Tucson Technical Workshop to Advance Competitive Edge for American Optics Manufacturers
Rochester, NY (PRWEB) September 23, 2014 -- The American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA) announced today the official agenda of its 2014 Tucson Technical Workshop. The members-only event brings together optics technical and operations leaders to discuss the latest developments and challenges in advanced optical manufacturing.
Taking place Nov. 10-11, 2014 at the University Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., the semi-annual workshop will feature presentations on freeform optics, optical polishing, metrology, and other topics. Among these presentations are:
• Polishing Silicon Carbide – David Valleli, Hardin Optical
• A Method for Polishing the FPL Glasses – Bob Matthews, Matthews Optical
• Subsurface Damage Management and Scratch Forensics – Tayyab Suratwala, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Interferometry in Challenging Environments – Tyler Steele and Dan Musinski, Zygo
• Marketing & Sales for Engineers – Michele R. Nichols, PLS Launch Solutions
The event will also include tours of the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory Mirror Lab, where UA scientists and engineers fabricate giant, lightweight, powerful mirrors for next-generation optical and infrared telescopes.
According to conservative estimates, 1.5 million jobs in the U.S. are directly related to or enabled by optics and photonics technologies. Applications include lasers, computer chips, solar-energy panels, sensors, displays and other technologies in manufacturing, medicine, defense and security systems, lighting and more. Optics and photonics have been identified by the federal government as one of the key enabling technologies to innovations that will spur American job growth.
“This program is really unique,” APOMA Board Member and Program Chair Justin Mahanna said. “It’s one of the few designed specifically for operational and technical peers. We’re proud of the technical learning program, but the real magic is in the sharing and collaboration among our members.”
Optics and photonics manufacturing has made its way into the national spotlight in recent years, with new initiatives emerging to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the field.
• Since 2012, the National Photonics Initiative (NPI) has been working to drive U.S. funding and research in five key photonics-driven fields: advanced manufacturing, communications and information technology, defense and national security, energy, and health and medicine.
• In May 2014, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $500,000 to the University of Rochester’s Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS) to lead the development of a national roadmap for photonics to identify ways to expand photonics manufacturing in the United States.
• In July 2014, the bill to reauthorize the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act included for the first time language recommending support for optics and photonics programs and innovation.
For more information on joining APOMA, or to register for the Tucson Technical Workshop, visit http://apoma.org/techworkshop/.
Michele Nichols, PLS Launch Solutions, (585) 256-1640, [email protected]
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