I just watched this video about 3d printed eyeglasses and it seems to me that this will be the future. I also think this could be a very neat niche market.
http://youtu.be/OCykS9MD3wg
I just watched this video about 3d printed eyeglasses and it seems to me that this will be the future. I also think this could be a very neat niche market.
http://youtu.be/OCykS9MD3wg
Been watching a company that does this for a couple of years. Nice idea, but the problem is the materials currently available.
What is the quality of these like ? Could you make a lens ? What about makng a comfort bridge , could one be made of acceptable quality while the customer waits ? Are clipons viable ? I apologize for the questions but my speakers were not working so I can see the video but not hear it.
After buying the software and printer what does the material cost to make a frame ? If the quality of material is poor then is the process ok for non- critical parts like makng cases or would it not be cost effective ?
http://www.3ders.org/articles/201208...your-face.html check this out
I am thinking this more of a way for an ECP to seperate themselves from the competition by doing custom fitting and order. I think this would be a great way to attract a younger generation of patients.
Originally Posted by Sledzinator
My concern is will the younger generation be willing to pay for it or willing to wait for them?
I've toyed around with the idea, but I can't see it working long term. I hope it works for the companies doing it because the potential is huge!
I think for something one of a kind they will be willing to wait. Fezz what are your concerns for it working long term?
Cathy and Shirley on the Optical Vision Site just posted about this on their blog.
http://theopticalvisionsite.com/eyew...ed-eyeglasses/
It is only about a 3 or 4 hour process isn't it ? The retail is very reasonable unless you get into the custom fit and custom face measurements , but even then it is right on par with selling a mid price product?
As with all technologies this one will improve too.
Interesting blog there. I think 5 to 10 years is accurate for this to become the norm. I would like to hear opinions from some owners out there.
Very interesting, and right in style with todays younger audience. Customizing the fit seems to be a great benefit. What will the technology do when the trend moves back to more metal styles? Will advances in this technology make this transition?
In the original video there was a metal temple with a spring hinge. I think the technology is more than ready for this to be a succesful business model.
I saw that, and figured they were attached after printing the frame.
How will the available products meet the ever changing style fads, trends, and norms?
Sure big clunky, funky chunky zyls are popular now, will they be 4 years from now? I wonder about the diversity of product.
I've seen some other videos of metal parts being "machined" via 3D printing, using a printer much like the one you have at your home or office and priced less than $500. If they can do that, they should be able to make frames fairly easily from different materials I would think.
I've spent most of the afternoon researching this. While the machinery is there to do the job, the materials are not. None of the dozen or so machines that I looked at uses a material that would make, what we call, a good frame. A useable system for us may be out there, I'm going to do some calling tomorrow and find out more.
Last edited by Jacqui; 10-04-2012 at 04:18 PM. Reason: Added, deleted, multiplied
Thanks for the update! Let us know what you find out.
That is the conclusion that I came to when I researched it.
Its been over a year since I looked into doing it. Things are probably changing. It has potential.
Last edited by Fezz; 10-04-2012 at 04:45 PM.
There is a company (store?) in LA that sells several brands, I'm going to try there first. There should be someone that makes what we need, the right size and material. One company in Chicago also has a kit to make a table top CNC mill that is big enough to make frames (another thought)
This whole thing is going to leave me with a horrendous phone bill
It may have potential for making an emergency pair of glasses that perfectly fit the patients old lenses if their frame is broken. I asume you could trace the old lenses or old frame to make a new pair while maintaining the PD and seg heights.
Would it be useful to replicate a broken temple with the correct backstop ?
There was a recent article about the fears of people using 3d printers to make illegal guns. Either the author was mistaken in the ability of the final product or a durable product can be printed.
Just like everything else out there, there are different qualities/capabilities of printers out there and the final product it can create. For a $500 printer you can get something that can do blockish (think 8-16 bit) designs that can't get the fine enough resolution for some parts.. spend 10 times that and get something that can do the most intricate designs and produces a much more "finish" product.
The range of materials are expanding. Some coworkers and I were discussing the possibility to use this type of system for a sunglass line we wanted to start. I personally like the idea of combining this technology with the metal laser etching techniques out there to offer a wide variety of customization.
"Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate. But I believe that happiness is something we create."-Something More by Sugarland
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