Industrial

Optical Power and Energy Meter by Thorlabs

In collaboration with TARA Systems’ Embedded Wizard, Thorlabs elevated the user interfaces of their products, with a spotlight on the Dual-Channel Benchtop Optical Power and Energy Meter Console PM5020.

Product image for Optical Power and Energy Meter by Thorlabs
Product: PM5020 Dual-Channel Optical Power and Energy Meter Console
Company: Thorlabs
Domain: Industrial
Platform: STM32F7
GUI developed by: Thorlabs

Since 1989, Thorlabs has been a vertically integrated manufacturer of photonics equipment, serving both the academic and industrial markets with a catalog of over 22,000 items. With 22 locations in 9 countries, Thorlabs is committed to same-day order fulfillment for the stocked building blocks it manufactures. Products are utilized in a large variety of applications, ranging from research and development efforts in academia and industry to imaging systems in the life science sector.

A Call for Change

Creating a GUI for an optical power and energy meter is challenging, requiring smooth operation, multiple configurations, and clear visualizations, even in low-light labs. Thorlabs had extensive GUI experience but found previous tools demanding in programming effort and design work. With Embedded Wizard, they overcame these challenges, developing appealing, modern interfaces that meet today's touchscreen expectations.

Intuitive User Interfaces

With Embedded Wizard, Thorlabs enhanced the user interfaces of their products, focusing on the Dual-Channel Benchtop Optical Power and Energy Meter Console PM5020. Embedded Wizard streamlined development, enabling a high-resolution display, intuitive layout, low menu hierarchy, and smooth graphics—delivering a user-friendly interface with clear navigation and an improved visual experience.

GUI Expertise

The Basic Training with the GUI Services Team was a crucial step for Thorlabs to deepen and refine their know-how. The team's expertise and knowledge of the GUI Services Team proved to be highly useful for independent GUI development, helping Thorlabs overcome challenges and instructing them on best practices for their specific requirements, for instance how to avoid anti-patterns.

Embedded Wizard's user-friendly experience and its seamless adaptability have simplified our GUI creation process, allowing us to bring products to market faster and with more user features. The training with the GUI Services Team proved to be a major benefit as well, expanding our knowledge and helping us implement our individual needs. Along with the wealth of detailed information accessible on the Embedded Wizard website, we were able to quickly realize our design and functionality visions.

Thorlabs

Manfred Gonnert — Light Detection and Analysis Team

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