Lasers, Optics & Photonics Manufacturing worked example

Lens Coating Cost at 99% coating yield: a worked example

This scenario runs the lens coating cost calculation on the strong side: 99% coating yield, with every other input held at its documented default. Use this when quoting anti-reflection (AR), high-reflection (HR), or bandpass filter coatings, comparing single-layer vs. multi-layer stack costs, or deciding batch size for a vacuum deposition run.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Number of surfaces to coat: 120 surfaces (unchanged)
  • Coating cost per surface: 28 $ / surface (unchanged)
  • Coating yield (surfaces meeting spec): 99 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 94)
  • Fixed chamber setup cost: 450 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Variable coating cost = surfaces to coat x coating cost per surface x coating yield / 100) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3,776 $ for total lens coating cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 31.47 $ / piece for cost per coated surface.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3,326 $ for variable coating cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 450 $ for fixed chamber setup cost.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where coating yield sits at 94% and the headline result is 3,608 $, this scenario comes in 4.66% above the baseline at 3,776 $.
  • Use it when quoting a coating run, comparing in-house deposition against an outside coater, or sizing the batch needed to absorb chamber setup overhead. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Total lens coating cost: 3,776 $ (headline result)
  • Cost per coated surface: 31.47 $ / piece
  • Variable coating cost: 3,326 $
  • Fixed chamber setup cost: 450 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Lens Coating Cost calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.