Department of Defense Awards Edmund Optics Inc. $2.8 million for Molded Aspheric and Critical Optics Manufacturing Technology

 January 5, 2006, Barrington, NJ.  Edmund Optics announced today that it recently received $2.8 million in DoD ManTech funding for the development of advanced manufacturing tools vital to producing complex conformal and advanced optical elements such as aspheres. Geared primarily at advances in precision glass molding technology, the initial objective will be to create low cost tooling methods critical to low and mid volume lens production runs needed by many DoD programs. As the program unfolds over the next 2-3 years, the scope will be expanded to include new methods for reducing assembly time of complex optical systems such as high precision night vision and fire control systems.

Edmund Optics in conjunction with the US Army Benet Weapons Lab will manage the project at the Edmund Optics Advanced Optics Manufacturing Facility located in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. Design engineering and assembly technologies will be co-developed at the Edmund Optics’ corporate headquarters in Barrington, New Jersey and design center in Tucson, Arizona.

According to Edmund Optics President John Stack, ‘‘Cost effective implementation of asphere technology has become a major obstacle to increasing performance and reducing weight in a wide variety of DoD programs. The grant will go a long way to solving some long-standing technical and manufacturing hurdles.’‘

Company officials view the funding as a significant step in advancing optical manufacturing technology in North America. Several members of the US Congress and Senate were instrumental in supporting the award.  ‘‘I am pleased to have been able to support this request that will enable an outstanding local employer, Edmund Optics, to produce these critical elements,’‘ said Rep. Rob Andrews (NJ).

For more information contact:
Marisa Edmund
Director of Marketing
Edmund Optics Inc.
856-547-3488 x6820

Definition of Terms:

Advanced:
An asphere lens is an optical component that has at least one non-spherical surface. Aspheric surfaces can increase the numerical aperture of a lens while minimizing system aberrations. Additionally, when designed into lens systems, aspheres may enable a reduction of lens elements, which can save on materials and manufacturing costs.

Basic:
An asphere lens allows the user to better focus light.  One asphere can typically replace several lens components in an optical system.

About Edmund Optics Inc:

Edmund Optics (EO) is a leading producer of optics, imaging, and photonics technology. Supporting the R&D, electronics, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and military markets around the globe; EO products are used in a variety of applications ranging from DNA sequencing to retinal eye scanning to high-speed factory automation. EO’s state of the art manufacturing capabilities combined with its global distribution network has earned it the position of the world’s largest supplier of off-the-shelf optical components. Customers can purchase items by contacting EO at 1-800-363-1992, via the catalog, or via the website at www.edmundoptics.com.