Spoilage rates

[MonicaMiller]

Hello everyone! I'm new on the forum. I have an interest in trying to discover the "average" spoilage rate for optical labs only, in regards to accidental scratching lenses and/or frames with your tools. (Screwdrivers, etc.) The reason is because I'm trying to design a bench tool that will drastically reduce spoilage rates due to scratches as well as reducing stabbing yourself with tools. I realize that many labs don't break down their spoilage rates between the different possible reasons, so any "best guess" would satisfy me! And to put the spoilage rates in perspective, please include how many jobs are done on an average day.

Thank you in advance!

[optical24/7]

Anything like this?

[MonicaMiller]

No. It's something that keeps the glasses from slipping under pressure during lens insertion or screw tightening, etc. But, thanks for the look-see!!

[Kwill212]

No. It's something that keeps the glasses from slipping under pressure during lens insertion or screw tightening, etc. But, thanks for the look-see!!

So something more like this then?

[Uncle Fester]

Debbie Downer here.

Are we talking about a brace type devise for the frame?

To me anyway it's all about experience as I think no specialty tool that isn't already out there needs to be designed.*

I've always found it's not the frames that slip but the screwdriver. The screwdriver shown above is in most of our labs but I very rarely use it. Maybe a couple of times a year.

I found out a long time ago if you are forcing a screw something more fundamental is wrong and needs attention.

*My rate of spoilage is proportional to the cost of the lens being worked on (>1%) and I am, like many other opticians more than a bit of a Luddite. So in all sincerity I wish you good luck in inventing a better mousetrap.

[Robert_S]

It's quite common with apprentices but quite rare with experienced workers, in my experience.

[Alex Camblor]

I estimate our spoilage rate from accidental scratches is less than 1%. I learned quickly after I once put gouged a patients premium progressive with ar several years ago and had to remake it. Nowadays I just use a plastic lens protector card I got from hilco for ~$1, that has little notches and holes in it for various tasks like rimless, nosepad screws, etc. It has saved me many times.

[lensmanmd]

Our spoilage from screwdriver slippage is next to nothing. Scratching is from careless cleaning more often than not. Most of our bench spoilage is from laziness and/or rushing. Sizing and chipping from forcing lenses into frames (aka snap-fit). Both make me mad as hell. It’s not like they don’t know!