Optical instrument assemblers read blueprints and assembly drawings to assemble lenses and optical instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, projection equipment, and medical diagnostic equipment. They process, grind, polish, and coat glass materials, centre lenses according to the optical axis, and cement them to the optical frame. They may test the instruments after assembly.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Repairing, cleaning and adjusting mechanisms of timing instruments such as watches and clocks;
(b) Adjusting timing regulators, using calipers, watch-rate recorders and tweezers;
(c) Cleaning, rinsing and drying timepiece parts, using solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical watch-cleaning machines;
(d) Testing timepiece accuracy and performance, using meters and other electronic instruments;
(e) Testing accuracy of meters, gauges, indicators or other recording or controlling instruments to locate defective components and for conformance to standards;
(f) Calibrating instruments or scales, using hand tools and computer or electronic devices;
(g) Inspecting components, connections and drive mechanisms to detect defects;
(h) Assembling instruments and devices such as barometers, control valves, gyroscopes, hygrometers, speedometers, tachometers and thermostats;
(i) Testing, calibrating and adjusting electronic, mercurial, aneroid and other types of meteorological instruments for compliance with printed specifications and schematic diagrams, using voltmeters, oscilloscopes, tube testers, and other test instruments;
(j) Adjusting and repairing masts, supporting structures, clearance lights, control panels, control cabling and wiring, and other electrical and mechanical devices
(k) Repairing and setting optical instruments such as microscopes, telescopes, theodolites and sextants;
(l) Checking whether assembled units conform to specifications and ensuring stipulated performance and sensitivity by standard tests.