Day 1, 9th June 2010, 14:50 - 'The wide , wide world of Wide Area Optics’
“When I left University (’87), I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but was fortunate to pick a job in optics (at the Defence Research Agency) working on novel electro-optic and laser technologies. I knew I had found the right one and developed a passion for understanding and designing optical system solutions and felt inspired to pursue this through an MSc in Optics at Imperial College”Since then, Mike has worked for a variety of optics related companies which has seen a move from hands on testing to design-for-manufacture to more recently heading up the Design Team at Carclo Technical Plastics.
Mike first became involved with LED’s back in 1991 when working at Kodak where he designed commercial solutions for making a darkroom ‘look brighter’ by using novel LED ‘safelight’ solutions. Along the way he has also worked for Fujifilm and Bookham Technology looking at designs for Laser, Sensors, Electro-optic, and Telecom applications. In 2006, Mike presented on LED lighting technology for the DTI at EuroLED’06 following a fact-finding mission to the USA.
At Carclo, Mike has covered a wide range of imaging and non-imaging optical designs from initial concept to production of high quality, world-leading products. Recent projects have spanned five main areas in LED-Optics, Automotive, Aeronautical, Railways and Medical.
Mike adopts a key focus on parts that don't just look good on paper but can be tooled and made competitively.
“My drive is, look for the simplest idea and build on this, I love to find synergy in solutions”