Manual focimeter or digital lensmeter fastest for dotting up blanks?

**Kid A** · 03-30-2009, 03:33 PM

Hi there, i've been working in an optical lab for about 6 weeks now and am looking for ways to save those precious seconds in the production process. For you lab techs out there who have to manually dot and block lenses, which is your preferred tool of the trade for getting the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible? I find with some prescriptions the digital lensmeter can struggle to find optical centres whereas the manual focimeter will make it clearly obvious. However i find the manual focimeter to be slightly more time consuming as you have to set the axis on both dials, adjust the power etc etc and with low cyl's it can be tricky bringing the sph/axis lines into focus - especially if they are slightly off.
I'm actually running the laboratory on my own so every second counts - any feedback at all is greatly appreciated.

**obxeyeguy** · 03-30-2009, 04:14 PM

B&L Model 70, once you master it, its the fastest and most accuate lensometer out there. JMHO

**Kid A** · 03-30-2009, 04:35 PM

So thats one vote for manual, i just wish i could operate mine a little quicker....
The clamp on mine is rubbish, minus prescription lenses tend to drop out too eaily (i have to stick a nidek chuck sticker on the clamp to combat this) and the arm often gets in the way of the pins just as i try to dot the lens, knocking the lens askew at that crucial moment. And the ink is crap as well!

**Jacqui** · 03-30-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by obxeyeguy

B&L Model 70, once you master it, its the fastest and most accuate lensometer out there. JMHO

Ditto :D With what you're doing, accuracy is far more important than speed.

**fjpod** · 03-30-2009, 05:20 PM

We have tried a number of instruements. We've settled on a Tomey trooper automated lensometer.

**billmdee** · 03-31-2009, 01:20 AM

I also vote for the B&L 70 I can spot a lens much quicker with that than our Auto Lensometer.

**Chris Ryser** · 03-31-2009, 02:34 AM

That is still the most accurate and a few seconds more should not affect a good job done.

**Diane** · 03-31-2009, 08:06 AM

B&L 70 is by far the best and most accurate instrument around.

Diane

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 03-31-2009, 08:10 AM

Another vote for the 70

**chip anderson** · 03-31-2009, 09:28 AM

I think this man is interested in fast and fast alone. My old B&L 70's are not that damn fast. Accurate, yes so one saves time not having to second guess readings, but fast, no.
And no, I don't know what would be the fastest instrument.

Chip

**bob_f_aboc** · 03-31-2009, 10:52 AM

My vote goes to the B&L 70 as well.

I can neutralize lenses faster on that machine than the techs in my office can on the digital.

The best way to build speed is to practice, practice, practice.

Then practice some more.

**Kid A** · 03-31-2009, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

Ditto :D With what you're doing, accuracy is far more important than speed.

Accuracy pretty much goes without saying though, its the speed i need to improve on. With the legal implications involved i will never sign and complete a job with powers/axis/prism etc that are out of tolerance range.

bob_f_aboc - I completely agree about the practice thing, it's coming to me gradually. Today was a good day for me as i managed to complete 50 jobs from start to finish with just one reject (stress marks on a nylon supra). I saved alot of time by using both manual and auto focimeters side by side. I think this is the way i'll be doing things from now on.

chip anderson - You're right, being a perfectionist i could spend ages scrutinizing each job but the store manager has been urging me now to up my pace! Hence this thread..

Diane - Is that 'official'? The B&L 70 being the most accurate instrument around as you say, would lead me to believe that it measures in increments smaller than 100th of a dioptre? Is it a completely manual focimeter? Or does it have an integrated digital display in there?

Chris Ryser - A few seconds multiplied by a few jobs soon turns into a few minutes = minutes that i need for glazing/edging/assembly/focimetering again/checking/signing/cleaning/casing/ordering and the rest of it!

I've come to the conclusion that both types have their pros and cons. I'm going to settle for both! I find my auto lensmeter struggles with 80%LTF tinted lenses and prescriptions where the cylinder power reverts the lens power back to plano. However i can find and dot the optical centre of a non toric lens in about 4 seconds with the auto (with the manual i'd have barely got my eye in the hole by this point!). Its all about getting to know the equipment thouroughly i guess.

Thanks for your replies guys,

Lab n00b