( SEPTEMBER 16, 2003 )

HAUPPAUGE, New York, September 16, 2003 -------------- Sagitta's novel Gemini Cx integrated polish, clean, and inspect automated manufacturing cell now has a new process for terminating 24 fiber (MT-24) multifiber connectors to attain new higher optical fiber connector densities in Smaller Form Factor (SFF) footprints required for numerous state-of-the-art photonic applications.

The challenges for achieving high quality end faces are much greater for multifiber connectors than simplex connectors as polishing complexities scale as the number of fiber within the multifiber connector increases. Maintaining the surface quality on each individual fiber within the multifiber connector is exigent with the higher fiber density which results from the increased fiber count.

In particular, maintaining the protrusion uniformity of all 24 fibers within the connector is a key challenge which must be addressed in order for the MT-24 connector to have consistent performance across the whole array of fibers (photo #1). However, Sagitta is able to maintain consistency not only between all 24 fibers within the individual connector, but also among all the multifiber connectors within Sagitta's new high volume polishing fixture expressly designed for batch polishing of MT-24s.

Sagitta is able to achieve this high level of performance in such challenging high density connector designs due to novel patented features imbedded within the Gemini Cx machine (photo #2) such as:

· Floating gimbal head
· Adaptive force control
· Roll-to roll polishing media dispensing

Enabling the consistent manufacturing of MT-24 type connectors of the highest quality at the lowest cost. Sagitta has released this new process into production for several of its customers.

Company Contact: Amir.Chitayat@sagitta.com

About Sagitta

Sagitta was founded in 1997 and provides advanced, high-productivity manufacturing equipment solutions to the global fiber optics and semiconductor industries. The company is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, and maintains an engineering and manufacturing center in Kfar Saba, Israel. A core holding of patented technologies in precision automation, machine vision and sub micron polishing has led to the introduction of multiple systems into the aforementioned markets. Specific introductions include several integrated automated polishing and inspection systems for high-value fiber optic components. Already a leader in failure analysis equipment for the semiconductor and media fields, Sagitta provides an award-winning suite of sample preparation tools used for cross sectional, SEM or TEM semiconductor inspection. Sagitta is a global company with machines installed in Fortune 500 companies. For more information on Sagitta and our products please visit the company's website at www.sagitta.com, or send your inquiries to info@sagitta.com.