eye on equipment
From Scratch: In-Office Finishing Costs
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC
ECPs running an in-office finishing lab reap ongoing profits by appealing to long-standing and new patients who seek premium products with faster turnaround time.
In-office finishing also eases lab costs and communication concerns ("when will we get the job back?"), and offers on-site control of production, quality, and profits.
If you're considering in-house finishing, start with a thorough analysis that answers all your cost questions. Above all, remember that in-office finishing is a long-term investment.
EQUIP IT
The costs listed throughout this article are for new equipment and supplies obtainable through standard optical suppliers such as equipment manufacturers and distributors.
Edger: New edgers today, depending on their capabilities and complexities, can run from less than $20,000 to over $60,000. A basic edger in the lower price range will likely feature edging, beveling, and polishing, while a low- to mid-price edger may also offer grooving.
The addition of blocking and/or tracing is the next step. An advanced edger will likely offer drilling. When pricing edgers, detail each feature and benefit and know that new technology available in most mid- to high-end edgers can help eliminate costs on separate ancillary equipment as well as cut down on space and operating requirements.
Lensometer: Manual lensometers cost approximately $700 to $1,000. Automatic lensometers start around $2,000 to $3,000. In the mid-price range—around $1,000—is a manual lensometer with a digital display, which allows operators to look at the target but see readings on the display.
Today's in-office finishing equipment offers easier, more efficient operations. Image courtesy of Santinelli International
Pupilometer: Costs for a digital pupilometer range from approximately $150 to $500.
Hand edger: Hand edgers have an average cost of $300 to $1,000.
Tinting unit: Tint systems vary in size and ability, from nine to six to three pans. Costs vary according to size and capability, including whether heat transfer fluid or water is used. Approximate costs start around $500 and can go to about $900. A gradient device can cost from around $350 to $425.
Frame adjustment device: A bead pan or hot air warmer typically costs from $100 to $400, and prices vary according to the modality. Hot air warmers are usually less costly than bead pans.
Ultrasonic cleaning unit: Keep eyewear sparkling clean for approximately $150 to $600.
UV meter: Costs vary considerably depending on device complexities and capabilities. A standard UV meter for dispensary use may run around $300 to $500.
Pattern maker: If your edger isn't patternless, you may need a pattern maker, which is easy to use and helps cut down pattern storage space. A pattern maker can also help you process patients' own frame jobs and custom lens shapes. Approximate cost is $700 to $900.
Blocker: Blockers run the gamut from intelligent to manual to CAD, and may or may not be part of the edger. Blockers can also be combined with tracers and other lab management systems.
If not included with the edger, layout blockers cost approximately $600 to $800 to start, with costs available by request from equipment manufacturers/distributors.
Tracing with a touch of the hand. Image courtesy of Briot USA
| SUPPLY IT |
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| It's about more than the edger. Consider all new equipment costs when setting up your lab, from pliers to software. Here are some cost breakdowns on the extras. TOOL KIT/HAND TOOLS: With handy storage (e.g., a magnetic bar), start-up dispensary toolkits are available for around $2,500 to $3,250. Finishing lab start-up kits are also offered for about $2,700 to $3,500. PARTS AND REPAIR KIT: A useful parts and repair kit includes nose pads, screws, and other eyewear maintenance and repair necessities. A complete start-up kit can cost around $800. OTHER LAB SUPPLIES: Beads for the bead pan cost around $15 to $50, depending on small or large bead size. Replacement/additional tint wands can run $25 each. Ultrasonic cleaning liquid runs around $30 to $50 a bottle. Consider tools like lens clocks, calipers, and PD rulers (usually available in packages), and ancillary items to have on hand, such as batteries and bulbs. DRILL BITS: Assorted drill bits can be purchased as a set for around $60. CUTTING TOOLS, BLADES, AND REPLACEMENT WHEELS: Wheels, including roughing, finishing, and polishing wheels, cost approximately $300 to $500 apiece. Carbide cutters and blades run around $60 each. TINT UNIT CHEMICALS: This includes dyes, heat transfer fluid, if necessary, neutralizer, and UV. Some companies offer starter kits with the purchase of a tint unit for around $60 to $100. BLOCKS: Plastic and/or metal blocks vary in price, but are around $20 to $50 for five to 25 blocks. PADS: Buffing pads run from around $5 to $60. Blocking pads run approximately $30 to $250 a roll, depending on capabilities (i.e., super hydrophobic-oleophobic processing ability). PATTERN BLANKS: If you're making your own patterns, pattern blanks run around $30 for a bag of 50 pattern blanks. TRAYS: Job trays cost around $50 for 15 trays. Costs can vary depending on tray durability and usage requirements. |
Tracer: If tracing is not part of your edger capabilities and you choose to trace-and-transmit, you'll require a separate tracer. Tracers, like blockers, vary in cost depending on capabilities. Prices are available from equipment suppliers.
Groover: If your edger doesn't include a groover, you'll need to obtain an automatic lens groover. The approximate cost is $500 to $1,000.
Polisher: If your edging unit doesn't include a polisher, a separate polishing unit can cost from approximately $200 to $2,000. Make sure the polisher can polish all the lens materials you work with or plan on working with in the future, and that it can polish rimless or beveled edges. There are also wet and dry options.
Drill: If your edging unit doesn't include a drill, and you want to process rimless work in-office, you'll need a rimless drill. Costs run from approximately $200 to $2,500 and up depending on multifunctional features. EB
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