Site Map

Find out how EXFO is taking green action.
EXFO | Life Sciences & Industrial Division » About » Milestones

Milestones

EXFO Life Sciences & Industrial Division has evolved into a global leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of light-based delivery systems through more than 25 years of progressive, revolutionary products and applications.

MILESTONES AT-A-GLANCE

1984

EFOS IS BORN

EFOS opens its doors as a privately held company in Toronto, Ontario. It is soon to become a widely recognized leader in precision light-based adhesive spot curing technologies and curing process control for the global optical component manufacturing market.


1985

CURING SYSTEM FOR DENTAL RESTORATIVE MATERIALS

We were the first Canadian manufacturer of light-based curing systems for dental restorative material.


1989

ULTRACURE 100 LAUNCHES

With the launch of the Ultracure 100, we were industry pioneers in the industrial manufacturing assembly market for UV (ultraviolet) adhesive curing.


1995

EFOS ACHIEVES ISO 9001 REGISTRATION

EFOS has been independently audited and certified to be in conformance with ISO 9001. ISO 9000 is a family of standards for quality management systems and it certifies that formalized business processes are being applied.


1996

CLOSED-LOOP FEEDBACK IS PATENTED: A CORNERSTONE OF EXFO'S PHILOSOPHY

The Closed-Loop Feedback patent is granted. Tied to international standards maintained by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) this technology patent is the basis for providing repeatable, controllable, calibrated light exposure to photo-reactive materials.

This patent is one of the cornerstones of our technology. It was born through our approach of understanding the needs of our customers, the environment our products are used in, and how our products are interfaced with other systems and photo-reactive materials. All of our products are designed to improve control and repeatability, so that customers can significantly improve efficiencies in whatever application they are focused on.

NOVACURE® LAUNCHES

Novacure® - a light-based curing system with Closed-Loop Feedback Control - is launched, providing users greater control and repeatability. Intended to serve the medical device manufacturing market, the Novacure® has also became the gold standard for the telecommunications and opto-electronics component assembly industries.

BURLEIGH® LSS 3000 SERIES LAUNCHES

Combing innovative Inchworm® technology and extensive knowledge of piezoelectric materials, the Burleigh® LSS 3000 Series of Patch Clamp Micromanipulators is launched, intended for use in the life science electrophysiology market.


1997

BURLEIGH® PCS-5000 MICROMANIPULATOR AND PLATFORM LAUNCH

The PCS-5000 Series Patch Clamp Micromanipulator and Platform is launched, offering a total solution of absolute control in patch clamp micromanipulation.

PARTING FROM THE DENTAL CURING LIGHT MARKET

Dentsply International acquired all of the dental light curing products and related assets. This paved the way for the significant focus we have today on light based material processing within industrial and research industries.


1998

BURLEIGH® PCS-500-SSH LAUNCHES (STEEP/SHALLOW HEADSTAGE ADAPTOR)

The Burleigh® PCS-500-SSH Adaptor is launched, adding unprecedented flexibility for positioning the headstage at very steep and shallow angles.

IN-HOUSE LAB INTRODUCED

An in-house material testing laboratory in established, providing the company greater opportunity to understand the fundamental mechanisms of light initiated material processing.


1999

X-CITE® 50 LAUNCHES

Emerging into the fluorescence microscopy illumination market, the X-Cite® 50 is launched. A first of its kind, this product provides longer lamp life than any other on the market, and removes the tedious requirement of lamp alignment.


2000

OMNICURE® R5000 RADIOMETER LAUNCHES

The R5000 is launched, setting another UV industry standard of radiometry accuracy with its flattened spectral response and patented optical interface.


2001

EFOS BECOMES EXFO PHOTONIC SOLUTIONS INC.

EFOS is acquired by EXFO and soon becomes EXFO Photonic Solutions Inc. The name change was done to create a synergy around the services offered and to leverage EXFO's strong brand name recognition throughout the fiber-optic industry.

NOVACURE® 2100 WITH STEPCURE® LAUNCHES

The Novacure® 2100 is launched, the latest generation of powerful micro-processor controlled UV/Visible spot curing systems. With a StepCure® feature built in, the 2100 provides up to four different UV irradiance levels within a single exposure.

ACTICURE UV/VISIBLE SPOT CURING SYSTEM LAUNCHES

The Acticure UV/Visible Spot Curing System is launched, offering customers a powerful and versatile area curing system, ideal for use in automated or manual precision assembly environments.


2002

ACTICURE 4000 UV/VISIBLE SPOT CURING LAUNCHES

The next generation of the Acticure System launches - the Acticure 4000 UV/Visible Spot Cure System. Ideal for automated and manual precision assembly environments, this system offers 2000 hours of lamp life. The new optional ACS 1000 Automated Control System adds PC control, as well as the ability to program StepCure® profiles within the system.

X-CITE® 120 ILLUMINATION SYSTEM LAUNCHES

Building on the success of the X-Cite® 50 System, the X-Cite® 120 Illumination System for Fluorescence Microscopy Applications is launched; a system that utilizes a 120-watt lamp to deliver rich spectral excitation with a more uniform field of view than conventional fluorescence illumination systems.

INTELLI-LAMP® TECHNOLOGY IS PATENTED

The Intelli-Lamp® is a special component to our pre-aligned, long life, broad spectral lamps. Intelli-Lamp® technology monitors accumulated lamp hours and automatically maintains optimum operating conditions leading to stable lamp output and longer lamp life.


2003

OMNICURE® CURE RING RADIOMETER LAUNCHES

The OmniCure® Cure Ring Radiometer is launched to address the need within the manufacturing industy for radiometry closer to the actual cure site, and in applications where the irradiated surface is not flat.

OMNICURE® S1000 LAUNCHES

The OmniCure® S1000 UV Bonding System is launched, a new spot-curing platform that simplified the user interface while making the system more robust. The compact footprint and large variety of optical accessories make this product the most versatile spot curing system on the market.

BURLEIGH® PCS-6000 LAUNCHES

The Burleigh® PCS-6000 Micromanipulator for electrophysiology research is launched, adding motorized long travel and greater interface functionality to the popular PCS-5000 design. This enhanced system grants the user total control, providing maximum productivity in patch-clamp experiments.


2004

X-CITE® 120 PC COMPUTER CONTROLLED SYSTEM LAUNCHES

Continuing the momentum of the X-Cite® 120 system, the X-Cite® 120 PC Computer Controlled Fluorescence Illumination System is launched. This computerized system provides excellent image quality, lower operation costs and improved productivity.

OMNICURE® HIGH-POWER FIBER LIGHT GUIDE LAUNCHES

The OmniCure® High-Power Fiber Light Guide for Ultraviolet/Visible Spot-Curing systems is launched, providing 50% more power throughput than industry standard fiber guides, giving users greater flexibility in the curing process. The Light Guide also generates more power than standard multi-legged liquid light guides and eliminates the process of balancing.

OMNICURE® S2000 LAUNCHES: THE FLAGSHIP OF OUR ADHESIVE PHOTO-CURING PRODUCTS

Based on the success of the OmniCure® S1000, the OmniCure® S2000 UV/Visible Spot-Curing System is introduced, delivering repeatable cures with our Closed-Loop Feedback technology. When used with its sister product - the OmniCure® R2000 Radiometer - the Closed-Loop Feedback Control calibrates to NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) for absolute process control worldwide. With its versatile design, guaranteed life of 2000 hours, lower operation cost, and multiple lamp options, the OmniCure® S2000 sets the standard in the industry, and is the solution of choice for stand-alone applications or for elaborate automation systems via an advanced computer interface.

OMNICURE® R2000 RADIOMETER LAUNCHES

The OmniCure® R2000 Radiometer is launched as an optical accessory for measuring light energy from a UV/Visible Spot Curing System such as the OmniCure® S2000. Featuring a proprietary detector system for accurate wideband measurements and an optical interface that virtually eliminates beam-profile dependence; when used together the OmniCure® S2000 and OmniCure® R2000 Radiometer provide a complete curing system with unmatched control and repeatability.

BURLEIGH® PCS-4100 LAUNCHES

The PCS-4100 micromanipulator is launched and is the only micromanipulator in the world to include memory positions on the Z axis and both rotary stages.


2006

X-CITE® 120XL LAUNCHES

The X-Cite® 120XL Illumination System is launched, featuring excellent image quality and an additional 60% lamp life. The system is pre-aligned to make changing lamps fast and simple with a one-step process, with a much quieter operation than the previous model.


2008

X-CITE® exacte AND X-CITE® RADIOMETER LAUNCHES

Today, the X-Cite® family of Fluorescence Illuminators expands its portfolio with the addition of the X-Cite® exacte and the X-Cite® Radiometer. A product developed in close collaboration with researchers using quantitative and live cell imaging techniques, the X-Cite® exacte employs a DC-powered mercury lamp and Closed-Loop Feedback technology, to provide ultra-stable illumination. Combined with the X-Cite® Radiometer, light input can be calibrated in absolute power units, allowing truly repeatable quantitative fluorescence experiments.

EXCELERATE® SERIES AND EXCELERATE® PIN-100 LAUNCHES

Building on an extensive knowledge and expertise in light and photo-initiated chemical reactions, EXFO enters the digital print industry by launching a new product family - Excelerate®. The first product to be launched under the Excelerate® umbrella is the Excelerate® PIN-100; an LED based multiple array system for single-pass UV inkjet printing. The Excelerate® PIN-100 enables digital printers to enhance print quality and meet the exacting demands of the primary label market. With its small form factor, control features and configurability, the Excelerate® PIN-100 sets a new standard in pinning.

X-CITE® 120Q AND 120PC Q SYSTEMS LAUNCHES

Based on customer feedback indicating the need for a more comfortable working environment, improvements were made to the X-Cite® design to reduce acoustic noise without compromising performance, reliability and safety. Such improvements resulted in the production of the X-Cite® 120Q and 120PC Q - the quietest X-Cite® products ever!


2009

OMNICURE® LX300 LED UV SPOT CURING SYSTEM LAUNCHES

The OmniCure® LX300 LED UV Spot Curing System is launched, breaking new ground in UV curing for EXFO. Providing the highest power and most reliable 365nm LED technology currently available, this system has the option of full and half power operation, OmniCure®'s patented Intelli-Lamp® technology, a 10,000 hour head life guarantee and easy-to-use LED control display. The OmniCure® LX300 provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and versatile Spot Curing solution for applications suited to LED technology.

X-CITE® OPTICAL POWER MEASUREMENT SYSTEM LAUNCHES

X-Cite® introduces its newest innovation, the X-Cite® XR2100 Power Meter and the XP750 Objective Plane Power Sensor for fluorescence microscopy applications. The new XR2100 and XP750 allow researchers to measure the optical power where it matters the most - at the specimen level enabling consistent and repeatable illumination throughout their experiments. With its sleek low profile, designed specifically to fit on the microscope stage, the XP750 offers the versatility of measuring output from an X-Cite® illuminator or any other epi-fluorescence light source.


2010

OMNICURE® LX400 UV LED SPOT CURING SYSTEM LAUNCHES

The latest OmniCure® LX400 UV LED spot curing system offers ultimate flexibility in UV assembly applications for high-volume lean manufacturing environments. Utilizing the latest in UV LED technology, the OmniCure® LX400 is the most versatile, high performance, easy-to-use UV LED spot curing system that provides a maximum irradiance of 9,500mW/cm2 with a lifetime of over 20,000 hours. The LX400 offers a unique ability to control up to four UV LED heads simultaneously with a single connection or independently. Manufacturers are now able to use a single UV LED spot curing system for various UV assembly applications at the same time achieving higher levels of control while ensuring a lean and cost effective UV curing assembly process.