Vision Engineering Celebrates 60th Anniversary

Microscope developer Vision Engineering Inc. is celebrating its 60th anniversary of manufacturing inspection and noncontact measurement systems.

The company was founded in the U.K. in 1958 by Rob Freeman, a toolmaker with the Jaguar racing team. While at Jaguar, Freeman developed a borescope for inspecting internal race engine parts without the need for disassembly. His engineering background and drive to design solutions set the foundation for Vision Engineering’s trajectory.

Known for inventing Mantis, the world’s first eyepiece-less stereo microscope, Vision Engineering holds several world patents for the optical technology used in the company's inspection and metrology systems. Mantis was launched nearly 25 years ago as a solution to address the issues microscope operators face. The Mantis design allows users to retain a natural viewing posture so they are more comfortable and able to work for longer periods of time without neck strain or eye fatigue. Mantis is used across the world in the electronics, medical device, packaging, automotive, and aerospace industries and for any application requiring inspection and rework.

Mantis has evolved significantly since its original design, and Vision Engineering is currently manufacturing the fourth-generation Mantis. In 1994, Mantis manufacturing moved to Connecticut, where it is still manufactured today.

In June 2017, an 84,000-sq-ft global headquarters opened in close proximity to London. Vision Engineering now employs more than 220 people worldwide.