Optronic

And we're not talking about the bat sign. Labino recently launched the next generation of compact handheld ultraviolet lamps mainly designed for use in crime scene investigations. Labino's new Astra Torch, a handheld LED lamp with multiple choices of coloured heads with different wavelengths, makes it easy to detect everything from body fluids and fingerprints, to fibres.

Optronic helped bring the product to the market and was an important partner in the final stages of the development.

"They helped us find optical solutions that work with what we wanted to achieve," says Lisel Rehn, Managing Director at Labino. "The challenge, and also what makes us at Labino unique, was to be able to manufacture a lamp that emits a strong enough light with a homogenous light image."

Optronic's expertise was also used in identifying solutions for electronic components that meet the requirements for the light's homogeneity and intensity.

"It's not usual for us to bring in an external company in product development and it's quite normal that it takes time before people get to know each other. But our cooperation is going from strength to strength," says Lisel Rehn.

Aided Vinnova application
The cooperation has already provided new opportunities for Labino, which develops lamps for a wide range of applications: for everything from non-destructive testing to leak detections and purity controls. Labino is now in the process of developing a new xenon-based lamp. Optronic gave Labino the advice to file an application to Vinnova, the Swedish government agency for innovation systems. Labino found great use in Optronic's past experience of Vinnova, as they filed their first application in the company history.

"The people at Optronic gave us valuable feedback throughout the entire process," says Lisel Rehn.

It proved fruitful. Labino was granted funds from Vinnova to develop new electronics, which optimize the use of the light source and develop a novel design and casing to further the lamps usability.

The first two projects where Labino and Optronic have worked together are about to draw to a close. As a result, Labino can now assess the company with some merit, and it's a favourable evaluation:

"There is no doubt in my mind that Optronic is very good at what it does," concludes Lisel Rehn.

Touch screens are a common part of everyday objects such as cell phones. But if the screens are the size of outdoor advertising boards and have the added function of simultaneously registering three or more touches, they soon become quite rare. . This however, is just about to change.

I4Sense, a young company based in Gothenburg, develops large multi-touch screens for the world market. And as for all products, the development is an on-going process.

"We heard what Optronic was capable of and thought they could help further the development of our products," says Lars Englund, R&D Engineer and Project Manager at I4Sense. "Their broad knowledge base in optics and optronics made them a perfect partner for us."

The usability in relation to size and multi-touch technology was one specific challenge that Optronic helped I4Sense tackle.

"The user must feel that the screen reacts the moment he or she actually touches it instead of from nearby movements," says Emil Hällstig, research coordinator at Optronic. "This may seem like a fundamental requirement, but it is one that is highly indicative of the perceived quality of the product."

Using their wide experience in alignment of lasers, Optronic found a solution. And it was also delivered on time, despite a tight schedule.

"We put high demands on them, but they rose to the challenge," says Englund.

I4Sense can vary the size and form of their multi-touch screens in many different ways and have yet to reach an upper limit in size. Therefore, it's easier to mention the smallest screen they deliver (70 inches), than the largest one.

"Our versatility is an important part of what we offer. We can tailor-make products for clients anywhere."

And they have. Products from I4Sense have been used by clients from Brazil to Shanghai and from Europe's main cities to the US.

Bringing multi-touch screens to the world market. Indeed.