Technology Tracker

Staying with the Curve

New generations of finishing equipment keep up with industry trends, and can even provide ECPs with a leg up during hard economic times

By Susan P. Tarrant

Among ECPs dealing with flat business and a seemingly ever-depressing national economic future, many are turning to something that will not only cut their lab costs, but will also add a dimension to their customer service: in-house edging.

Though they are doing so cautiously, many practice managers are looking to either upgrade their existing in-house lab or jump into edging for the first time.

What they are looking for, equipment reps tell us, is equipment that presents an affordable way to finish today's popular lenses for the most popular eyewear. In short, they're choosing equipment that doesn't break the bank account by offering features the ECPs don't need, and that can keep up with eyewear trends while still keeping the finishing process as easy as possible.

Here's a rundown of the some of the most recent edging products.

THE HIGHER BASE OF BEVELING

When Santinelli International premiered its Lex 1000 lens edger, it featured a patented beveling process that could handle lenses with high-base curves. Based on the positive reaction from ECPs who used the process, the company has added high-base curve technology to its ME-1000 Design+ lens edger and the DE-9090 Express+ industrial lens edger.

The technology offers the best possible bevel profile for high-curved lenses by processing the front and back bevel independently. All three edgers can create a custom bevel to accommodate even the most challenging, high-wrap style. This process creates a custom-profiled bevel around the circumference of the lens, resulting in precise beveling and a better fit.

Contact: 800-644-3343 or www.santinelli.com.

BIG EDGER, DELICATE LENSES

Satisloh has released the ES-4 edging system, designed for a central lab operation for a chain or multi-office practice. Featuring industrial-grade housing and components, the ES-4 also features a reduced shaft diameter and a proprietary blocking chuck that allows the equipment to edge delicate lenses and lenses with B measurements down to 18mm.

Satisloh's ES-4 edging system is designed for chains or multi-office practices

Adding to its versatility is the in-edger variable angle drilling capability, which allows the machine to automatically calculate the optimal drilling angle to produce the most effective mounting position.

The Maxima Evolution from AIT Industries can keep wrap frame jobs in-house

Satisloh has also incorporated linear drive motors to significantly increase the edger's processing speed. The new edger has the company's non-contact measuring system, featuring an integrated CCD camera system that detects and evaluates the dispersed light of a laser beam while intelligent software identifies the lens edge profile for precise tool positioning. Without a probe-style measuring system, there are no damaged lenses or measuring inconsistencies.

Contact: 262-255-6001 or www.satisloh.com.

THE WRAP EVOLUTION

AIT Industries has just released a new version of its Maxima Evolution series that allows ECPs to easily process wrap frames in their offices, thanks to a new diamond wheel configuration and machine.

It was created to answer the problem of consumers wanting wrap frame sunglasses with higher prescriptions. With other edgers, this might require additional handwork by the operator in order to properly fit the frame, resulting in more operator time and skill, an inferior finished product, or the ECP having to send the job out to a wholesale lab.

With the Maxima Evolution, according to AIT, an in-office lab can keep wrap frame jobs in-house and dispensaries can offer a wider range of product with a more timely delivery.

Contact: 800-729-1959 or www.aitindustries.com.

CUTTING EDGE FEATURES

According to several edging equipment company representatives, many of the latest versions of edging equipment boast features that are having a resoundingly positive response from practice managers. Here's what is keeping edging moving right now. 1 AFFORDABILITY: Several equipment companies are offering versions of their high-end products with features that ECPs need to stay competitive, but with fewer bells and whistles and non-value-added features. This allows ECPs the choice of products that can meet their needs without adding unnecessarily to the final price. Many companies are also offering special pricing to further entice customers. 2 PATIENT SERVICE: Tough economic times call for creativity and aggressiveness, and that means offering customers something different to get a leg up on the competition. Quick turn-around, better quality control, and fewer limits on what kind of lenses can be processed are all reasons why in-house finishing increases customer service and makes a practice more profitable. 3 HIGH-WRAP LENSES: The lenses are intensely popular for sunglasses, sport eyewear, or regular prescription use. New edgers eliminate the need for ECPs to send high-wrap jobs out to the lab. High-base curves used to be extra challenging on in-house edgers (the beveling was difficult and often compromised by the curve, resulting in a deformation of the shape), but new technology on some machines has addressed the problem and allows for complete bevel control and perfect placement and fit. The Briot Alta SX finishing system has a touch-screen interface and a compact tracing, centering, and blocking unit 4 COATINGS: Lens technology continues to evolve, and edgers used to have problems with the hydrophobic and super hydrophobic coatings. The newest versions of edgers have technology in place to ensure tight grips with less slippage, and soft-grind modes that avoid damage to the coating. 5 EASE OF USE: Automation is still a driving force for edgers' popularity. Push-of-a-button operation is vital, with ECPs using regular staffers (or themselves) to run the equipment. Tricky placements and complex calculations are now all done by the equipment. 6 SPEED AND ACCURACY: Everybody wants it done fast, as that means less man (or woman) hours in the lab. And everybody wants accuracy, for obvious technical and optical reasons, but also to reduce spoilage. 7 FLEXIBILITY: With ever-changing lens styles and shapes, edgers have had to become very flexible in their processing capabilities. Yes, they have to be able to drill, handle every lens material and every coating, and be able to handle a variety of lens shapes, sizes, and base curves without sacrificing grooving and beveling accuracy or fit.

EASY DOES IT

In the spirit of making edging lenses easier and more affordable to all practices comes the Alta SX finishing system from Briot USA.

The Alta SX features a tracing, centering, and blocking unit that is even more compact and innovative in design than earlier models. It features a comprehensive touch screen interface to manage all function of the unit. A high-resolution optical screen and zoom function make centering easier. It has an easy-to-navigate shape library, and "magic blue" illumination to make it easy to center and block even polarized lenses.

Topcon/ODI's Ultima 5100 series of finishing systems features all-material edging

When paired with the Alta NX edger, the Alta SX system allows for the same accuracy and ease of use as the company's higher-end XL system but at an affordable price point.

Contact: 800-292-7468 or www.briot-usa.com.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Topcon/ODI's Ultima 5100 series of finishing systems is available in three different options to best serve the individual needs of the ECP.

All three options feature all-material edging, Diamond Luster™ polishing, and a large, color LCD screen with an easy-to-use Windows®-format operating system.

ECPs can choose from the entry-level model or the SG model, adding safety beveling and grooving, or finally the higher-speed XP with Cosmetic Beveling™ and a "roll and polish" feature, which reduces the thickness associated with higher myopic lenses. All three can be integrated with Topcon's DS-5000 Integrated Blocking System, which automatically displays the correct block position on any lens.

National Optronics 7E HLP edger provides a premium, high-luster finish

Contact: 888-551-2020 or www.topconmedical.com.

EDGING'S NEW GROOVE

The newest edger from National Optronics, the 7E HLP, answers the need for improved features that match today's lens requirements. Its new Hi Luster Polish provides a premium, high-luster finish on all plastic, high-index, Trivex, and polycarbonate lenses. The edger's NuGroove feature is a completely redesigned technology that provides clean grooves on any lens shape, particularly sharp-cornered or small-eyed lenses, without widening.

The release of this new edger is in answer to two critical needs of ECPs wishing to enhance their in-office capabilities: to provide a higher luster polish and a beautiful, straight groove on any lens.

Contact: 800-247-9796 or www.nationaloptronics.com.

FINISHING MADE SIMPLE

Gerber Coburn's Kappa CTD Series Finishing System, the latest addition to the Kappa product family, does away with non-value-added functions and ramps up its automated functions to make the entire lens finishing process efficient, accurate, and—most important of all—easy. The system consists of the Kappa CT Tracer and Blocker, and the Kappa CTD Edger and Drill.

Gerber Coburn's Kappa CTD Series Finishing System features intelligent centering technology

With the tracer/blocker's intelligent centering technology, the most complicated part of edging is reduced to a simple touch of a button. Automatic binocular tracing enables a complete frame trace, including the DBL measurement and frame groove profile, in seconds. Shape modification software enables ECPs to provide custom mounts for their patients and optimally suited lens shapes for precise fitting.

The edger can handle all lens materials, edge-polished bevels, and flats with the speed and accuracy necessary for a busy practice. Features such as automatic and custom bevel selections, precise grooving, a special cycle for fragile or AR-coated lenses, and a simple, one-step drilling function makes for easy, accurate, and efficient lens finishing.

The Kappa CTD integrates the most critical lens finishing functions into a system that does exactly what practice managers need it to do.

Contact: 800-843-1479 or www.gerbercoburn.com. EB