When will I receive my new key?  Once ZEMAX Development Corporation has received your Hardlock Key and Key Exchange form, we will ship the new Sentinel USB key within three business days via Federal Express Standard Overnight (to customers within the United States) or Federal Express International Priority (to customers outside the United States) at our expense.  The old key must be checked in and tested before the new one is issued.  We expedite the exchanges as much as possible, and often we can ship the new one the same day we receive the old one, but there will be some downtime while your keys are in transit. 

 

Will my ZEMAX key serial number be the same?  No, the new key will have a different key serial number.

 

What if I send you an XE (Extended Edition) key?  Your replacement key will be an SE (Standard Edition) key, which is equivalent to your XE key.  We no longer carry XE keys since these have been discontinued.  ZEMAX-SE now has the same features as ZEMAX-XE.  Should you ever decide to upgrade to EE, the price is the same whether you are currently using SE or XE. 


Will my new key work with older versions of ZEMAX?  The new keys will only run versions of ZEMAX released in April 2006 or thereafter. Prior to April 2006, the ZEMAX software did not include the programming required to talk to the new black Sentinel keys.

What if I cannot declare a customs value of one dollar?  If you are sending your key from outside the U.S. and are unable to use a one dollar customs value, please follow these additional instructions. 

 

  • On the airbill, clearly indicate that the shipper is responsible for the freight, duties and taxes by checking the appropriate boxes.  Do not leave these questions unspecified.
  • State “Goods Manufactured in the USA” and “Return for Repair/Replacement” on the airbill and all other documents.  
  • Complete the DECLARATION FOR FREE ENTRY OF RETURNED AMERICAN PRODUCTS form and include it with the airbill and invoice with the shipment.  This form can be found at:  https://forms.customs.gov/customsrf/getformharness.asp?formName=cf-3311-form.xft

 

Instructions for completing this form:

  • Section 1:  The port where the package will enter the US (varies by shipping company -- leave blank if unknown)
  • Section 2:  The shipping date
  • Section 3:  (leave blank)
  • Section 4:  ZEMAX Development Corporation
  • Section 5:  Bellevue, WA  USA
  • Section 6:  Repair/Replacement
  • Section 7:  Unclaimed
  • Section 8:  NO
  • Section 9:  Hardlock Key for ZEMAX Optical Design Software Program, key S/N XXXX, Schedule B / HTS Number 8471.80.1000, being returned for repair/replacement, made in the US, not advanced in value or improved in condition, original purchase date: MM/DD/YY  (if known)
  • Section 10:  The Value may be up to $2000 per SE or XE key; $4000 per EE
  • Section 11:  Check “was” and “has”
  • Section 12:  Sender’s name
  • Section 13:  Sender’s title
  • Section 14:  Sender’s company name
  • Section 15:  Sender’s signature
  • Section 16:  (leave blank)

 

Replace the XXXX with your actual key serial number.  Replace MM/DD/YY with the actual purchase date, if known – otherwise you may omit this information.  Enclose this form with the airbill and invoice on the outside of the packaging.


Am I required to exchange my key?  Yes, if your key serial number is less than 22,000 (these are SuperPro keys) and you want to keep running new versions of ZEMAX.  The older keys will continue to run with previous versions of ZEMAX; however, these older keys will not be supported in future versions of ZEMAX.