• Lighting and Imaging Home
• Lighting and Imaging Applications
  • Architectural & Wellness
  • Automotive
  • Aviation & Transportation
  • CCD
  • Defense
  • Medical
  • Machine Vision
  • Microscopy
  • Imaging
  • Sensors/ Metrology&Control
  • Retail & Museum
  • Traffic & Signage
  • Biotechnology
• Lighting and Imaging Services
  • Business Contact
  • About Lighting and Imaging
  • Brochure Request Form
  • Recycling
  • Press
  • Fairs & Events

SCHOTT North America Inc.
Southbridge, MA

SCHOTT FIBER OPTICS

Bldg. 51 Bldg. 20 SCHOTT Fiber Optics (SFO) is a world-renowned custom-designer / manufacturer of fiber optic imaging and lighting components, products and systems for industrial, medical, scientific and commercial applications. The development of this technology began in a 1954 research project - "to experiment with drawing optical fiber capable of transmitting images and assembling the fiber into useful devices," and evolved into the American Optical, Fiber Optics Division. SFO, now a member of the SCHOTT Group, acquired the former fiber optic division of American Optical and these experiments and inventions have been steadily refined throughout the years to form the solid basis for SFO's current state-of-the-art development and manufacturing operations and its innovative fiber optic imaging technology. Historically, some of our technological highlights include:

1950's

Glass coating/glass core techniques Multi-fiber concepts Hoop winding and assembly processes

1960's

Drawing and assembling flexible multifibers into "coherent" image bundles. Drawing and manufacturing fused faceplates for image intensifiers Introducing industrial inspection instruments

1970's

Leached fiber bundle technology development that expanded medical and industrial applications worldwide Introducing the first medical laryngoscope and flexible sigmoidoscope, followed by continual advancements in medical imaging technology

1980's

Fiber optic tapers for medical, dental and large area (mammography) x-ray imaging Radioluminescent glass for fiber optic faceplates Radiation-resistant faceplates <10um fiber diameter and 20,000 element flexible fiber bundles Expanded range of immersible medical, veterinary and industrial instruments

1990's

UltraClean¨ and UltraRes¨ manufacturing processes and components Anamorphic taper and High Refractive Index (HRI) imaging technology patents Coherent capillary arrays for "atom tracking" and x-ray focusing Hydrogen faceplates Garrett Guide Tubes for AlliedSignal's Garrett TFE731 aircraft engine

In 1986 Warner Lambert sold its AO fiber optics division to Cambridge Instruments; our name changed to Reichert Fiber Optics. On January 1, 1987, we became a member of the worldwide SCHOTT Group (Germany), and were aptly named SCHOTT Fiber Optics. SFO's technology development has steadily advanced throughout these transitions. In 1991, SCHOTT Fiber Optics became one of the core businesses of SCHOTT's newly formed Opto-Electronics Group. The O-E Group operates in global fiber optic and electronic packaging markets and employs 1700 people at nine international locations. Today, as part of the Fiber Optics group, SCHOTT Fiber Optics continues to expand its technology, manufacturing programs and innovative products to meet or exceed custom requirements for high resolution image transfer. The SCHOTT Group companies manufacture and distribute special glass and glass-related products and systems for consumer, industry, medicine, high tech and commercial applications.

SCHOTT Fiber Optics is ISO 9001:2000 registered