Lasers, Optics & Photonics Manufacturing worked example

Optics Polishing Time at 14% setup and inspection allowance: a worked example

This worked example runs the optics polishing time numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 14% setup and inspection allowance instead of the typical 20%. Estimate total polishing time for a batch of optical elements (lenses, flats, prisms) based on the number of surfaces, polishing rate, and setup allowance for fixturing and inspection.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Number of optical surfaces to polish: 100 surfaces (held at the documented default)
  • Polishing rate: 5 surfaces / hr (held at the documented default)
  • Setup and inspection allowance: 14 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 20)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Base polishing time = number of optical surfaces / polishing rate.
  • Total polishing time (with setup) works out to 22.8 hr at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Base polishing time works out to 20 hr at these inputs.
  • Setup and inspection time added works out to 14 % at these inputs.
  • Polishing rate works out to 5 pieces / min at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where setup and inspection allowance sits at 20% and the headline result is 24 hr, this scenario comes in 5% below the baseline at 22.8 hr.
  • Use it when scheduling polishing capacity or quoting delivery for a batch of optical components. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total polishing time (with setup): 22.8 hr (headline result)
  • Base polishing time: 20 hr
  • Setup and inspection time added: 14 %
  • Polishing rate: 5 pieces / min

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Optics Polishing Time calculator, set setup and inspection allowance to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.