At the PIC International conference in Brussels, Al Cheswick, President of Krell Technologies, offered valuable insights into the evolution of photonic processing and how KrellTech is shaping its product development around the growing needs of the PIC (Photonic Integrated Circuit) industry. 

Company Background and Experience 

Krell Technologies, based in New Jersey, has over 30 years of experience in the photonics and optics space. As one of the more established companies exhibiting at the show—surrounded by startups and emerging ventures—KrellTech brings deep industry knowledge and proven engineering to the table. 

Initially focused on the telecom and datacom sectors, the company has since expanded into new markets like medical devices, where high-precision optical processing is essential. This broadening of applications reflects KrellTech’s adaptability and forward-thinking design strategy. 

Adapting to the Needs of the PIC Market 

Over the past five years, KrellTech has increasingly aligned its efforts with the rapid rise of the PIC, waveguide, and fiber array industries. According to Cheswick, the company recognized a need for tools that offer both flexibility and precision—especially during a time when final device specifications are still being defined by researchers and early-stage manufacturers. 

NOVA™: Built for Flexibility and Scale 

KrellTech’s flagship solution, the NOVA™ polishing system, has been engineered specifically to address these challenges. Designed for both manual development and automated production, NOVA enables users to: 

This modular approach helps bridge the gap between university labs, startups, and large-scale production environments—all with one system. 

Preparing for the Industry’s Next Phase 

As Cheswick explains, much of the company’s current focus is on making its platforms scalable. With more PIC manufacturers moving from small batches to high-volume production, KrellTech is building equipment that can evolve alongside customer needs. 

Their systems prioritize: 

This positions KrellTech as a key enabler in the transition from development to deployment in next-generation PIC manufacturing. 

Full Transcript: Al Cheswick Interview at PIC International 

0:00 
So we're here on day two of PIC International. 
0:01 
It's getting towards the end of Day 2. 
0:03 
Now we're here at the KrellTech booth. 
0:05 
So do you wanna tell us a little bit about KrellTech? 
0:07 
Yes, I'll start. 
0:08 
My name is Al Cheswick. 
0:09 
I'm the President of Krell Technologies. 
0:12 
We're based in New Jersey, about an hour from New York City. 
0:17 
We've been in business for over 30 years. 
0:20 
So in a way, that makes us one of the more established companies at the show. Many of the others are startups or newer companies. 
0:27 
We've been in the photonics and optics business for quite a while and our products reflect that experience. 
0:37 
Originally, we focused on the telecom and datacom markets—our primary targets for sales. 
0:45 
But over time, those became more commodity-type products, and we wanted to address more advanced applications. 
0:52 
So we expanded from basic patch cords and cable assemblies to new industries—especially medical optics, where precision is vital. 
1:11 
In the past five years, the PIC, waveguide, and fiber array sectors have grown significantly, and we wanted to grow with them. 
1:24 
We developed our NOVA polishing machine to offer the flexibility needed during this developmental phase—where specs are still being defined and customized processing is critical. 
1:47 
Our machines support multiple modes. 
1:49 
You can use manual mode to develop a process. 
1:53 
Then, once developed, it can be transferred to programmable mode for streamlined technician-level operation. 
2:06 
Our customer base now includes newer PIC manufacturers and university research labs developing next-generation technologies. 
2:18 
They need full flexibility—but eventually, they’ll settle into standardized manufacturing processes. 
2:25 
So we’ve made our platforms scalable. 
2:29 
You can start in R&D mode and scale up to larger-volume manufacturing—a key focus for us over the next few years. 
2:48 
Our systems are designed with the performance specs, flexibility, and accuracy needed to support this transition. 
3:00 
Perfect. 
3:01 
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today—hope you've had a great show. 

Learn More 

If you're developing or manufacturing photonic integrated circuits, waveguides, or optical interconnect devices, KrellTech’s NOVA™ system is built to support your process from early-stage R&D to high-volume production. 

🎤 Watch the full interview 
🔍 Explore the NOVA™ Polishing System 
📩 Contact us at sales@krelltech.com