IRVINE, Calif., March 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Newport Corporation (Nasdaq:NEWP) today announced it will feature a number of new products and technologies at this year's Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC), highlighting state-of-the-art advances in automated assembly and test and measurement applications designed to accelerate time to market, deliver scalability and high performance, increase throughput and enable its customers to react quickly to changing market needs.
Newport's exhibit will be open March 19 to 21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, at Booth 3101 in Exhibit Hall C.
Robert G. Deuster, chairman and chief executive officer of Newport, said, "Newport offers the fiber optic communications marketplace the broadest portfolio of manual, semi-automated and fully automated assembly and test equipment to serve the largest range of fiber optic component applications. This product strategy allows our customers to grow their manufacturing capacity using Newport products.
"We understand that our customers are seeking not just quality and dependable components, but cost effective solutions. OFC 2002 is the perfect forum for Newport to highlight our expertise in robotic pick and place technology, systems integration, machine design, and process development that will allow our customers to increase yields and reduce device costs. We look forward to exhibiting Newport's advanced capabilities, particularly now as the industry prepares for the next growth phase within the fiber optic communications marketplace."
During OFC 2002, Newport will feature a number of new products and technologies including:
* Automated VCSEL Assembly System - a new product that incorporates Newport-proprietary technology in robotics and machine vision to align and attach various styles of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) devices and array products used primarily for metro market applications. * Automated Laser Diode Characterization System (ALDCS) - an automated turnkey system that characterizes and sorts laser diode devices before packaging to increase manufacturing yields and reduce finished component cost. ALDCS utilizes Newport's flexible INTEGRA(TM) test software to gather data and improve manufacturing process yields. * AutoAlign-MDX Modular Alignment System for Photonics Packaging - a low cost, modular and expandable system for performing alignment and metrology of fiber optic components, such as planar waveguides, arrayed wave guides (AWGs), fiber collimators and various active devices. In its basic configuration, the AutoAlign-MDX is an economical entry-level version of Newport's automated assembly systems, primarily intended for early process development, prototyping and lower volume production. The system is highly flexible and modular, enabling more sophisticated functionality to be easily added. The AutoAlign-MDX also utilizes the same mechanical and software interfaces as Newport's high-end automated assembly products, which offers a direct upward migration path as users transition from the laboratory environment to the production floor. * Palletized AMS-AutoAlign - a turnkey automated fiber alignment and attachment system for assembly of fiber optic components such as planar waveguides, AWGs, fiber collimators, modulators and various other active devices. The palletized configuration of the AMS- AutoAlign automatically loads devices into the work-nest where the active fiber alignment and attachment is completed. Elimination of human device loading increases part yield and reduces waste from part handling. * Power Meters - Three new power meters have been added to Newport's family of benchtop test instrumentation. Newport power meters offer the industry's highest sensitivity for measuring critical fiber optic components during final test and qualification. Power meters include fiber optic connectorized terminations for speed of use. * INTEGRA(TM) Software - a modular, expandable automation control software platform that provides comprehensive functionality, ease of use, and seamless integration and connectivity across a broad range of photonic test & assembly systems and applications. The INTEGRA platform offers a common software environment to perform automated alignment, metrology, material handling, data recording and process management functions, as well as providing a universal interface for connecting Newport automation equipment with other factory automation components, instruments, or software. * Pneumatically Actuated Device Grippers - are used to hold and move optical and semiconductor devices and fiber to enable full turnkey automation of fiber optic device assembly. Software control of the gripper force allows accurate handling of the most fragile devices These pneumatic grippers are used with Newport's AMS-AutoAlign, AMS-4200 and other Newport automation tools. * MRSI 5005 Die Bonder - an automated eutectic solder die bond system with high accuracy, 5-micron placement capability for optical applications used for assembly of lasers and photodetectors on sub- mounts for use in fiber optic transceivers. This equipment enables customers to achieve industry leading throughput via unique fast closed-loop temperature ramping and controlled contact force for placing small delicate dies with "no touch" surface/edge features, and small, thin preforms.
"Newport's strength is our ability to provide our customers with automated solutions that generate significant throughput improvements in their entire production process," Deuster said. "We believe our suite of new fiber optic communications products will enable our customers to be significantly more efficient in manufacturing components in the next phase of the telecommunications cycle."
For a detailed report on each of Newport's products that will be on exhibit at OFC 2002 go to Newport Corporation's Web site at www.newport.com.
About Newport Corporation
Newport Corporation is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-precision components, instruments and integrated systems for the fiber optic communications, semiconductor equipment, aerospace, research and industrial metrology markets. The Company's innovative products are designed to enhance productivity and capabilities in test and measurement and automated assembly for precision manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Customers include Fortune 500 corporations, technology companies and research laboratories in commercial, academic and government sectors worldwide. Newport is part of the Standard & Poor's Midcap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 SmallCap Index.
The statements in this news release, including the statements made by Robert G. Deuster are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As discussed in Newport's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, the ability of Newport to successfully introduce its products and technologies to the fiber optics communications marketplace; the success of Newport's fiber optics business strategy overall; future economic, competitive and market conditions, including those in Europe and Asia and those related to Newport's strategic markets, particularly the fiber optics and photonics market; whether its products, particularly those targeting the company's strategic markets, will continue to achieve customer acceptance; and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Newport. Although Newport believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Newport or any other person that Newport's objectives or plans will be achieved. Newport undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect such events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.