Rochester, NY, May 10, 2011 (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 Q-flex™, its next generation MRF polishing system. Q-flex offers the determinism of MRF in a newly designed modular platform that allows quick configuration changes and provides unprecedented manufacturing capabilities, especially for difficult spheres, aspheres and freeform optics.
QED’s Q-flex takes precision optics polishing to new levels of performance and flexibility while enhancing its ease of use. Q-flex incorporates all new MRF polishing head designs with 20mm, 50mm and 150mm size wheels. Features such as kinematic base plates and automatic head alignment, enable tool-free head changeovers in minutes. The new MRF head designs also enable polishing of freeform optics and more of today’s challenging optical designs. The all new modular Fluid Control Modules (FCM) make fluid changes fast and the integrated Electronic Fluid Management System (EFMS) provides greater fluid stability and continuity from day to day and machine to machine. New QED.NET software, based on the latest .NET architecture, provides different process flows for prototype and production modes, and allows for customized access by different levels of users. Its "Wizard" feature guides users through many processes with an online help system available to answer any questions that may arise. QED.NET also enables fast and convenient remote support from QED by allowing operators to email questions and workspaces to QED Customer Service right from the machine.
"MRF has been the technology of choice for precision optics manufacturers for years. With Q-flex, we incorporated many of the design and functionality elements requested by our customers. As a result, Q-flex delivers all of the benefits of MRF technology while being incredibly flexible. Q-flex also brings more capability and efficiency to any optics manufacturer, from volume production to prototype shops," said Andrew Kulawiec, President of QED Technologies.
Q-flex will be introduced at SPIE's Optifab tradeshow, May 10-12, Rochester NY.
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 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 975 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.
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; natural disasters; 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 December 31, 2010 and in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, both filed with the SEC. Cabot Microelectronics assumes no obligation to update this forward-looking information.