The best microscope made by Jena‘s Carl Zeiss Company cost 127 thalers in 1871. One year later, one had to pay 387 thalers for the top microscope. There was a good reason for this price increase: From that point of time, the construction of the company´s latest models was completely based on Professor Abbe`s theoretical calculations. None of the competitive products were able to keep up with the quality of Zeiss microscopes. Despite the high price, the systems were sold in large numbers, the turnover increased and Jena´s people realized that reproducible precision was a formula for success in the business.

A great variety of companies from the precision engineering sector are located in Jena today. They offer various products and services ranging from mechanics to optics and electronics up to electrical systems in order to put the reproducibility of
technological processes into effect. The foundations for practical application and economical success are theoretical research and knowledge – just as for Abbe and Zeiss.

Many companies in Jena join or have emerged from the traditional line-up of optical technologies. Other newly founded companies contribute competences in demand with their fields of activities. Constructors of devices can be sure to find many suppliers necessary to develop, manufacture and sell their products to the world with the label ´made in Jena` within the city boundaries. Jena´s networks make a significant contribution. They help accelerate the proceedings of establishing contacts between different actors and offer a professional platform for
discussions and mutual projects.

Jena is home to the professional BVMW section “Precision from Jena”. It pools companies in and around Jena working in the fields of optical, technical and precision engineering and neighboring sectors. This professional section encourages cooperation, organizes expert conferences and workshops and supports
the networking of its members. Not least, it consistently implements various marketing projects in order to put the fields of activities of the local companies on the world´s technological map.

Companies located in Jena will find fully-fledged employees in Jena’s two universities, for instance among the graduates of the Institute of Materials Science and Technology and the Faculty for Physics and Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University. The University of Applied Sciences Jena offers eligible employees
with its SciTec Department combining precision, physics and materials engineering as well as with its Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Jena´s professional schools and continuing educational institutions support companies in the training of future experts as well.

Competencies from various fields of precision engineering come
together in Jena. Business activities include:

• Mechanical constructions, optical design, CAD, software
• Electronic design, assembly manufacturing and installation;
chip design and opto-electronics; PCB-service
• CNC milling, lathes, machining, grinding; wire-cut EDM, highspeed
mills, sheet metal forming
• Drive and gear system technology; servo drives, mechatronic
systems; piezoelectric drives
• Micro technology , micro- and nano-positioning
• Industrial coatings, wet coating, powder coating, electroplating,
mechanical surface treatments
• Linear and rotatory measuring
• Vacuum components and measuring technology
• Adapting equipment, transformers
• Mould construction, processing of plastic materials, rapid
prototyping,
• Joining, adhesive and welding technology

• Tool manufacturing, special-purpose machine construction,prototype construction
• Control and automation engineering
• Industrial markings such as mechanical and laser engraving;
digital, screen and pad printing
• Serial production and installation of electronic, optical and
mechanical assemblies and devices
• Quality management, measuring and testing technologies,
documentation