The Working groups deal in a concrete
manner with the problems encountered
in the profession and carry out collective activities
for the members,
These Working Parties, for which GIFO provides co-ordination,
are comprised of directors and executives of member
companies
In the Photonics area
Precision Optics / Photonics Working
Group
Promotion and Communication Working Group
Professional Training Working Group
Business Intelligence
In the ophthalmic area
Ophthalmic Optics working group
PHOTONICS
AREA
Precision Optics / Photonics Technical Working Group
Objectives
To encourage the free flow of technical information
between manufacturers
To bring member companies and research laboratories
closer together with a view to collaborating on shared
issues
To monitor technological trends and innovations
To help with standardisation procedure in conjunction
with AFNOR - CEN - ISO agenciesGIFO actively participates
in standardisation work both for drawing up specific
French norms and in the preparation of international
ISO norms.
This work is co-ordinated on the French level by the
Commission 26 'Precision Optics' of the U.N.M. (Union
de Normalisation de la Mécanique).
Operations
Visits to manufacturers and research labs
Publication of catalogues
Specific research projects : optical cleaning, thin
film coatings, etc..
Promotion and Communication Working Group
Objectifs
:
To promote members'interests in France and abroad-
to boost exports and activities worldwide
to encourage exchanges between Industry and Research
to run publicity drives for its members.
Operations
:
Organisation of joint trade stands/information centres
in France and abroad
Promotional support, e.g.
Website for all members : http://www.gifo.org
publicity in optical trade publications
collaboration and exchanges with Optics centres throughout
France
organisation of open days featuring optics Research
and Industry.
Each year GIFO participates in several international
trade fairs, both in France and abroad.
In France the group has regularly participated in
the OPTO exhibition since 1982.
GIFO also disposes of information stands at the following
events :
GIFO sponsors the seminars organised by the Société
Française d'Optique.
Abroad, GIFO is regularly present in Germany where
it has been participating since their inception in
the following events :
OPTATEC in Frankfurt
LASER in Munich.
Professional Training
Working Group
In collaboration with manufacturers, this party is
specifically charged with ensuring
the development of programme content in educational
establishments and engineering schools so that general
training is appropriate to companies' specific requirements,
and evolves alongside new technology.
Objectives
To serve as an interface between Education and Industry
at all training levels
Operations
Meetings organised between representatives from the
worlds of Education and
Industry
Involvement meetings on career advice
Updating of syllabies
Regular updating of the directory of Optics training
establishments.
Business Intelligence
At the request of its members, A.F.O.P. has set up
a special committee to monitor the emergence of new
technologies in the optics and photonics industries.
Objectives
:
To pinpoint future markets and highlight new technologies
To help manufacturers design and position ther products
Operations
A general catalogue featuring 235 French optical
research laboratories (available on the web) to encourage
technology transfer
Help with the fundings available to companies wishing
to launch innovative projects
a weekly bulletin featuring the bids for tender published
in the B.O.A.M?P. and the J.O.C.E
a monthly bulletin of the new technologies available
worldwide
specific research projects instigated by members.
OPHTHALMIC AREA
Eyewear
Optics Committee
This committee is charged in particular with the following
missions :
Definition and execution of technological projects
in the spectacle trade (new materials and manufacturing
processes).
Promotion of the French spectacle trade in France
and abroad in the context of a global communication
strategy through the organisation of group stands
at international exhibitions (Germany, USA, Italy,
Hong Kong etc.)
Follow up of the development of European directives
and representation of the industry with regard to
administrations responsible for the application of
directive 89/686 on individual protection equipment
( in particular sun glasses ) and directive 93/42
on medical plans.
Commissions are charged with preparing,
on behalf of the industry, propositions intended for
development ( by the AFNOR ) of French norms on : lenses
and surface coatings, optical frames and sun glasses.
Close contact with the unions and members
of the EUROM is assured, in order to prepare work
carried out by the international standardisation organisations
: the CEN and the ISO.
The same steps apply in the area
of individual eye protection
