FAQs
Everything you need to know about our company, products, and solutions.
On this page, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about our company, technology, products and solutions, as well as our processes. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to discuss your enquiry with you personally.
Company and Certifications
What does INGENERIC do?
INGENERIC develops and manufactures high-precision micro-optics and lens arrays made of glass using precision glass molding. This process ensures consistently high quality and reproducibility, even at large production volumes.
In addition to standardized optical components, the company develops custom solutions tailored precisely to the technical requirements of each application.
As an experienced partner, INGENERIC supports projects from development through to series production, delivering optical solutions characterized by high precision, stability, and long-term investment reliability.
In addition to standardized optical components, the company develops custom solutions tailored precisely to the technical requirements of each application.
As an experienced partner, INGENERIC supports projects from development through to series production, delivering optical solutions characterized by high precision, stability, and long-term investment reliability.
Where are INGENERIC products manufactured?
Our products are manufactured in Germany at our company headquarters. Production is therefore subject to strict German and European quality and regulatory standards, ensuring high process reliability and consistent product quality. If required (e.g., due to customer-specific supply chain requirements), certain processes can be outsourced through our extensive partner network.
What certifications does INGENERIC have?
INGENERIC operates a comprehensive quality and energy management system. The company is certified according to DIN ISO 9001:2015 and also maintains an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001. Supplier qualification audits can be conducted upon request. Certificates can be found hier.
Does INGENERIC sell directly or through distributors?
INGENERIC sells its products both directly and through distribution partners in selected regions. Depending on location, customers can work directly with the company or be supported by a regional partner. Our distribution partners can be found hier.
Technology and Manufacturing Process
What is precision glass molding?
Precision glass molding is a manufacturing process in which a highly precise tool surface is directly transferred to glass using an isothermal pressing process. This allows the tool shape to be replicated almost identically in the optical component. The technology enables the production of high-precision micro-optics with excellent surface quality and high reproducibility.
What are the advantages of precision glass molding?
Precision glass molding enables cost-effective production of complex optical geometries with extremely high form accuracy. The process achieves sub-micron precision, excellent surface quality, and high reproducibility, making it suitable for both prototypes and cost-efficient volume production.
What optical geometries can be produced?
A wide range of optical geometries can be manufactured, including aspherical lenses, toric optics, freeform surfaces, and microlens arrays. Complex structured arrays and double-sided curved optical components can also be produced.
What level of precision do the components achieve?
Manufactured micro-optics achieve sub-micron form accuracy and extremely low surface roughness of up to 2–3 nm Rq. At the same time, high consistency across large production volumes is ensured, which is particularly important for industrial applications.
Is volume production possible?
INGENERIC covers the entire process chain in-house - from optical design and tool manufacturing to glass molding, backend processes, and quality assurance.
This enables efficient production of both prototypes and high-volume series with consistent quality.
This enables efficient production of both prototypes and high-volume series with consistent quality.
Products and Services
What products does INGENERIC offer?
INGENERIC develops and produces various types of high-precision micro-optics, including Fast Axis Collimators (FACs), Slow Axis Collimators (SACs), microlens arrays (MLAs), aspherical lenses, and beam transformation systems such as INGENERIC BeamPROP. These are available as both standard products and custom solutions.
Does INGENERIC offer automated assembly processes?
INGENERIC provides automated assembly processes for optical components using camera-based systems for highly precise positioning.
This enables micrometer-level accuracy, high reproducibility, and assembly under controlled conditions while reducing the risk of damage associated with manual processes.
This enables micrometer-level accuracy, high reproducibility, and assembly under controlled conditions while reducing the risk of damage associated with manual processes.
Custom Optical Solutions
Does INGENERIC offer custom optical solutions?
A large portion of INGENERIC projects are custom developments. Optical components are jointly developed and optimized with customers based on specific technical requirements.
How does a custom development project work?
The process typically begins with a non-disclosure agreement. This is followed by technical alignment between the customer and development team. After the design phase, tools are manufactured and initial prototypes are produced. Following successful validation, volume production can begin.
Are prototypes or samples available?
Smaller tools can be used for prototypes and initial validation, reducing one-time tooling costs and enabling cost-effective sample production.
Can alignment features be integrated?
Optical components can be fitted with additional mechanical structures or reference/positioning marks. These include, for example, crosses, rings, dots or other reference marks, as well as spacer structures, which facilitate the subsequent assembly and alignment of the components at the customer’s premises.
Materials and Coatings
Which glass materials are used?
The standard material most commonly used is the high-refractive-index glass K-VC89. In addition, various other moldable optical glass materials can be used, depending on the specific application requirements. These include, for example:
- SUMITA: K-VC89 (standard type) / K-PBK40 / K-CSK120
- OHARA: L-BAL 42 / L-BAL 35 / L-BSL7 / L-LAH84 (OHARA)
- Schott: P-BK7 / B270
- CDGM: H-ZlaF52A
- SUMITA: K-VC89 (standard type) / K-PBK40 / K-CSK120
- OHARA: L-BAL 42 / L-BAL 35 / L-BSL7 / L-LAH84 (OHARA)
- Schott: P-BK7 / B270
- CDGM: H-ZlaF52A
Are optics made of fused silica available?
Optical components made of fused silica or other non-moldable glass materials are currently not offered, as these materials cannot be processed using precision glass molding.
Which wavelength ranges are supported?
Standard coatings are available for multiple wavelength ranges between 400 and 2100 nanometers. These include ranges around 400–500 nm, 780–1000 nm, 1000–1300 nm, 1250–1750 nm, and 1700–approximately 2100 nm.
Are custom coatings available?
Custom coatings can also be provided upon request. These include, for example, broadband coatings, dielectric or metallic coatings, masks, or mirror coatings that can be tailored to specific optical requirements. Additional charges may apply for custom coatings.
Quotation and Ordering Process
What information is required for a quotation?
To prepare a quotation, we typically require a technical drawing or product specification, relevant optical parameters such as wavelengths, the desired quantities, and the customer’s contact details. For new customers, we provide a form covering the key onboarding questions.
What are NRE costs?
NRE costs (Non-Recurring Engineering costs), also referred to as initial costs, are one-time expenses for the development and manufacturing of tools required to produce custom optical components.
At INGENERIC, tool refurbishment due to wear is already included in the NRE cost calculation.
At INGENERIC, tool refurbishment due to wear is already included in the NRE cost calculation.
Are price advantages available for large volumes?
With increasing production volumes, unit costs can generally be reduced, as tooling can be utilized more efficiently and production processes can be scaled accordingly.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity is typically ten units. In some cases, smaller quantities may be supplied for items in stock.
Which currencies are used in quotations?
Quotations and price lists are generally provided in both Euros and US Dollars. The selected currency depends on the customer’s requirements or region.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Payments can be made exclusively via bank transfer. Other payment methods such as credit cards or online payment services are currently not accepted.
Is prepayment required?
Prepayment is typically required for first orders. For long-term, trusted business relationships, payment terms can be adjusted accordingly.
Delivery, Logistics, and Returns
Which delivery terms apply?
Delivery is generally Ex Works (EXW) Germany. Goods are shipped from the production site in Baesweiler/ Germany.
How are lead times determined?
Lead times are specified in the respective order confirmation.
Actual delivery times depend on several factors, including product availability (e.g., whether required dimensions, wafers, or coatings are in stock) and the current workload of production and development teams.
For new development projects, lead times are assessed individually. In such cases, you will receive an estimate from our sales team after internal coordination with the relevant departments.
Actual delivery times depend on several factors, including product availability (e.g., whether required dimensions, wafers, or coatings are in stock) and the current workload of production and development teams.
For new development projects, lead times are assessed individually. In such cases, you will receive an estimate from our sales team after internal coordination with the relevant departments.
Who covers shipping and customs costs?
Shipping costs, customs duties, and any import-related charges are typically borne by the customer.
Which shipping providers are used?
Shipping is generally carried out via the customer’s preferred carrier. As part of the onboarding process, customers are asked to provide their preferred shipping provider and corresponding account number.
How are the products packaged?
Depending on the product and customer requirements, optical components are packaged in trays, gel-paks, or tubes, for example. Upon request, packaging solutions can also be designed for automated pick-and-place processes.
How does the complaint process (RMA process) work?
If a product does not meet your expectations, we sincerely regret this and will gladly assist you with the return process.
To initiate a complaint, please contact your personal INGENERIC representative or complete our RMA form. After reviewing your information, you will promptly receive an RMA number. This number must be clearly visible on the return shipment to ensure proper identification.
Please note that a separate RMA document is required for each returned product. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed in full. We also ask you to provide meaningful photos of the reported defects to enable fast processing.
Our RMA form can be found hier.
To initiate a complaint, please contact your personal INGENERIC representative or complete our RMA form. After reviewing your information, you will promptly receive an RMA number. This number must be clearly visible on the return shipment to ensure proper identification.
Please note that a separate RMA document is required for each returned product. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed in full. We also ask you to provide meaningful photos of the reported defects to enable fast processing.
Our RMA form can be found hier.
Technical Support and Documentation
Can Zemax files be provided?
Zemax files can be provided for many of our products to support customers in optical system design and simulation.
Can other data formats be provided?
Depending on the project, additional data formats can also be created and provided upon request.
Can material or compliance documents be provided?
Product-related documents such as Conflict Minerals Reports or Certificates of Conformity can be provided upon request:
Get in Touch!
INGENERIC – Your Partner for Precision Optical Solutions
Do you have suggestions, specific requirements, or a concrete enquiry? We can help you select the right micro-optics for your application—from standard components to customised solutions. Please feel free to contact us for personal advice or an individual quotation.
We look forward to hearing from you!
