OptiPro President Mike Bechtold presents at the Summer SBIR Review Meeting on June 28th.

OptiPro's SBIR Review Meeting was a success once again as nearly 60 people attended the biannual event. The meeting, which took place on June 28th, brought representatives from government agencies, prime contractors, and companies from all across the nation to see the most recent advancements being made in the precision optics industry due to the funding provided by SBIR contracts. 13 individuals, including 7 OptiPro employees, updated the group on recent developments regarding a wide range of topics - from precise finishing to accurate measurement of complex shapes made from both hard and soft materials. Other companies that presented their progress in the SBIR program included QED Technologies, Applied Science Innovations, ASE Optics, Optimax Systems, and CeraNova.

Upon completion of the presentations, attendees stopped by OptiPro's facility to receive a shop tour and view machine demonstrations of OptiPro's equipment, including the all new PRO 80GTS, PRO 80P, PRO 80UFF and PRO Tower. Guests also enjoyed beer, wine, and appetizers while networking with one another.

We want to thank both Dan Harris of the US Navy and Brian Jones of the US Army for their continued contributions to the SBIR program. We would also like to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend the event. To view pictures from the event, click on the link below.

Pictures from the Summer 2011 SBIR Review Meeting >>

A look at the last OptiPro open house, which brought in over 200 attendees

OptiPro's annual Open House and Steak-Out will be taking place November 2nd and 3rd at OptiPro's newly-expanded facility! Currently in progress is the construction of a 7,500 square foot addition to OptiPro's building that will house OptiPro's optics machine build area, opening up more room for our machine tool showroom and our Advanced Process Development (APD) lab. OptiPro's Open House gives attendees the opportunity to check out the technologically advanced and cost-effective machine tools OptiPro represents and the OptiPro product line of CNC optical grinding, polishing, and measuring machines. You will also be able to learn more about the capabilities of the world's most popular CAD/CAM software, Mastercam. Those in attendance will also be able to enjoy a free steak lunch and dinner courtesy of OptiPro.

More details regarding OptiPro's open house, including a complete list of machines that will be on display, will be announced in the upcoming newsletters.

In the past few months, OptiPro has added 3 new employees to our optics division. Meet the new members of OptiPro's team:

Jay Komsa

Jay Komsa, Engineer: Jay Komsa holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester. Jay conducted an independent research project, while in attendance, on the degree of deformation polished into ogive structures to reinforce his master degree focus in the design and analysis of optical mechanical structures. His work experience includes an internship in the Space Department at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory where he designed risk management tests for the International Lunar Network.

Alex Mikolajko

Alex Mikolajko: Alex Mikolajko graduated from Wayne Central High School and is in his 2nd year of attendance at RIT to receive his degree in Mechanical Engineering for Technology. Alex has extensive SolidWorks experience and is assisting in the creation and modification of current and future parts for OptiPro machines with SolidWorks. Currently, he is helping to develop and design the PRO 80 Series.

Rashaad Stokelin

Rashaad Stokelin, Assistant Sales for Optical Products: Rashaad Stokelin holds a BS in Business Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College. During Rashaad's college career he completed a full business cycle including courses such as Management, Accounting, Marketing, Business Communications, Business Law, Finance, International Business, Human Resource, Strategic Management, Business Ethics, etc. During the spring semester of his senior year, Rashaad completed a 2 credit, 15 week, 90 hour minimum Business Internship at the Roberts Wesleyan Athletic Department where he served as an Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director. At OptiPro, Rashaad is to assist with sales and promotion of service onctracts and follow-up on all sales leads.