Trade association IPC in Northbrook, Ill., has appointed a steering committee, which will be chaired by Randy Heyler of Newport Corp., to direct the efforts of its Photonics Manufacturing Association Council. Committee member David Bergman, from IPC, said that the advisory group will look at how the trade association can support the photonics industry.The primary objective is to lower the overall costs to help implement the technology, Bergman said. "We are the oil that helps facilitate the gears. The companies that participate set the agenda."The first focus will be to establish priorities for standardization. The group will draw from some 150 volunteers representing about 70 companies to create a subcommittee for standards development. Two standards are already in the works, he said, a technical overview of optoelectronics manufacturing and a review of fiber-handling specifications.The steering committee also will spearhead road mapping, legislative, market research and educational efforts. The point, Bergman said, is to "get industry working together to help focus on commonalities of interest."