Who We Are
Research efforts to support business needs and growth potential have identified the value of sharing optics equipment and services with member and optics industry cluster companies. This sharing concept will assist business problem-solving, urgent equipment access and business growth.
We are a committee made up of local optics companies business leaders, representatives from Optics Valley, and other volunteers from the local community.
We care about the development and growth of our optics industry here in Arizona.
We support:
Faster, better and less expensive access to optics equipment
Growth by allowing smaller companies to seek more complex projects that they know how to accomplish but do not have the equipment to support
Increased competitiveness within the Arizona optics industry cluster
Our Solution
A three-pronged approach is being used to achieve these goals.
The “Virtual Laboratory” exchange allows companies with available time on equipment to share the use of that equipment with other companies, akin to ‘borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor’. This lending will support small, short term needs and may be negotiated company to company for schedule, fees, and other logistics. In essence, the task moves to the equipment at the loaning company.
The “Equipment Lending Library” exchange allows companies with available equipment to loan that equipment out to other companies, similar to ‘borrowing a book from a public library’. This lending will support medium term needs, and allow companies to utilize otherwise unused equipment. Availability, fees, and other logistics will be negotiated between the companies. Training, transportation, and other concerns will be addressed before loan and can be facilitated by the Community Lab. In essence, the equipment moves to the task at the borrowing company.
In the future, our intent is to create a “Shared Community Optics Laboratory” which is a shared equipment cooperative. This will allow companies and the community to gain access to high-quality equipment in a central location (currently planned at Pima Community College’s downtown campus). In essence, the work moves to the future facility for a short period of time.
This website initially supports the Virtual Laboratory and Equipment Lending Library as demand, funds, and opportunity help us develop the capability. We need your support and participation!
