looking for optometrists that have used optical dynamics, opticast, etc and results
looking for optometrists that have used optical dynamics, opticast, etc and results
Considering the most the optometrists may have done with the system is pay the monthly lease, you may want to ask the opticians that operated the system ;)
I ran an older Innotech Excaliber system for a few years way back. Any specific questions?
drawbacks? could they compete with the labs in quality
We had no problems switching patients out of there V-Comfort, Image, etc. into the progressive lenses the system produced. Proper fit of the lens, as in everything else, is 95% of the game. The progressives were the easiest lenses to do on the system. Bifocals were much more trouble getting them to seperate cleanly from the molds. However, we barely had recovered our cost for the system when it was sold off to J&J and then of course consumables for the unit became dicey to continue getting. To this day I can remember pitching the whole system into the dumpster out back.
I'd take a good long look at where this business, including the wholesale end, is headed before investing in any lens production system, including standard lens surfacing. I get regular monthly lists of whole labs full of equipment, supposedly "practically new" that are being sold off due to lab closures. You have to look at those lists and ask yourself why new labs are closing down.
You can get a full surface computerized lab for 15K all day long, why would you limit yourself to casting?
Sounds interesting. Who is the provider?
everyone going out of business
optronics generator 2g $8K
2 cyl machines $3K
Laps $2K at a $1.00 a piece.
Alloy blocker/layout marker/tape machine $1K
$4K left for a computer/software
Try the for sale forum here or usedlabs.com or even eBay.
at 15K I'm being conservative.
Much thanks, appreciate the info/feedback.
worked at a place that used Innotech. Process required immense amount of care and patience (NO SHORT CUTS). We had an employee racing through the jobs and the scrap rate was through the roof. we replaced w/ a 16 yr old (owners son) who was unbelievably methodical and exacting and the spoilage rate went to virtually zero. If I remember correctly, though, throughput was an issue...I believe you can get more lenses/hour through traditional surfacing than the casting. I would check on that. so initial cost per lens was less, but when factoring in labor, I think it wasn't quite as great a deal. I remember we did relatively well w/ their progressive (like prev poster mentioned, fitting was 95% of the battle).
I seem to remember that there may have been an issue w/ contract to purchase raw materials...they sent what they thought you needed, not what we really needed, so there was an issue w/ having to pay for extra monomer. I'll have to talk w/ the owner to see what the specifics were.
So if you had a system where it took as long to cast a single vision lens as it did a Progressive and maybe photochromic as well...you would spend your time doing the progressives. Much more margin there....why would anyone want to cast single vision lenses when you can get them from the labs so cheap?
Don't forget that your plus lenses will almost always be too thick as they can only make them one diameter.
DragonlensmanWV N.A.O.L.
"There is nothing patriotic about hating your government or pretending you can hate your government but love your country."
Our fastcast system via Optical Dynamics has been idle for 5 to 10 years.
The good,
Optical Dynamics is a good company to work with. Good optics. Good lens. Good progresive, I remember no problems. Low material costs. About 6 to 8 dollars of polymer yielded a good set of Progresive, flatop or SV. (add labor,and equipment to that). A person could make 2 to 4 pair an hour.
the bad.
PLUS LENS. About the time we got the system is when frames went from a 54 eye down to a 44 eye. Plus lens were too thick. Our doc got an electronic refracting system and started prescribing prism frequently (no prism in Fast Cast) A/R, No good A/R, I'm a Crizal family knd of guy.
Actually, at $15K, you're being innumerate, since your list adds up to $18K...Originally Posted by braheem24
Can you really buy working cylinder machines for $1500? A blocker, marker, and tape machine for $1000 (again, working)?
Yes, http://usedopti.ipower.com/Home.html among others.
Interesting - cheaper than I would have thought!
It's almost as shocking to me that people pay way more, but I am used to working on used equipment and working with quirks. My last office only bought used equipment for cylinder machines, blockers, markers, hand stones, and such the only thing ew my old boss ever bought was the edger and generator and that was just because he didn't want to deal with the hassles of used, but nowadays the used market has some great deals and great service as well just ask Leo.
1st* HTML5 Tracer Software
1st Mac Compatible Tracer Software
1st Linux Compatible Tracer Software
*Dave at OptiVision has a web based tracer integration package that's awesome.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks