AIM Photonics’ TAP facility boasts 100 members

The American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics’ Test, Assembly, and Packaging facility now has 100 members.

Staff has been operating at the newly renovated facility at Eastman Business Park since August and work preparing the cleanrooms for tool deployment has been completed, with installation of the TAP facility’s advanced toolset already underway, officials said.

At a meeting in Rochester, AIM Photonics officials updated the board on the consortium’s recent annual membership meeting and on its customer pipeline. Potential customers now include companies that range from startups to large and established businesses. Some of these companies will begin working with AIM Photonics to utilize the TAP facility next month.

“The innovative AIM Photonics TAP Facility builds upon Rochester’s leadership in the optics, photonics, and imaging industries, which are central to the success of the locally designed Finger Lakes Forward economic development plan,” said Joe Maggiore, chairman of the New York State Photonics Board. “The Photonics Attraction Fund will also serve to further support the economic momentum that is building regional momentum.”

Empire State Development recently approved $30 million in operating expenses for the consortiums’ continuing operating budget for years three through five. It brings the total approved state funding for the project to $247 million of the committed $250 million, which also includes funding for the $30 million Photonics Attraction Fund, aimed at attracting integrated photonics companies to set up manufacturing operations in the Greater Rochester area.

First announced by Vice President Joe Biden and Gov. Andrew Cuomo in July 2015, AIM Photonics, an industry-driven, public-private partnership is expected help secure the nation and region’s leadership in emerging technology research, development, and manufacturing.