Vision Engineering Ltd is a leading-edge manufacturer of patented optical and digital stereo microscopes and non-contact measuring systems.
Rob Freeman MBE (1933-2017) founded Vision Engineering in 1958. Rob studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College and started working at Kenwood’s mixers as a machinist. He then joined Jaguar Racing as a racing mechanic, supporting cars in races all over Europe and North Africa.
At Jaguar, Rob developed a borescope for inspecting internal race engine parts without disassembly.
Subsequently, he formed Vision Engineering Ltd to develop his interest in optics applied to manufacturing technology.
The company started as a specialist optical sub-contractor to large British companies, including Rolls Royce, Vickers, Ferranti and GEC.
Rob registered numerous patents, received two Queen’s Awards, and received an MBE for his services to the British optical industry in 1995.
World’s first ‘eyepiece-less’ stereo microscope
In 1994, Vision Engineering introduced the world’s first ‘eyepiece-less’ stereo microscope, Mantis, designed to fill the gap between a bench magnifier and a microscope.
It was an ergonomic revolution that went on to win numerous design and innovation awards. Mantis quickly became the new benchmark for high-performance ergonomic stereo magnification.
Increasing operator performance
Since then, Vision Engineering has pursued a corporate design and innovation policy that concentrated on optimising operator performance.
Thousands of companies globally have improved their productivity and quality with Vision Engineering’s leading-edge inspection and measurement systems.
Improved image quality and expanding their range into non-contact measurement systems have all contributed to Vision Engineering’s reputation for improving customer quality and efficiency.
Vision Engineering’s products are unrivalled in ergonomics. From fault detection, rework, research and development to quality control, our unique products have saved manufacturing companies countless hours, reduced materials wastage and ensured quality and conformance to desired specifications.
Humble beginnings to international recognition
The company has come a long way since its humble beginnings in a Nissen hut in Surrey, now operating out of an 84,000 ft2 state-of-the-art manufacturing R&D facility and global headquarters near Woking, Surrey.
2019 further demonstrated Vision Engineering’s innovation capability, launching a one-of-a-kind digital 3D visualisation technology. Deep Reality Viewer (DRV) delivers high-definition 3D images digitally without glasses or other specialist eyewear. It also enables the sharing of those images in real time across networks. This unique technology is internationally recognised with numerous awards, including the Mesure Palmares Technologiques in France, the productronica Innovation Award and the Inspect Innovation Award in Germany.
In 2020, Vision Engineering further cemented its reputation for engineering excellence by winning the coveted Queen’s Award for Innovation. Awarded for Lynx EVO, its high magnification eyepiece-less stereo microscope.
Widely adopted globally for critical manufacturing operations, Lynx EVO has quickly built a reputation as an essential tool for supporting quality inspection processes.
Vision Engineering employs more than 220 people worldwide and partners with a fully-trained global distribution network. While it retains strong roots in British manufacturing, Vision Engineering has an international focus and supplies inspection and measurement products to the world’s most prestigious organisations.
