The Optics Launchpad
Unlock the skills that power America’s most advanced industries.
Your free, expert-led gateway to a career in precision optics manufacturing.
From aerospace and semiconductors to life-saving medical tech — it all starts with light.
American Center for Optics Manufacturing (AmeriCOM) provides free, expert-led training designed to take you from the basics to the cutting edge.
Powered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
New to the field? Launch your career with our foundational courses.
Our Goal is Simple
Precision optics and photonics power modern technology, but the industry is at a crossroads: we need more skilled technicians. We’re closing that gap by putting foundational training in your hands through free, expert-led online courses. To help you master the craft, our national network of college partners offers the hands-on experience and specialized degrees you need to succeed. We offer the roadmap; you build a career that is both future-proof and cutting-edge.
Getting Started.
Introductory Courses for the Aspiring Technician.
OPTICS SHOP MATH
Everything you need to know. Nothing you don’t.
Forget the abstract equations from high school. This course is designed specifically for the shop floor. We’ve distilled the essential math required to be a successful optics technician—from understanding tolerances and decimals to mastering the geometry behind lens curvature. Gain the confidence to measure, calculate, and create with total precision.
OPTICS FUNDAMENTALS
Every expert started exactly where you are.
This course is the “Ground Floor” of the AmeriCOM Launch Pad. We take you through the absolute basics: the properties of light, the types of glass used in industry, and the essential tools of the trade. By the end of this course, you’ll have the vocabulary and the vision to step confidently into a precision optics environment.
OPTICS SHOP & SYSTEMS
From Raw Glass to Precision Component.
Ever wonder how a block of glass becomes a high-powered laser lens? This course demystifies the manufacturing cycle. We provide a comprehensive overview of shop equipment and the essential processes—grinding, smoothing, and polishing. It’s your orientation to the technology and techniques that define the daily life of a precision optics technician.
Level Up Your Craft.
Advanced Courses for the Modern Technician.
Optics Shop Math: Practical Math Skills
OPAL-TEC OER Light & Lasers
Lenses and How Light Behaves
Materials and Light: Understanding Optical Propagation
CNC Polishing in Precision Optics Manufacturing
Advanced Interferometry
Material Handling and Optical Glass Basics
Introduction To Metrology
Fundamentals of Light & Lasers
College Partner Network
Hands-on workshops, short courses, and degree programs across the United States—built to help you master optics manufacturing in the real world.
