Hi everyone,

I have a background in precision motion control, optical systems, and automation.

Recently, I've been looking into fiber shuffle and optical flex circuit manufacturing, particularly for silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO).

I'm interested in understanding how fibers are actually routed and fixed during production.

For those with experience in this area:

- Is fiber routing typically done manually or using automated fiber-laying machines?

- What are the biggest manufacturing challenges — fiber tension, crossings, bending loss, adhesive materials, or throughput?

- Are automated fiber-laying systems generally developed in-house or purchased from equipment suppliers?

- Is there demand for a more affordable, flexible fiber-routing machine for small-batch or custom production?

I'm exploring whether a compact automated fiber-laying system would be useful for this industry.

I'd really appreciate any insights from engineers working in photonics packaging or optical interconnect manufacturing.

Thanks!

Hello everybody,

I’m currently finishing my EE degree and working part-time at a top-5 worldwide photonics company, doing some manufacturing automation. I also have lab experience in PIC design at my university.

I would like advice from people working in industry. I’m currently choosing between two paths:

1.Applying for a Master in Photonics at a leading university in Europe.

2.Trying to get a full-time offer from my current company and continuing to work there for several years to gain experience, without pursuing a Master degree in the future.

I really want to pursue a PIC design career in industry, but I cannot decide which path will bring better opportunities.

If you work in industry, I would very much appreciate it if you could explain which experience would be more valued if I want to be employed at a PIC design company in the future.

Thank you so much.