What’s most important to your process when lapping hard optics? It may depend on different desired outcomes, such as achieving better surface quality, a higher removal rate, or clocking less downtime. Regardless, optimizing the process often requires finding the right configuration of pad, conditioning, and coolant. Russell provides insights into finding such configurations by exploring the removal rate and surface-finish results after double-sided lapping on BK 7, fused silica glass, and sapphire.