March 2026 Optics Insider

<!doctype html>

In this issue:

DPOC members grow stronger together; our newest DPOC members; SPIE Defense + Security industry event, and the importance of community support to grow the optics industry.

Two DPOC Members Join Forces, Creating an Optics Powerhouse

AmeriCOM’s Defense Precision Optics Consortium (DPOC) members, Sydor Optics and Vertex Optics, have joined forces through Sydor’s acquisition of Vertex. Both companies are leaders in the optics industry, and their customers will benefit from expanded capabilities that enable higher levels of precision, improved manufacturing flexibility, and faster development cycles for complex optical systems.

See the full story here.

AmeriCOM Welcomes New DPOC Members

Access Optics designs, engineers, and manufactures precision micro-optics, complex optical assemblies, and medical devices.

Dopa Diamond Tools produces high-precision diamond tools, grinding/polishing consumables, and machinery.

Filtertech manufactures industrial centrifuges that use high-speed centrifugal force to separate solids from liquids, such as coolants, oils, and wastewater.

GeoPulse Solutions develops advanced, low-cost imaging, remote sensing, and spectral analytics technologies for scientific and industrial applications.

Microbeam Technologies, Inc. provides advanced fuel-quality analysis, analytical consulting, and technology development for the energy sector.

Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance is a non-profit industry cluster and hub that accelerates the growth of Montana’s optics, photonics, and quantum industries.

Syntec Optics is a U.S.-based manufacturer of customized precision optics and photonics, specializing in polymer (plastic) components for medical, defense, and consumer markets.

Zernike Precision Optics specializes in producing high-quality, custom aspheric lenses and optical components for research, industrial, and defense applications.

ZS Instruments is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in high-end, precision optical encoders and digital readouts for motion control, robotics, metrology, and manufacturing.

Scaling the Optics Manufacturing Technician Pipeline for Emerging National Defense Priorities

The U.S. industrial base requires a rapidly scalable and highly skilled workforce to effectively support mission-critical technologies, such as Directed Energy. Join leaders from AmeriCOM’s Workforce Development Initiative and partner colleges for a panel on building the nation’s Optics Manufacturing Technician (OMT) workforce. Learn how a growing network of regional academic hubs is closing the optics technician skills gap, establishing national training standards, and strengthening the defense industrial base through strong academia–industry partnerships.

Be sure to stop by AmeriCOM’s Booth #735.

Find out event details here.

How to Support the National and Regional Optics and Photonics Industry Without Spending Millions

There’s no question about it: recent investments of millions of dollars by Sydor Optics, John and Barbara Bruning, and SPIE—along with academic, state, and federal government funding—speaks volumes about their commitments to the industry and will make the new Monroe Community College (MCC) Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Rochester, NY, a reality in the fall of 2026.

But what can small, mid-sized, and large optics, photonics, or laser optics companies do to help programs like MCC’s grow and continue to graduate the next generation of optics technicians?

Click here to find out how.

SPIE Defense + Security

National Harbor, MD

April 26-30, 2026

Stop by AmeriCOM’s booth 735.

Defense Manufacturing Conference

Orlando, FL

March 30-April 2, 2026

Vol. 4, Issue 1 – March 2026

We are pleased to share this edition of our newsletter with you. If you enjoy this content, please
forward it to anyone you think may also appreciate it!