ANAHEIM, Calif. -- OFC 2002 -- Katsina Optics, founded in May 2000, announced today the company's entry into the Fiber Optic Automation and Test market with the launch of their initial product lines. Katsina's component test technology provides the basis for their modular KCT-2100 Passive Component Test System, which features an automated bare fiber handling capability and is specifically designed for the volume production environment. Katsina is also introducing a line of Automated Workstations, built around a proprietary high-speed robotic system, for sub-micron optical fiber positioning, alignment and component assembly. "Today we are seeing more conservative growth projections for component demand, and increasing emphasis on cost and productivity in manufacturing," said Olu Atanda, CEO and Co-founder of Katsina Optics. "This in turn is making automated assembly and test an area of major focus for the Photonics industry As production moves away from manual assembly toward full automation, the immediate need of high-volume manufacturing companies is semi-automation. Katsina's equipment supports component production all the way from a stand-alone tester for R&D and product development through semi- and full-automation turning out thousands of parts and assemblies per day." Katsina Optics For more information on OFC 2002, please visit: www.nottheofc.com