Anyone offering pre-engraved lenses

**fcvc** · 12-10-2008, 07:30 AM

Hey Everyone,

We are about to enter the free-form progressive market and I am looking for a lens supplier to provide pre-engraved lenses.

I understand the most companies only offer these lenses with their free-form software and designs, but I'm wondering if there are other suppliers selling the lens blanks only.

I am not sure how many free form progressives we will sell in the first few years, and I don't want to purchase a $100K engraver to sit on the floor.

Thanks,
CG

**mahmoud.hamza** · 12-10-2008, 08:36 AM

you need freeform semi finished blanks engreived .??

**fcvc** · 12-10-2008, 08:39 AM

That is my understanding of the process. The semi-finished blanks must have the add power markings engraved in them.

Am I wrong?

**chip anderson** · 12-10-2008, 08:42 AM

I think he wants patient's initials engraved in them for cosmetics.

**mahmoud.hamza** · 12-10-2008, 08:44 AM

the freform lenses are made from SV semi finished
so you need to have a lazer machine that you use to engrave lenses after making the surfacing process
the engraving must be in the back side Of the lens

**Jacqui** · 12-10-2008, 08:48 AM

As far as I know, no one offers pre-engraved lens blanks. There are two options, buy an engraver or contract it out to another lab. This could be a good business for someone to start.

**fcvc** · 12-10-2008, 08:48 AM

Actually,

after speaking with some industry people and doing more research I discovered that you can purchased the semi-finished blanks with the engravings already in the lens.

My understanding is that the engravings are required to block and surface the lens and that the marks are used to identify the area where the add power will be surfaced.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but I thought I had done my homework.

**Jacqui** · 12-10-2008, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by fcvc

Actually,

after speaking with some industry people and doing more research I discovered that you can purchased the semi-finished blanks with the engravings already in the lens. .

Where?? PM me if you want.

Originally Posted by fcvc

My understanding is that the engravings are required to block and surface the lens and that the marks are used to identify the area where the add power will be surfaced. .

You are right, the engraveing and ink markings are needed.

Originally Posted by fcvc

Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but I thought I had done my homework.

You're doing good so far. :D

**mahmoud.hamza** · 12-10-2008, 08:54 AM

the semi finished engraved Lens you can found but you need to enrgave the ADD in the lens when you finish to surface it

**fcvc** · 12-10-2008, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

Where?? PM me if you want.

You're doing good so far. :D

OLA 2008 - Won't say who I was speaking with, but this person basically told me I didn't need to buy an engraver. He said I could get my Free-form software along with the pre-engraved blanks from the same company. I may actually contact that company today.

**mahmoud.hamza** · 12-10-2008, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by fcvc

OLA 2008 - Won't say who I was speaking with, but this person basically told me I didn't need to buy an engraver. He said I could get my Free-form software along with the pre-engraved blanks from the same company. I may actually contact that company today.

but how will you enrave the add ????

**fcvc** · 12-10-2008, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by mahmoud.hamza

the semi finished engraved Lens you can found but you need to enrgave the ADD in the lens when you finish to surface it

If you are referring to the progressive marks required for edging, then you don't need to engrave these. Once the lens has been surfaced, the power is in the lens. You need to identify where the add power is in relation to the RX but these markings can be put on the lens via ink stamp.

We actually have a TECO ink machine for replacement of progressive markings after coating (prior to edging).

**mahmoud.hamza** · 12-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by fcvc

If you are referring to the progressive marks required for edging, then you don't need to engrave these. Once the lens has been surfaced, the power is in the lens. You need to identify where the add power is in relation to the RX but these markings can be put on the lens via ink stamp.

We actually have a TECO ink machine for replacement of progressive markings after coating (prior to edging).

but the add tell you if the lens is Left Or right and after that the wearer can know his add and you can promote your product by puting a logo on your lenses !!

**fcvc** · 12-10-2008, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by mahmoud.hamza

but the add tell you if the lens is Left Or right and after that the wearer can know his add and you can promote your product by puting a logo on your lenses !!

There are definitely benefits to having an engraving machine, but they are $100K. If we produce less than 100 pairs of free-form per year, then the benefits do not outweigh the cost.

The ink printing machine we have now works very well for adding the required progressive marks for edging and does have a left and right stamp.

One thing I neglected to mention is that we are not a wholesale lab. Therefore we finish most of what we surface. The markings we re-apply after coating are used by our edging technicians to edge and fit the lenses.

I have emailed one of the companies that was identified as a software and pre-engraved lens supplier. I will update this post when I have more information.

**mahmoud.hamza** · 12-10-2008, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by fcvc

There are definitely benefits to having an engraving machine, but they are $100K. If we produce less than 100 pairs of free-form per year, then the benefits do not outweigh the cost.

The ink printing machine we have now works very well for adding the required progressive marks for edging and does have a left and right stamp.

One thing I neglected to mention is that we are not a wholesale lab. Therefore we finish most of what we surface. The markings we re-apply after coating are used by our edging technicians to edge and fit the lenses.

I have emailed one of the companies that was identified as a software and pre-engraved lens supplier. I will update this post when I have more information.

in this case you can ask the seller Of the semifinished that he made an enrgraving to you with your logo if you want and no need to have R or L lens add engraved

**ayoco** · 12-10-2008, 10:22 AM

how many would you buy and what materials?

**AdmiralKnight** · 12-10-2008, 02:56 PM

You could just not bother. The Seiko Supercede doesn't have the add engraved onto the lenses. I don't personally like that, but it's just a thought.

**Fezz** · 12-10-2008, 03:59 PM

AYOCO,

Maybe you should review the posting guidelines!

Optiboard is a public discussion forum. We are composed of eyecare professionals and the consuming public. In this regard, it is inappropriate to publish wholesale prices, or other propriatary information which might compromise the relationship between professionals and consumers. If you have questions of this nature, or information to provide, please use the Private Message system to ask the question or to diseminate the information. Posts containing pricing information deemed inappropriate, will be removed.