The State of Optics 2026: Scaling The Lab, Single-Use, and the Path to AI Integration

The State of Optics 2026: Scaling The Lab, Single-Use, and the Path to AI Integration

We're back! Season 2 of Focus on Precision [https://open.spotify.com/show/4zz1psYaRoqNq18WU9Uvh0?go=1&sp_cid=7e97a6848614ba339b7afe6b4e8ff1d7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=1faa7fef42224d28] is officially kicking off, and Clay Schwabe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-schwabe/] joins Justin Starbird to dive deep into the massive changes happening at Precision Optics [https://www.poci.com/] (POC) and across the med tech and defense industries.  Tune in as Clay gives us the lowdown on POC’s big growth spurt and corporate HQ move, as well as the exciting rebranding of the micro optics division to "The Lab at Precision Optics," which leverages decades of expertise (160+ combined years!) to create sub-100-micron components for next-generation devices.  Get the inside scoop on how POC is adapting to the explosion of single-use endoscopes, integrating high-resolution imaging with AI and machine learning, and why they're changing their trade show strategy to connect directly with physicians and thought leaders.  Join us to discover how POC is positioning itself to be the long-term partner and the biggest name in small, complex optics manufacturing!

Photonics West Preview: Industry Trends, Small-Scale Innovation, and the Power of Partnership

In this episode of Focus on Precision, host Justin Starbird [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinstarbird/] kicks off the 2026 season with a look ahead to the industry's premier event: SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco. Joining the conversation are Janice Hunter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-hunter-21b6018b/] from Precision Optics (POC) and Carlos Penalbert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-pe%C3%B1albert-48381660/] from Ross Optical. Together, they bridge the gap between high-level design engineering and global component sourcing, sharing their unique perspectives on why 2026 is poised to be a breakout year for the optics industry. In this episode, we explore: * The "Reunion" of Photonics: Why in-person trade shows remain the "grad night" of the optics world, where handshakes turn into high-stakes partnerships. * A Rosy Outlook for 2026: Carlos and Janice discuss the shift from the economic caution of 2025 to a more stable, aggressive planning cycle for the year ahead. * The Trend Toward Miniaturization: Insights into the growing demand for compactness, fitting 6 or 7 optical elements into a 1–2mm housing for medical and defense applications. * Coatings: The "Icing on the Cake": Why the right thin-film coating is the critical difference between a theoretical design and a high-performance functional system. * The Unity Platform: How POC’s [https://www.poci.com/] out-of-the-box solution is shortening development timelines and validating customer concepts faster than ever. * Design for Reality: Real-world stories of "hashing it out at the podium" to turn impossible drawings into manufacturable, high-performance optics. Are you heading to San Francisco? Visit the team at Booth 1462 during the Photonics West Exhibition, January 20–22! Tune in to the podcast to learn more!

Ross Optical, The Optical Component Experts

In this episode of Focus on Precision [https://www.poci.com/podcasts/], host Justin Starbird [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinstarbird/] and POC VP of Sales and Marketing Clay Schwabe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-schwabe/] sit down with the leadership team at Ross Optical [https://www.rossoptical.com/] to pull back the curtain on the critical bridge between global supply chains and high-precision engineering. Joining the conversation are Divi Mangadu [https://www.linkedin.com/in/divaker-mangadu-13005013/], President of Ross Optical, and Carlos Penalbert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-pe%C3%B1albert-48381660/], Sales and Coating Engineer. Together, they discuss how Ross has evolved from a 1980s lens manufacturer into a sophisticated metrology and sourcing powerhouse within the Precision Optics Corporation (POC) family. What you'll learn in this episode: * How ROSS Optical transitioned from high-volume domestic manufacturing to building a resilient global network of suppliers across Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe. * Why the 2019 merger with Precision Optics was a game-changer, combining POC’s high-level design engineering with Ross’s worldwide sourcing and high-volume production capabilities. * A look at the El Paso lab’s technical edge, using Zygo verifiers, Trioptics instruments, and Keyence microscopes to ensure every component, from 3mm to 150mm, meets exact specifications. * How the team navigated the shift from 25% to 50% tariffs with near-zero late shipments through aggressive inventory management and risk mitigation. * Why "people answering the phone" and inventory buffering (keeping 99.9% of common parts in stock) remain the foundation of their customer loyalty. * Why the optics industry is currently "booming" and how savvy OEMs are placing orders years in advance to stay ahead of market trends. Tune in today!

Navigating Regulatory Complexity in Modern MedTech with MedEdge’s Tiffini Wittwer

In this episode of Focus on Precision, host Justin Starbird welcomes back Clay Schwabe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-schwabe/], VP of Business Development at Precision Optics [https://www.poci.com/], and special guest Tiffini Wittwer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffini-wittwer-2ab82b3/], COO and Founder of MedEdge, for an in-depth discussion on one of the most challenging and rapidly evolving parts of medical device innovation: regulatory strategy. Tiffini brings over two decades of experience in clinical, regulatory, and quality leadership, and she shares how MedEdge was founded to fill a critical gap for startups navigating the increasingly complex path to commercialization. From accelerating time-to-market to reducing the burden on small teams, she explains why today’s environment allows innovators to bring ideas to life without massive internal infrastructure, if they have the right expert partners! The conversation dives into: * How regulatory pathways have transformed over the last 10–20 years * Why the FDA’s evolving stance on software, AI, and cybersecurity especially impacts optics-driven devices * The growing role of de novo classifications, and why more startups are choosing this route * The challenges of finding predicate devices in a world of rapidly advancing technologies * Why investors are pushing for earlier clinical evidence, and how that influences strategy * How optics innovations often sit at the forefront of the FDA’s expectations for next-gen medical devices With practical insights, honest stories, and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for medical device engineers, startup founders, and anyone navigating the path from concept to clearance. Whether you’re building imaging systems, developing software-driven devices, or gearing up for your first 510(k), you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of the regulatory landscape, and what it takes to succeed.

The Precision Advantage of the Optics Lab

Go behind the scenes and discover the critical technical capability that sets Precision Optics Corporation (POC) [https://www.poci.com/] apart! In this exclusive episode of the Focus on Precision podcast, we sit down with CEO Joe Forkey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-forkey-1b962b9/] and Richard Cyr from the Micro-Optics Laboratory. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the Optics Lab. The engine of POC's innovation, to reveal the secrets behind manufacturing components smaller than a grain of salt. The discussion focuses on the Micro-Precision™ advantage: * The Technical Edge: Hear what makes fabricating sub-millimeter lenses and assemblies fundamentally different from standard optics. Discover the proprietary methods POC developed to achieve extreme precision and scalability, solving major challenges like component centration and alignment. * The Strategic Value: Hear why the vertical integration of the Optics Lab is the company's single most critical differentiator, speeding up product cycles and directly influencing the design limits for customers in robotic surgery and defense. * Innovation vs. Limitation: Learn how the internal team collaborates with clients to tackle "impossible" technical requirements and what investments in culture and training are required to maintain this elite level of expertise. * The Future: Get an inside look at the next frontier in micro-optics. Are we still aiming for smaller sizes, or are advancements shifting to new materials and complex multi-element assemblies? If you want to understand the true foundation of MedTech innovation, this episode is essential listening. Tune in now!