Doug is the director of the Applied Optix division at EYE Lighting International of North America, a renowned manufacturer of a wide range of specialty light sources. The Applied Optix division specializes in developing controlled light spectrum systems for scientific and industrial applications, including polymer testing and solar panel production. His main responsibility is to drive the overall growth of the business, while also being heavily involved in the weathering chamber business. He finds it exhilarating to be part of the introduction of groundbreaking technology like the Super UV tester, which significantly reduces polymer screening test time. Witnessing customers experience and appreciate the benefits of the Super UV technology is truly fulfilling for him.

What are the biggest challenges facing the market today, and how can this be overcome?

It seems as if competition is greater, that budgets are tighter, and that our customers need to work more efficiently than ever before. We can help our customers justify the purchase of the Super UV chamber because it’s an efficiency enhancer. The Super UV can produce screening test results in a fraction of the time required by traditional weathering chambers. This means significantly reduced time to market for new products, faster analysis of product performance, better understanding of potential warranty cost, technical feasibility of ideas, and many other product development criteria that have a major impact on a company’s bottom line. The financial benefits to a company from owning a Super UV chamber far outweigh the cost of the chamber.

In your opinion, what do you consider to be the greatest development in your industry in the last decade?

How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?

We believe that more customers will be adopting the metal halide weathering chamber for screening tests. There are already Japanese companies with proprietary testing standards that use this technology. We know that standards entities like the ASTM and IEC are developing metal halide weathering standards and practices, so there’s no doubt about growing acceptance and usage.

You will be speaking at AMI’s plastics industry expos in Cleveland in November, could you give us a preview on what you will be talking about?

I’ll be presenting on an introduction to metal halide weathering as a breakthrough efficiency tool for polymer screening tests. We’ll review how the technology is similar to and different from traditional weathering chambers, the potential impact it can have on the product development process, and will provide an overview of how to convert and accelerate a traditional screening test by using the Super UV.

Doug Vermillion will be speaking at the Polymer Testing World Expo.