PASADENA, Calif. and ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 11, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optical Research Associates (ORA®), the leading supplier of imaging and illumination design/analysis software, and QED Technologies (QED), provider of Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF®) polishing and Subaperture Stitching Interferometry (SSI®) metrology platforms for the precision optics industry, today announced a cooperative agreement that will facilitate a complete design, tolerancing and manufacturing solution for lens systems incorporating aspheric surfaces. Under this agreement, ORA is integrating superior aspheric design and analysis capabilities in its CODE V® software, leveraging its core analysis, optimization, and tolerancing strengths. The integration includes the Forbes Polynomial surface formulations, developed by Dr. Greg Forbes of QED Technologies.
Although aspheric surfaces offer significant advantages to optical systems, the conventional characterization of their nominal shape is problematic. The Forbes Polynomials, a mathematical representational tool for describing aspheres, represents a novel solution to conventional aspheric characterization challenges. By combining ORA's strength in optical software design with QED's expertise in optics manufacturing, the optical design and fabrication communities will now have a robust and effective tool for manufacturing aspheres, from concept to completion.
"Aspheric optics have been known to significantly improve the performance of optical systems, but have historically been challenging to incorporate in optical design and cost effectively manufacture," said Marc Tricard, Director of Business Development for QED Technologies. "Through the introduction of the Forbes Polynomials and their implementation in the leading edge CODE V software from our development partner ORA, a complete design and manufacturing solution will now become available to the industry."
"The Forbes Polynomials deliver superior mathematical formulations that facilitate easier design, analysis, and tolerancing of aspheric surfaces," said George Bayz, President and CEO of ORA. "We are excited to partner with QED to provide this innovative solution that will help optical designers more easily take advantage of the unique image quality and cost benefits that aspheres offer, particularly for today's increasingly compact optical systems."
ABOUT OPTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
For over 45 years, Optical Research Associates (ORA), headquartered in Pasadena, CA, has been a leader in optical design innovation. ORA is the world's largest optical design software supplier, with customers in more than 25 countries. ORA helps engineers in a wide spectrum of industries create superior optics with CODE V for imaging design, and LightTools® for illumination design. ORA's software combines algorithmic innovations, accuracy, speed, ease of use, and unmatched technical support to help ensure customer success. ORA is also the largest independent supplier of optical systems design with more than 4,800 completed projects in imaging, illumination, and optical systems engineering since the company was founded in 1963. For more information about ORA, visit www.opticalres.com or contact Laura Mickens, Manager of Technical and Marketing Communications, at (626) 795-9101 ext. 372.
ABOUT QED TECHNOLOGIES
Since it was founded in 1996, QED Technologies, based in Rochester, NY, has built a reputation for producing high quality products based on revolutionary, patented technology, advanced computer numerical control machines and world-class software to provide shop-ready solutions for nearly any precision optics manufacturing need. QED offers state-of-the-art finishing and metrology solutions that are designed to meet the needs of advanced optics manufacturers by increasing production speed and yield while decreasing costs. QED is dedicated to providing revolutionary technical solutions that enable or significantly enhance its customers' capabilities and positively impact their bottom line. QED Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (Nasdaq:CCMP). For more information about QED Technologies, visit www.qedmrf.com or contact Robin Townell, Marketing Manager, at (585) 256-6540 ext. 241.
ABOUT CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is the world's leading supplier of CMP polishing slurries and growing CMP pad supplier to the semiconductor industry. The company's products play a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor devices, enabling the manufacture of smaller, faster and more complex devices by its customers. The company's mission is to create value by developing reliable and innovative solutions, through close customer collaboration, that solve today's challenges and help enable tomorrow's technology. Since becoming an independent public company in 2000, the company has grown to approximately 900 employees on a global basis. For more information about Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, visit www.cabotcmp.com or contact Amy Ford, Director of Investor Relations at (630) 499-2600.
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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This news release may include statements that constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities regulations. These forward-looking statements include statements related to: future sales and operating results; company and industry growth, contraction or trends; growth or contraction of the markets in which the company participates; international events or various economic factors; product performance; the generation, protection and acquisition of intellectual property, and litigation related to such intellectual property; new product introductions; development of new products, technologies and markets; the acquisition of or investment in other entities; uses and investment of the company's cash balance; and the construction of facilities by Cabot Microelectronics Corporation. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including those described from time to time in Cabot Microelectronics' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described by these forward-looking statements. In particular, see "Risk Factors" in the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, both filed with the SEC. Cabot Microelectronics assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.