”
scopes were not user-friendly. With
said International Product Manager
the equipment requiring users to
Stephen Sanderson. “These machines are
hunch over its eyepieces – often causing
designed from a principle of ergonomics. It
neck and back strain – the company
is incredibly important when our customers
realised that there had to be a better way.
are working on a project for a long period of
“We have had the Mantis device available
time, that they are able to sit comfortably.
for 25 years now, and it consistently
With this comfort comes an increase in
remains our best-selling product because it
concentration, efficiency and productivity.”
does something that nobody else can do, in
First established in 1958, Vision Engineering has always strived to innovate the market, with equipment that is fully focused on user comfort and task optimisation. With an emphasis on innovation within optics, the company developed the world’s first eyepiece-less stereo microscope in 1994.
A new focal point Having already changed the microscope market for the better, Vision Engineering felt it was time to release the next generation, creating the third instalment of Mantis: ERGO, IOTA and PIXO.
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“The latest generation of Mantis is bigger,
image and capture or record it for sharing
better and brighter,” Mr Sanderson said.
to other locations. This game-changing
“These microscopes have the same princi-
element ensures flexibility and saves
ples as the previous generations, but with
crucial time and travel.
totally new optics. They come with a larger
“Cameras are increasingly important
field of view, better control over lighting
when it comes to flexibility, portability and
and new stands that offer improved
communication,” Mr Sanderson explained.
flexibility and system control.”
“Especially when it comes to supply chains,
“There is variation between each model
prompt communication is key. It allows the
as well,” Group Marketing Communications
rest of the process to run faster. Time is
Manager Phillip Townend added. “IOTA is
a big issue for businesses: if we can help
a compact unit that is simple to operate: a
them cut it down, then that’s a major plus.”
great option for those looking to complete
The shareability of these images also
single tasks. For jobs that require more
reduces unnecessary travelling and parts
flexibility, the ERGO is the perfect choice.
shipping, which has positive implications
This system features a multi-view turret
for the customer and the planet.
that allows the user to view a subject from three different lens perspectives.
Illuminating sustainability
The leading product in this range is PIXO,
Another product that is helping reduce
which features integrated digital cameras.”
customers’ travel time is Vision
The digital cameras are a crucial element
Engineering’s 3D Digital System, DRV.
of the PIXO, which enables users to view an
Using a mono camera, customers can
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VISION ENGINEERING
I PROFILE
share three-dimensional imagery between
Microscopic movie magic:
their various sites. And there is no limit in
Because Vision Engineering’s products look so unique they have garnered the interest of several filmmakers, and have been featured in all sorts of films, including Sonic the Hedgehog and Star Trek. This highlights the true versatility of these products.
distance, with a lot of customers regularly sharing internationally to facilities on different continents. Vision Engineering’s headquarters are based in Woking, England, in a state-ofthe-art building that was built six years
facturing processes create swarf, but
ago. This facility was constructed with
we make sure to recycle all our waste.”
sustainability in mind, with solar panels,
“Also, our products are designed to be
motion sensor lights and 12 EV
long-lasting and repairable,” Mr Sanderson
charging stations.
continued. “We often repair products that
“We also have a fleet of EVs and a
are 20 years old – just because we can.
comprehensive programme with mixed
If we are able to keep our products in
recyclables,” Mr Townend said. “Obviously,
use for as long as possible, it means they
being an engineering company, our manu-
aren’t going to landfill or being scrapped.
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“We also use locally sourced recyclable materials wherever it is practical to do so. As part of the design process, we also calculate the energy used to manufacture the products. So that environmental impact is considered right from the very earliest stages of product development to ensure we aren’t using more energy than we need to.” Vision Engineering also benefits from idyllic surroundings. Encompassed by woodland, the company manages the area for the benefit of the local flora and fauna. Vision Engineering’s facility also
“We have been to dozens of trade shows
features its own wildlife pond, which is
across Europe,” said Mr Townend. “The
situated behind the carpark and is fed
reaction of people looking through our
from the site’s runoff water.
devices for the first time is always the same: they’re wowed by it. Nobody really expects
Depth of focus
the quality of images and the resolution that
Standing out from the crowd, Vision
they see, and they’re just not prepared for it.
Engineering makes sure to deliver a
“What we are doing is genuinely innova-
wow-worthy experience to every customer.
tive, and it’s different. That whole design
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VISION ENGINEERING
I PROFILE
ethos, the genuine focus on user comfort
a crucial element of its ergonomic Deep
and productivity and making remote-
Reality Viewer. TriTeQ projects two full HDMI
working and collaboration much more
video streams into the eyes of the user. This
a feature of our products, are all elements
full stereo HD is created from an impressive
that genuinely set us apart from our com-
image consisting of four million pixels.
petitors. It’s a real unique combination that we are incredibly proud of.”
“Together TriTeQ and our Deep Reality Viewer have enabled us to enter
Keen to continue with that innovative
new markets,” Mr Townend explained.
streak, Vision Engineering utilised its tech-
“Ophthalmology was a great market that
nology exploitation division to develop the
we had never been involved with before,
now patented TriTeQ technology that is
and as a result, our technology has enhanced slit lamp training.” Previously, images generated in slip lamp training were two dimensional. Thanks to Vision Engineering’s technological development, these images can now be created in 3D, allowing a better understanding of depth perception. The company has also been working with a number of hospitals in relation to surgical training. “We are also working more within the space sector, as the technology offers new opportunities for Earth and planetary observation,” Mr Townend said. “Because
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the technology is relatively new, we’re
“We are looking more into the possibilities
really taking the time to understand where
of collaboration. So we’re not just thinking
we can go with it. Currently, we are taking
about users singly, but the whole process –
good steps in ophthalmology and geospa-
from supply chain to users and the compa-
tial. There are a lot of opportunities to
nies more broadly,” he concluded. “We really
uncover, and discovering where they
strive to promote a more simultaneous and
are is exciting.
present way for people to work together.” n
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