Year: 2023

Seeing the Future: How Machine Vision Is Revolutionising Industry

A subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), machine vision is advancing quickly and has the capacity to revolutionise many industries worldwide. Since it heavily relies on visual processing, it is no wonder that integrating high-precision optical components is crucial to its operation. In this blog, Knight Optical, a major supplier of metrology-tested optical components, delves into the rise of machine vision and other automation systems in various sectors.

Pumping up Productivity: How Robotics are Used in the Oil and Gas Industry

Robotics and automation have greatly enhanced the development of oil and gas by improving maintenance and repair, production efficiency, and safety monitoring. These systems are often equipped with advanced components such as sensors and cameras, with optical components being particularly crucial to their performance. Here, Knight Optical, a leading provider of high-precision optical components, explores the application of robotics and autonomous technology in the oil and gas industry.

What is a Cobot? Bridging the Gap Between Robots and Humans

As we reflect on history, we can observe numerous systems with resemblances to robots. In fact, some concepts of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are speculated to date back to ancient times. The resourceful Ancient Greeks, for instance, created sophisticated automated puppet theatres1, while the Ancient Egyptians devised ingenious mechanical operating systems embodied in figurines2. Fast-forwarding to the present era, significant progress has been made since the days of Ancient Greece and Egypt. Nevertheless, it is evident that the fundamental mechanics of some contemporary systems bear similarities to those of antiquity.

Education Through the Lens: Optical Components for Medical Universities

Scientific Optical components play a crucial role in medical research and diagnosis in universities worldwide. In laboratories, they’re used to examine biological specimens, create images, and perform other important tasks. From microscopes to spectrophotometers, optics are essential in advancing medical knowledge and treatment. As a trusted global supplier of high-quality optical components for dominant medical universities, here Knight Optical provides insight into some of the optics that are found in these labs and the applications they’re being used for.

A Clear Vision: The Latest Developments in Lens Technology

As a forward-looking, global supplier of optical components for scientific and technological projects, Knight Optical strives to keep abreast of unique uses for its products as well as brand-new optics as part of its internal product development. In this blog, the trusted provider explores the popularity of one of its biggest ranges, Lenses, and highlights one of the latest innovations to hit the headlines in this field of optical components – the Metalens.

In The Spotlight: Calomel Infrared (IR) Polarisers

Knight Optical, the leading supplier of on-spec, metrology-tested optics, is proud to announce that it now offers a new range of high-spec components, Calomel Infrared (IR) Polarisers. In this Spotlight blog, we run through everything you need to know about these highly birefringent crystal polarisers and uncover some of their typical uses.

Optical Components at The Movies!

Here at Knight Optical, some of our premium-quality optical components have played a key role in shooting some of the world’s most legendary blockbuster movies, not to mention addictive TV programmes, aired worldwide. From Neutral-Density (ND) and Dichroic Filters to Polarisers, Optical Domes, and Lenses – such as Fresnel and Wide-Angle varieties, for example – there’s a wide variety of high-precision optical components that help production teams to capture all the action with outstanding results.

Knight Optical to Exhibit Range of High-Performing Optical Components at Subsea Expo 2023

Knight Optical, the leading supplier of metrology-tested stock and custom-made optical components, has announced that it will be exhibiting at Subsea Expo 2023. Set to take place from 21st to 23rd February at Aberdeen’s state-of-the-art event venue P&J Live, Subsea Expo is the world’s largest subsea exhibition and conference. 

COP27: More Innovations & Next-Generation Tech on The Horizon

One year on from COP26, and, once again, there have been significant sea changes that have sent waves throughout the world. Long gone are the crippling concerns associated with COVID-19 and social distancing, excluding the current ‘zero-COVID’ policy that is currently underway in China, of course. Now, we’re faced with a cost-of-living crisis, rising energy bills and the Russia-Ukraine war, which, inevitably, made an impact on COP26’s pledges

Year in Review: 2022’s Top New and Emerging Technologies

With another year over and more global issues to address, not only are there many technologies and innovations to reflect on this year, but there are also exciting new developments on the horizon for 2023. In this two-part blog, Knight Optical – the leading supplier of on-spec, metrology-tested optical components – looks at its favourite technologies from 2022 and predicts some of the biggest trends for 2023.