mechanical engineering
Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
Optomechanical engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of optomechanical devices, such as optical tables, deformable mirrors, and optical mounts. Optomechanical engineering technicians build, install, test, and maintain optomechanical equipment prototypes. They determine materials and assembly requirements.
Competences and skills
51 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 13 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencesoptical manufacturing process
The process and different stages of manufacturing an optical product, from design and prototyping to the preparation of optical components and lenses, the assembly of optical equipment, and the intermediate and final testing of the optical products and its components.
optomechanical components
Components that possess mechanical and optical features, such as optical mirrors, optical mounts, and optical fibre.
optomechanical devices
Devices which combine mechanical and optical properties, such as precision mirror mounts used in the construction of lasers, optical mounts used in the manufacture of cameras, and optical tables used for optics experiments and engineering.
Cross-sector
9 competencesdesign drawings
The drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
optical components
The components and materials necessary for building optical instruments, such as lenses and frames.
optical engineering
Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.
optical equipment standards
The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of optical equipment, including optical materials, optical components, optical systems, ophthalmic equipment, optomechanical equipment, optical measuring equipment, photographic equipment, and optoelectronic equipment.
optical glass characteristics
The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.
optics
The science that studies the elements and reaction of light.
optomechanical engineering
Subset of mechanical engineering specialised in optical systems and products, such as binoculars, microscopes, telescopes, and spectrometers, as well as optomechanical components, such as optical mounts and optical mirrors.
refractive power
Refractive power or optical power is the degree to which an optical system, such as a lens, converges or diverges light. Diverging lenses possess negative refractive power, while converging lenses possess positive refractive power.
types of optical instruments
Common types of optical instruments and lenses, such as microscopes and telescopes, their mechanics, components, and characteristics.
Essential skills and competences 16 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceassemble optomechanical equipment
Prepare and assemble optomechanical components and systems, such as optical mounts and optical tables, using hand tools, precision measuring equipment, soldering and polishing techniques.
Sector-specific
4 competencesapply optical coating
Apply coating to optical lenses, such as reflective coating to mirrors, anti-reflective coatings to camera lenses, or tinted coatings to sunglasses.
clean optical components
Clean optical components after every cycle in the manufacturing process.
define part requirements
Calculate and determine the functional, physical, structural, geometrical and size dimensions for the parts necessary to create machines or equipment.
test optical components
Test optical systems, products, and components with appropriate optical testing methods, such as axial ray testing and oblique ray testing.
Cross-sector
11 competencesadjust engineering designs
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
align components
Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
assist scientific research
Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
conduct quality control analysis
Conduct inspections and tests of services, processes, or products to evaluate quality.
fasten components
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
inspect quality of products
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
liaise with engineers
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
operate scientific measuring equipment
Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.
prepare production prototypes
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
read engineering drawings
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
record test data
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
Optional knowledge 7 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencescavity optomechanics
Subset of physics that focuses on the interaction between mechanical objects and light. The focus predominantly lies on the amelioration of radiation pressure interaction between matter from the optical resonators or cavities and the light or photons.
computational mechanics
The use of modelling and simulation to predict complex physical behaviours in science and engineering. It interacts with other areas in mechanics including solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, but also material science, mathematics and numerical methods.
digital
continuum mechanics
The study of the behaviour of materials disregarding their specific nature. It aims to create mathematical models to predict this behaviour particularly in relation to material deformation and motion.
microoptics
Optical devices with a size of 1 millimeter or smaller, such as microlenses and micromirrors.
Cross-sector
3 competencesCAD software
The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
digital
- Scope note
- CAD software should be differentiated from computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software. CADD systems are CAD systems with additional drafting features. For example, CADD systems enable an engineer or architect to insert size annotations and other notes into a design.
CAE software
The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
digital
electromagnetic spectrum
The different electromagnetic wavelenghts or frequencies that are situated on the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelenghts are divided in several categories according to their wavelength and energy level, starting from radio wavelenghts with a long wavelength and a low energy level, to microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and finally Gamma-rays with a short wavelength and a high energy level.
Optional skills and competences 15 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencesinspect optical supplies
Check optical materials for damage, such as scratches, before using the material.
maintain optical equipment
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in optical systems, such as lasers, microscopes, and oscilloscopes. Remove, replace, or repair these systems or system components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the equipment in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
operate optical assembly equipment
Set up and operate optical processing or assembly equipment, such as optical spectrum analysers, power saws, lasers, die bonders, soldering irons, and wire bonders.
repair optical equipment
Identify the problem of the optical instrument, check for deterioration, and replace deficient components.
Cross-sector
11 competencesapply technical communication skills
Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
calibrate optical instruments
Correct and adjust the reliability of optical instruments, such as photometers, polarimeters, and spectrometers, by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer.
integrate new products in manufacturing
Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
monitor machine operations
Observing machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
operate industrial equipment
Operate devices, machinery, and equipment used in industrial production. Industrial equipment usually includes mounting, adjusting, clamping, rotating, and indexing elements, as well as mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical drives that actuate these elements.
operate precision machinery
Operate machinery used for the making of small systems or components with a high level of precision.
resolve equipment malfunctions
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
use CAM software
Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
digital
use precision tools
Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.
write technical reports
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.