Question For Steve

[harry a saake]

Steve, two of the subjects we never see on the optiboard is anything about the manufacturing process of frames and lenses. I was wondering with all your connections if something like this could not be added to further the education of opticians.

[mullo]

Steve/Harry, I would like to see this too, if possible. It would serve as a great learning tool.................Mullo

[Steve Machol]

Even when I worked for a manufacturer I never saw any document of presentation that discussed the manufacturing process - at least not from the perspective of an Optician or layperson.

I do have some future plans to enhence the offerings on OptiBoard and this could certainly be on that list. Meanwhile maybe one of the current employess of these manufacturers may want to step up and offer to track something down for us. :)

[chip anderson]

There used to be (back in the days when Ralph Drew was alive), some short films that illustrated some of the manufacturing process. These were designed to impress one with all the steps the manufacturer went through (such as sand blasting) and somewhat to convice the retailer that he could never produce such a product.

I don't know but I was once or twice told that in order to obtain a license in Europe, particularly scandinadia, one had to cut from Zyl, a frame, and mount an Rx in a frame on the spot at the time of examination. Perhaps some of our European Optiboarders could contribute something here. I for one have always wanted to make a few high quality custom frames, and wanted a manufacturer who would listen to my ideas for some unique lines.

:cheers: Chip

[hcjilson]

Harry, I've forwarded this page to a friend of mine I just met in Anaheim. He represents a consortium of Italian frame manufaturers..I've invited him to join us in the Optiboard.If there's anything out there he'll know about it and point you in the right direction.

Chip......You keep reminding me of how old I am with your references to Ralph Drew!:) He was really something special.I've not heard anything about him for years, but I don't remember hearing of his passing.Is that confirmed?
best from harry j

[Jim G]

Ralph died August 13th, 1997. The world (not just optics) lost a true gentleman that day. His wife, Lois, "... (took) his ashes back to his beloved Wales...(to be scattered)...where his sisters are."

His last couple years were very difficult for Ralph as he had developed macular degeneration and could no longer read...a lifelong advocation. He would dictate to Lois who would transcribe his articles and correspondence. Through it all, he never lost his wonderful perspective and sense of humor.

[harry a saake]

As another one of those old timers who was fortunate enough to know Ralph personally, the real shame is that none of these lectures were taped. Until you have sat down and listened to one, with Ralphs sense of humor, you really have not heard a good lecture in optics. But then again we never bloody well thought he would pass on.

[sam hamadani]

Originally posted by harry a saake
Steve, two of the subjects we never see on the optiboard is anything about the manufacturing process of frames and lenses. I was wondering with all your connections if something like this could not be added to further the education of opticians.

Harry/Steve:

According to my experience manufacturing frames and lenses on a smaller scale is not a complicated job. There are a lot of individual Opticians already making them.

CR39 material can be melted and shaped to the desired curvatures then surfaced and polished. Machines are not that expensive but the final product comes out less competitive cost and quality wise. You can call Corning France rep for further details, as they are the largest manufacture of blank lenses of glass and other materials.

Making frames by hand is a very lucrative business. Most of the high-end Opticians make their own frames.
Zyl sheets come in a variety of color and luster. You design, make, polish and shine the front only. Temples, hinges and other decorative parts can be imported. It depends on how skillful you are and how much the client wants to pay you, you can make lot of money in this business. More investment is needed to make cheaper (cookie cutter products)
Metal materials come in wire and sheets; again if you design, make, shine and polish the front only will be profitable. You can add temples, hinges and other decorative materials or you can import it prefabricated to your order. Jewelers can always help you with their expertise as well if you want to add diamonds or other precious stones.

But if you really want to see how the frames are made you can attend the MIDO, SILMO or OPTICA. At these shows they always have demonstrations going on.
Otherwise go to Hong Kong, Korea or Taiwan they let you see it from very close if they know you are gonna place an order.

Thanks harry and Steve
Sam Hamadani

[Alan W]

When I studied in Europe back in 1970, I was required to create a frame from cellulose nitrate. That included grooving, carving, scaving and what not. I tumble polished the frames with woodchips and carnuba wax. I did a few metals in conjunction with Orifino Jewelers in Encino, California. They had the ability to create a jig, wax mold for customized stuff like mounting stones and pave, and stuff. , and gold solder.

We had the clientele which included Universal Studios. Made the frame used in Papallion. It was a little sucker that fit into a tube and got stuck up the actors you know what.
But, if there was anything I loved more than making frames from plastic, was from Tortoise Shell smuggled from Granada. That made me megabucks. The wife of the owner of a major alarm company sspent money on glasses like they were going out of style.

Funny, but the part we didn't get out of the smuggle went to the medical school there. Either that or it went to Neil DeVons restaurant on Cannery Row in Monteray, California. They had incredible turtle soup.
I loved making frames for profit. I hated making them in Germany to pass the test put on by Rodenstock Institute. You don't do second class work in that course.

Lamination was the most used method of burying hinges and temple cores. create the channel, insert the hinge or temple core (or any of the pieces called "findings" and slap a sheet of plastic over it. I am seriously oversimplifying this, but the memories are great. Now, of course, the rods get rammed in using an ultrasonic device. Laser is also a dominant tool nowadays.

The tools have changed a lot over the years in terms of technology innovation. But, when you have the old tools and know how to use them, you get some pretty snazzy results.

That's the ancient method. Of course, injection molding has evolved and produces a pretty good item. Most of the newer materials may be thermoinjected. I'm not pretending to be an expert. It's been too long and not enough demand, but I have made some pretty nice bank deposits from custom frame design and fabrication.

Now back to Millionaire!

[Alan W]

I loved the man.
We were well acquainted.
I took Ralph on his first tour through a Lenscrafters Store. It was under construction in Anaheim, Ca.
Ralphs jaw had to be glued back on.
He said: "This is the future. "
No kidding.

[Darryl Meister]

By the way, there is actually a nice book on spectacle frames, which describes many of the materials and manufacturing processes.

"Spectacle Frames and their Dispensing" by Obstfeld and published by Saunders.

Best regards,
Darryl