Magnetron sputtering ar-coating process

[cravisi]

We are an optical retailer in South East Asia, recently we were introduced & proposed with a new AR-coating machine which utilises the so-called 'Magnetron Sputtering Processes'. I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard a company 'Power Vision Optical' based in UK, who manufacturer this particular machine? How is the outcome & quality of their AR-coated lenses? It claims to be able to provide fast cycle & low cost in operation. Shall appreciate to hear some feed-backs or comments before our decision to purchase, thank-you.

[sharpstick777]

Purchasing an A/R machine that no one has ever heard of is not unlike buying a car brand that no one has ever heard of.... there is a reason, and then a danger.

Stay with well known established brands like Leybold, Optotech, Satolish, Quantum etc. If you buy an expensive machine, and the company goes under, then you need a part, then you have a very expensive and large paperweight.

[Jacqui]

The Satis SP200, Coburn OCS 25, Optotech, Zeiss, Leybold, Nidek and several others have made them. Sputter coating would be good for a retailer, but is lacking the durability that wholesalers and manufacturers need. Sputter coating can be a lot more versatile than ion-gun types, ability to handle edged lenses easier, faster change time form one type of coating to another and faster clean-up. Maintenance also seems to be less than the others.

I have often thought about having an OCS 25 or SP200 in a small lab along with freeform and milling type edger. Generic AR with generic freeform lenses and generic frames, a totally generic lab.

[Jacqui]

After looking, I remembered this company http://www.powervisionoptical.com/products/ophthalmic but i don't really know any more about them.

[cravisi]

Thanks for all your feed-backs & comments, it's much appreciated. We shall be going to the factory in UK to see how is the machine performing. Should there be anyone who is interested with the sputtering AR-coating machine, let me now if there is any specific points you would want to enquire about. Hope I could share with you all on the plus & minus side of this system.

[Chris Ryser]

OPTICAL WORLD has learned that UK-based PowerVision Ltd is about to launch a new small AR coating machine to coincide with the timing of SILMO and Vision Expo West. According to PowerVision’s CEO, Dr Tony Williams, this new machine called the PV Express, produces a top quality AR coating which is superior to most made using traditional big box coaters. Tony Williams says ‘In contrast to other small systems which use only one target, the PV Express uses two targets. One is a high refractive index material and the other is a low refractive index material. This means we can deposit a multilayer Hi-Lo stack just like the traditional box coaters and the coating quality is excellent. The difference is that our machine can slide through a standard door frame and fits in a corner’.

see more -------------------> http://www.powervisionoptical.com/ne...-world-article

[optimensch]

seems like a pretty big undertaking for a retail store to start coating lenses, especially with so many stock lenses and hungry labs out there....