In This Issue
- Changes at the Top for JML
- ITAR /EAR Update
- Recognition and Awards
- STTR Solicitation Opens
- MCC Optics Program
- Energy Forecast
- Competitiveness Rankings
- Conferences and Events
Optifab 2009
Attend the most important optical fabrication event in North America - SPIE Optifab, and you'll see the newest technologies and big machines in optics.
Optifab
See Conference Details Here
11
- 14 May, 2009
Rochester, NY
ITAR / EAR, Trade
A panel of expert witnesses unanimously agreed that the current system of U.S. export control policies, under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations, are outdated and must be reformed. The testimony was presented in a hearing of the House Science and Technology Committee, on February 24th in Washington D.C..
“Export controls are crucial and necessary to prevent the proliferation of militarily-useful technologies from falling into the wrong hands, and it’s critically important that we continue, to the best of our abilities, to deny the transfer of these technologies to our adversaries,” said Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX). “However, in today’s global marketplace, it’s equally important that export control regulations recognize technologies that are no longer ours alone to control, and to permit the rapid sharing of emerging R&D technologies with our friends and allies. It is clear to me that the current export control regime fails to meet these standards.”
From World Trade/International: Export Control Examined in Context of Economic Recovery
Export control reform has been an item of interest for a number of U.S. industries for several years, and a congressional hearing this week suggests that lawmakers may be ready to seriously consider it. Witnesses at a Feb. 25 hearing of the House Science and Technology Committee said that the current system puts U.S. companies at a disadvantage in the global marketplace and that reforms could play an important role in government efforts to promote economic recovery. Full article here.
Trade with the USA: Lasers Rescue German Net Exports
Despite the economic crisis, the trade of the German manufacturers of optical technologies with the USA remained largely stable during the last year. The industry association SPECTARIS came to this conclusion at the international ”Photonics West“ trade fair, which took place in San José, California, from 27 to 29 January 2009.
With approx. € 263 million in 2008, German US exports of the core products of optical technologies – lasers and optical components - were only three per cent below the figure of 2007 according to the industry association. Above all the exports of lasers, which could be increased by almost eight per cent last year, prevented a stronger decline. The export of optical components, however, experienced a downturn.
With a share of approximately 8 per cent of the German total exports of optical technologies, the USA is] the third largest buyer in this industry. “The American market is of particular importance for our companies. Photonics West is a globally renowned platform for photonics and provides a good opportunity to learn about the latest technology and market trends at first hand”, Sven Behrens, the CEO of SPECTARIS emphasised.
Regarding the imports, the USA is at number two of the import ranking after Japan. Last year, however, there was a clear downturn: In 2008, German imports from the USA dropped by approx. 13 per cent to € 234 million. The imports of lasers were approx. 5 per cent below last year’s level.
Laser market Data from Laser Optics Berlin
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
The U.S. Senate gave final approval to the compromise version of the $787 billion American Recovery & Reinvestment Act late on February 13, 2009. In the House vote hours earlier, no Republicans voted in favor of the bill, and seven Democrats voted against it.
It is apparent that the final bill provides no funding for the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Extension Partnership Programs at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). This is not to say that the agencies will not achieve funding through some sources.
A summary of the science impacts of the bill is here.
Competitiveness Rankings
Depending upon who you listen to, and who you find credible at all when issuing lists of competitive rankings, the U.S. either remains number one, or has slipped to number seven.
Issuing lists of rankings has been a way to gain attention for many years. Used by magazines, economists by the score and consultants in many fields, anyone on the list tends to disagree if they are ranked anything but number one, and anyone not on this list tends to want to be on it.
Issuing lists drums up business if you are an economist or if you are a site selection magazine, but does it help you become more competitive if you are on the list?
US Energy Administration Forecast
Preliminary Forecast of Critical, Costly Resource
Optics fabricators consume a great deal of energy. Regardless of your opinion about economic modeling and forecasting (is this moment in 2009 the time to begin trusting the experts?), your federal taxes pay for the hard work of the Energy Administration, which forecasts energy supplies, demands and consumption trends.
The Annual Energy Outlook presents a midterm projection and analysis of US energy supply, demand, and prices through 2030. The projections are based on results from the Energy Information Administration's National Energy Modeling System. The AEO2009 Early Release includes the reference case. The full publication, to be released in early 2009, will include complete documentation and additional cases examining energy markets.
The full report is due out on March 13th at the USEA website.
Intel Chairman Announces $7 Billion U.S. Initiative
Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini announced On February 10th that the company would spend $7 billion over the next two years to build advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States. The investment funds deployment of Intel's industry-leading 32 nanometer (nm) manufacturing technology that will be used to build faster, smaller chips that consume less energy.
The commitment represents Intel's largest-ever investment for a new manufacturing process. The funds will be invested in existing Intel sites in Arizona, Oregon and New Mexico. Story here.
Events and Conferences
University of Rochester
Optics Colloquia (ongoing)
Global Phosphor Summit
24 - 26 March, 2009
Miami, FL
Cornell Materials Research
Facilities 101
April 8, 2009
Ithaca, NY
Information and registration here
Defense,
Security & Sensing
13 - 17 April, 2009
Orlando World Center
Orlando, Florida
Optifab
See Conference Details Here
11
- 14 May, 2009
Rochester, NY
CLEO / IQEC 09
May 31 - June 5, 2009
Baltimore, Maryland
World Science Festival
11 - 14 June, 2009
New York City
Photonics Festival in Taiwan 2009
OPTO Taiwan / OPTICS Taiwan / LED Lighting Taiwan / SOLAR Taiwan / Display Taiwan
10 - 12 June, 2009
Taipei World Trade Center |
JML Appoints New President / CEO
Kodak Vet To Lead Longtime Rochester Optics Fabrication Firm
 JML Optical Industries (JML) announced that Edward White joined JML as President/CEO on Monday March 2nd. Mike McCusker will assume the Executive Vice President position; Founder / CEO Joe Lobozzo will become Chairman of the board. It is hoped that White will succeed in securing the financing required for majority ownership. Lobozzo, McCusker and Gerry Lynch plan to remain at JML to help with the transition. White’s vision is to enlarge JML’s workforce to accommodate $25MM to $30MM of revenues per year.
White announced his retirement from Eastman Kodak in January, 2009, after 37 years with the company. Most of his time at Kodak was spent as Worldwide Optics Manager.
Joe Lobozzo said, “As soon as we heard of Ed’s retirement plans we began recruiting him, before one of the many other local optical organizations reached out to him first.”
In a prepared statement Lobozzo thanked Gerry Lynch and Mike McKusker for their many years of dedication, support and friendship.
JML Optical was founded in August of 1972 by Lobozzo, then 28 year old. Lobozzo had moved to Rochester from NYC. He received his B.S. Degree in physics & optics from City College of NY, attended several Master’s level optics courses at the University of Rochester and earned an Executive MBA from RIT in their 1st EMBA Class from 1993 to 1995.
Shortly after JML’s inception, Gerry Lynch joined as vice president of Optical Design. It is estimated that Lynch has designed somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 to 4,000 complex lens systems during her tenure with the JML.
In 1973, Mike McCusker joined JML as Senior Vice President, managing daily operations.
JML’s press release cited sales of $15.3MM in 2008, up from approximately $12MM in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Aikens Workshops Hit a Positive Note
Popular Speaker Delivers Important Learning Opportunity
95 people from 10 Optics companies attended workshops at Monroe Community College in February about “Understanding Scratch and Dig Specifications” and “Specifying Optics Using ISO-10110: The Optics Drawing Standard.”
The workshops were conducted by Dave Aikens, President and founder of Savvy Optics. Dave is an animated and engaging speaker, and as the head of the American delegation to ISO TC 172, he is one of the foremost experts on optics specifications in the United States.
The workshops were the result of a cooperative effort between Monroe Community College and RRPC to secure a SUNY grant to provide learning opportunities for RRPC member companies.
Ron Schulmerich, President of Angstrom Precision Optics Inc. stated “The ISO 10110 and scratch-dig classes were some of the most helpful and practical workshops in a very long time. Our technicians (and myself included) found the information extremely useful.”
The workshop for ISO-10110, which is the International Standard for Optics drawing notations, covered the fundamentals of the drawing layout and notations required for typical optics. The participants learned how to read and interpret optical drawings prepared using this important standard, and the symbology which corresponds to each of the fundamental optical parameters. Comments from workshop participants included “This has helped me tremendously on how to read drawings,” and “Easier print interpretation. Will aid paper quotations and reduce mistakes.”
The Scratch & Dig workshop provided the participants with an understanding of the source of ambiguity in surface imperfection specifications, and how to evaluate a given optic to a particular level of surface imperfection specification. The workshop focused on the differences and application of the Mil-PRF-13830, ISO 10110-7, and ANSI/OEOSC OP1.002. The participants learned how to compose a meaningful surface imperfection specification for cosmetic imperfections using ISO, ANSI, or Mil standards, conduct a surface imperfection visual inspection, and understand the options available for controlling surface imperfections. Participants’ comments included “Will be able to take most guess work out of Final Inspection,” and “This is a frustrating topic, however knowledge is "king" when discussing this issue with customers.”
The workshops were funded in part by a grant obtained by Monroe Community College from the State University of New York, with the purpose of providing learning opportunities for RRPC member companies. There is still funding available. It can be used for almost any kind of training: IT, Lean Mfg, Leadership, equipment training, soft skills. RRPC members can apply for grant money by submitting a request to Charles Caples at ccaples@monroecc.edu / 585-262-1429.
Thanks to Ross Micali, MCC, for the and for his work in putting the program together.
STTR
STTR 09.A Solicitation is open for proposal submission
The DoD Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) 2009.A solicitation is open for proposal submission from February 24, 2009 through 6:00 a.m. ET March 25, 2009. The DoD invites small business firms, with their research institution partners, to submit proposals under this solicitation to the STTR Program. Two DoD components -- the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy -- have R&D topics in this solicitation under which Phase I proposals are sought. The Solicitation, which contains detailed information on the parameters of the STTR program and how to submit a proposal, and Topics are available here.
Topics are here.
MCC's Optics
Moving The Precision Optician Technician Standards Forward
The Center for Optics Manufacturing (COM) at the Unniversity of Rochester was initiated as a National Security Initiative. To many U.S. Optical Fabricators, especially those manufacturing products on the leading edge of technology for defense-related contracts and medical products, the availability of a trainied workforce is no less.
Dianna Phillips, Dean of Technical Education at Monroe Community College, and RRPC / New York  Photonics Executive Director, Tom Battley attended a day long planning session in Waco, Texas at the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education
(OP-TEC), on February 19, 2009.
The session included College representatives from New Mexico, Florida, California and Colorado, and focused upon instilling the National Precision Optics Technician Standards and a laboratory to support training a technical workforce at four, perhaps five college locations across the nation. One location will be chosen as lead in the effort.
Contact RRPC
How does one acquire the coveted RRPC Newsletter Cub
Reporter Badge?
Contact us with industry news and be the first in your
office to wear one (or hide it in your desk).
New York Photonics and the Rochester Regional Photonics
Cluster are active and growing collaborative organizations. Efforts are
under way on joint training events, workforce development, collaborative
advertising opportunities, promoting the commercialization of I.P., and
the development of our website to further facillitate business development.
Join us! There are advantages to working together, and
we are interested in working with you. Send an email to us at membership@rrpc-ny.org.
To subscribe, to unsubscribe, to submit a news item or upcoming event,
to suggest a feature or column, or to offer feedback, contact Tom
Battley, at 585-329-4029.
|
|