Labratories - Which blank are you using for Free-Form

[fcvc]

Hey everyone,

We are on the verge of entering the Free-form market.

We have decided on a generator, a new lab software, free-form software, and even priced an engraving machine.

The biggest issue I am facing is deciding on a lens supplier. The software vendor we have chosen is not one of the big lens designers out there (Shamir, Seiko, Zeiss etc) so we can utilize any lens blank we like.

Is there a preferred blank that labs like to use?

Can I get an unfinished blank (no coatings)?

Give me some ideas...Thanks.

[Jacqui]

Use the cheapest imports that you can, they really are just as good as the expensive ones for this. You can do your own coating, engaving, and printing to get what YOU want. Who is supplying your freeform software and what type of generator, etc. are you using?? PM me if you wish on this.

[johma01]

You should be able to use any blanks you want to, I have had great luck with Vision Ease(they are not even paying me to say so). As long as you have the engraver and can place the fitting cross on, you will be fine.

I am very interested in finding out more about your lab, software and equipment. We opened an all digital surfacing lab in January utililzing Loh equipment and Seiko software, it has been great.

[fcvc]

Thanks for the responses.

We currently use Essilor lenses for 90% of our applications.

For those of you who were curious about our structure and equipment, we currently have 9 clinics/dispensaries in Newfoundland and operate own our laboratory out of our headquarters to manufacture our own work.

We are currently running an SL2, but will be making the move to Digital surfacing within 6 months.

No concrete decisions have been made, but I am leaning towards a DAC generator, Optivision Lab Software, Crossbows Free-Form software and also trying to figure out my best solution for lens blanks (thus this question).

Anyone have any experience with Crossbows? DAC? Optivision? MyVisionExpress?

Please PM me your thoughts/experiences.

Thanks again,

Chris

[mahmoud.hamza]

Thanks for the responses.

We currently use Essilor lenses for 90% of our applications.

For those of you who were curious about our structure and equipment, we currently have 9 clinics/dispensaries in Newfoundland and operate own our laboratory out of our headquarters to manufacture our own work.

We are currently running an SL2, but will be making the move to Digital surfacing within 6 months.

No concrete decisions have been made, but I am leaning towards a DAC generator, Optivision Lab Software, Crossbows Free-Form software and also trying to figure out my best solution for lens blanks (thus this question).

Anyone have any experience with Crossbows? DAC? Optivision? MyVisionExpress?

Please PM me your thoughts/experiences.

Thanks again,

Chris

from my experience I can tell you that you have to choose one lab that make stabel blanks I meane the cuve must be the same in every LOTs
we we are using FreeForm blanks from THAI Thai optical groupe and we are really satisfied with there quality
good luck