| Corning NetOptix progressive inserts feature numerous technology advantages New York, New York (March 21, 2003) -- Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) subsidiary NetOptix today said that several technology breakthroughs on its new diamond-turned progressive polycarbonate mold inserts may soon replace traditional electro-form and glass mold systems. ?Our new mold inserts used to injection mold progressive polycarbonate lenses offer several technology advantages, from solving the programming of complex free-forms to greatly improving the accuracy of the laser-etched semi-visible markings on the final contour,? said Jeffrey Perra, a product manager for NetOptix, a Corning subsidiary since 2000. ?The technology breakthroughs also are significant in terms of price,? Perra said, adding that his company?s Keene, N.H. - based facility has the capacity to produce virtually unlimited quantities of finished next generation progressive inserts press ready.? NetOptix?s complete product offering includes on-axis spheres and aspheres, toroids, flats, and advanced ophthalmic multi-focal inserts. Perra listed these advantages of the NetOptix Progressive Inserts: Precision clocking feature. Each insert has a precision dowel hole on the back surface for consistently accurate contour orientation every time. Electroless nickel plating. NetOptix can nickel-plate a variety of substrate materials, up to .025? thickness with zero defect allowance. Superior figure accuracy. Every insert will precisely match a customer?s theoretical design within 1-2 µm total profile accuracy over the entire contour and within .25 - .5 µm cylinder over a typical designated test aperture. Laser etching. The precision clocking feature on each insert facilitates the location of the semi-visible markings and dramatically improves their positional accuracy. ?These breakthrough concepts have the potential to revolutionize a lens category that already represents the most technologically-advanced of all ophthalmic lenses,? Perra said. NetOptix is currently teaming with Corning Ophthalmic?s North American unit to identify additional commercial opportunities for its progressive inserts, Perra said. More information on Corning NetOptix is available on the Internet at www.corningnetoptix.com. Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world?s economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television, information technology and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, ophthalmic, semiconductor and environmental markets. * * * * * Learn more about the advantages ... For more information, please contact your Corning Office. | 
