Rochester, NY, Feb. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QED Technologies (QED), pioneer and provider of Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF®) polishing and Subaperture Stitching Interferometry (SSI®) metrology platforms for the precision optics industry, announces the release of the Q-flex 300, the next MRF polishing system in the Q-flex® product line. Q-flex systems offer MRF's longstanding benefits of determinism in a modular, production-ready platform that allows quick configuration changes and provides unprecedented manufacturing capabilities, especially for difficult spheres, aspheres and freeform optics.
The Q-flex 300 can polish a range of precision optics up to 300 millimeters in diameter. Similar to the Q-flex 100, the Q-flex 300 utilizes QED.NET software and includes modular, user-friendly features, which are common across Q-flex platforms. The polishing heads and fluid control modules are easy to handle and are interchangeable between Q-flex systems. This flexibility enables the operator to efficiently match the system to the workload in the precision optics shop. In addition, the Q-flex 300 includes an ergonomic part loading feature allowing for safe and efficient user operability. The Q-flex 300 operates in rotational, raster or freeform modes and its software is configurable for production or prototype manufacturing.
"We are delighted to expand the Q-flex line of MRF polishing systems to include the Q-flex 300," said Andrew Kulawiec, President of QED Technologies. "Precision optics manufacturers will benefit from the determinism, versatility and precision of MRF, in a flexible platform designed to accommodate 300mm optics such as spheres, aspheres and freeform optics. We believe these capabilities represent a competitive advantage for our customers around the world."
The Q-Flex 300 model is already gaining customer acceptance with QED's first sale. "Precision optical fabrication and testing is one of the core technologies of the Instrument Technology Research Center (ITRC), National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs)," said Dr. Aaron Wei-Yao Hsu, Research Fellow & Division Director at ITRC, NARLabs. "Our current focus is asphere and freeform optics with diameters ranging from several tens to several hundreds of millimeters. The new MRF model, Q-flex 300, which ITRC, NARLabs recently purchased has both asphere and freeform polishing capabilities and is especially suitable for our large variety demand."
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. In 2011, QED Technologies established QED Optics. QED Optics offers precision optics polishing and metrology services on a contract basis. 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 a 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 1,050 employees on a global basis. For more information about Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, visit www.cabotcmp.com or contact Trisha Tuntland, Manager of Investor Relations at 630-499-2600.
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, regulatory or legislative activity, 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; natural disasters; the acquisition of or investment in other entities; uses and investment of the company's cash balance; financing facilities and related debt, payment of principal and interest, and compliance with covenants and other terms; the company's capital structure; and the construction and operation 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 annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, filed with the SEC. Cabot Microelectronics assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.
Trisha Tuntland Manager, Investor Relations (630) 499-2600
