Example engineering dissertation topic 15:

Refinements in the production of moulded optical glass lenses

Presently, globally, approximately 150 million people wear corrective lenses. As affluence in countries such as China and India increases, and Chinese investment in Africa creates new manufacturing zones, this figure is set to rise. Accordingly, there is a burgeoning need for low cost, quality moulded optical lenses. This dissertation considers refinements in the manufacturing process of such lenses, as well as the growing number of patents for such processes. Further, it explores methods by which manufacture may be optimised, within an acceptable limit of diminished quality, in order to provide larger volumes of affordable lenses within a shorter time period. Finally, it makes recommendations for viable engineering plants to produce moulded lenses suitable for the markets mentioned.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Nelson, J. and Patton, E. (2010) ‘Advanced molded glass lenses’, Optical Fabrication and Testing (OFT) Conference, Jackson Hole, WY, June 13, 2010.
• Tsai, Y-C., Hung, C., Hung, J-C. and Tseng, S.F. (2011) ‘Finite element prediction of the lens shape of moulded optical glass lenses’, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, Vol. 225(2), pp. 224-234.
• Zhao, W., Chen, Y., Shen, L. and Yi, A.Y. (2009) ‘Refractive index and dispersion variation in precision optical glass molding by computed tomography’, Applied Optics, Vol. 48(19), pp. 3588-3595.