TECHNOLOGYBY KATHLEEN RICHARDS
The 5th Optatec 2000 international trade fair for optics, optoelectronics, and laser technology will take place June 27 - 30 at the Frankfurt Exhibition Centre in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The show, held every other year, offers a look at the latest research, technology, and applications for industrial optics, lasers, optical test and measurement, components, and optic manufacturing processes. Ap proximately 500 companies are expected to participate in the show this year with one-third of the exhibitors from companies based outside of Germany. This year, fiber-optic components and devices are expected to play a larger role with more companies displaying technology and products in the exhibit hall and participating in special events.
Optatec 2000 is held in conjunction with three other international trade fairs: the 3rd Cleanrooms Europe, the 3rd TechMed/Medical Device Tech nology, and the 2nd Clean Tech Europe, a trade fair for cleaning technology. Organizer P.E. Schall GmbH Fairs and Ex hibitions reports that 6,350 visitors attended Optatec and two of the supplementary trade fairs when the shows were last held in 1998.
Half-day seminars will be given each day throughout the Optatec 2000 show from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The last seminar is scheduled on Friday morning. Topics include optical surface inspection, optical standards, optical sensors, lasers, modern methods and optical production, and modern coatings. A laser marketplace seminar sponsored by Lightwave's sister publication Laser Focus World in conjunction with Optatec 2000 is scheduled for Wednes day, June 28. Sessions such as the "Review and Forecast for Global Laser Markets," with Stephen G. Anderson, editor in chief of Laser Focus World, and "Tele com munications Market Trends and Product Evolution," with Robert Steele, a principal at market researcher Strategies Unlimited, will offer analysis of fiber-optic communications technologies, applications, and trends.
The Optatec exhibits will open Tuesday, June 27 from 9 am to 5 pm and continue daily through Friday, closing on the last day at 4 pm. International exhibitors will display a wide range of products, technologies, and services, which by and large fit into the following categories:
- Optical components, materials and systems
- Fiber-optic components and devices
- Lasers and accessories
- Optical transfer
- Optomechanical components and devices
- Infrared technology
- Optical sensors
- Optoelectronic components and devices
- Software
- Methods for fabricating optics
- Optical metrology and testing methods
- Industry associations and publishers.
The number of exhibitors, and international companies, participating in Optatec is increasing this year to about 500 from 450 companies in 1998. Roughly 35% of the participants are from companies outside of Germany. An exhibitor forum, "Light & Optics 2000," free for all Optatec attendees, will include participating fiber-optic companies.