IRVINE, Calif. -- In a move designed to solidify the company sleadershipposition in the advanced packaging equipment market, Newport Corporation(NASDAQ:NEWP) announced today the recent installation of its new automated LaserSolderingSystem at Flextronics Photonics, a business unit of Flextronics (NASDAQ:FLEX) inOregon, USA. The installation marks the delivery of the industry s firstcommerciallyavailable automated laser soldering system, a milestone in next-generationassemblyautomation systems technology for photonics components. Newport is theexclusiveprovider for all fiber optic alignment and attachment systems forFlextronicsPhotonics on a global basis.Developed from proven fiber-coupling and solder attachment processesrecentlyacquired from Flextronics, Newport has engineered a standardized platformforautomating key fiber-optics packaging processes that have beenTelcordia-qualifiedfor numerous applications. Device manufacturers have been interested inthistechnology for many years because of the lower material costs and smallerformfactors associated with soldering versus welding. However, until now nocommerciallyavailable standardized solution has been available. Additionally, Newport s automated Laser Soldering System offersoutstandingadvantages over equivalent laser-welding technologies, including lowersystem cost,faster fiber attachment cycle time, higher yields and thus lower overallcomponentmanufacturing cost. When used in conjunction with Newport-provided packagedesign andprocess development services, this critical assembly process can beperformed withgreater-than 95% yield.In making the announcement, Kevin Crofton, Vice President and GeneralManager ofNewport s Advanced Packaging and Automation Systems Division (APAS), said:"Newportcontinues to expand its leadership position in the advanced packagingequipmentmarketplace with the commercialization of this dynamic technology, whichdrivescommercial fiber optic component manufacturing a generation ahead. Thisinstallationis also testimony to our ability to rapidly develop and deploy new process technologies in our standardized platforms."Newport Corp.Flextronics Corp.