Fiber optics is one of today's hottest industries. But, manufacturers can't supply enough optical components to keep up with demand. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is finding a way to automate the assembly process.

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 21st century, the role of the manufacturing engineer is very difficult to define. It's a role that grows more complex day in and year out.

Trianon Industries Corp. (Yvelines, France), a Tier One supplier of automotive sheet metal components and assemblies, was faced with increasing the manufacturing efficiency of its welded automotive underbody assemblies. The company contacted Rofin-Sinar Inc. (Plymouth, MI), and together, they collaborated on the design, specification and test stages of new, high-speed remote laser welders.

Traditionally, fiber optic devices have been assembled using various discrete components. Some observers believe integrated optical components, photonic chips and wafer scale manufacturing provide an answer to the assembly woes that have been plaguing the industry.

Once known primarily for rugged kitchenware, such as casserole dishes, Corning Inc. (Corning, NY) is now the world's leading producer of optical fiber, which it pioneered more than 30 years ago. The $4.7 billion company spun off its famous cookware business in 1998 to focus on the booming fiber optics industry.

Fiber optic communication requires more than just hair-thin strands of glass. A wide variety of optoelectronic components and photonic devices are necessary to generate, modulate, guide, amplify, switch and detect light.