...and do you love it, hate it, or somewhere in between?
I am an admitted perfectionist; I like the job to end up on axis (not just "close enough"), with the correct PD, height, etc.
Please tell me what you're using (preferably currently available), and how you'd rate it in terms of accuracy, reliability, etc.
Thanks!
Last edited by Ruth; 08-31-2022 at 01:51 PM. Reason: Reposting
Our practice just received a Gerber Kappa, brand new. It's a fantastic machine that will do just about anything. My only problem was figuring out the symbols that are onscreen.
Bob V.
NATIONAL OPTRONICS 6E.
DRY CUTS, NO WATER, HIGHLY ACCURATE, SUPER QUIET...EASY TO OPERATE...
AIT MAXIMA
All Materials
Automatically grooves semi rimless
Polishes edges
Remote tracing capabilities
cuts to exact size
Great customer service
More than adequately meets the demands of every day use.
Kevin
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WECO
Well I just bought this equipment June 2002:
Weco Trace 1 (tracer) - NEW
Weco CAD (blocker) - USED
Weco 2-D (edger) - NEW
Basic equipment (nothing fancy) but reliable as heck!
This is my second set of Weco equipment and I'm very loyal to them. :cheers:
Eddie G's
We've used converted Weco 2440 edgers and Gerber Professionals.
The Weco's were sturdy machines with low maintenance costs but were not as configurable as the Gerber edgers. I am sure Weco makes more modern edgers but if you are looking at used edgers you may run across the 2440 and 440 edgers. Setting bevels on the older Wecos takes practice - the step guides are manual.
The Gerber edgers pretty much let you use pre-programed settings for materials and base curves or set a bevel by eye. There was a little more calibration involved with the Gerber edgers but once set the ran like a dream.
We had issues with our Gerber tracer but I believe we may have just gotten a lemon combined with the volume we were running. I also believe Gerber has a new tracer out that is an improvement over what we had.
We have had and really enjoyed the Kappa CTD edger and the Kappa ct Tracer.....looking to upgrade to the Mr Blue this year.
Gerber Sigma II is great for us!
What I've used:
National Optronics 6es and 7 (4t Tracer)
Gerber Kappa and Spartan (Triumph Tracer)
Santinelli 7070, 9000, and ME1000 (on-board tracer and LT-900)
AIT Continuum (don't remember the tracer)
What I'd use again (if I have the choice):
Any of the Santinelli's. Always spot on, quiet (comparatively), and the best edge polish I've seen without a touchup.
You mean people are still using PATTERN edgers? I thought they went the way of the dinosaurs over 15 years ago...What Patternless Edger do you use?
RT
Originally Posted by RT
I still use one, it's the only kind I can afford :(
Still using the dinosaur................................
When I started my present company in October 1981, (30years this fall) I kept the finishing part of my wholsale lab for purly R&D purposes.
So I am the owner of nearly new looking and working equipment that was purchased in 1971-71.
The Essilor MBA edger using patterns which we can cut on a Mars cutter still makes some of the nicest bevels on any type lens curve. Not much used these days the counter is on 91,000 lenses and I paid $ 7,500 for it, brand new in 1971 and still works and looks nice.
2 Weco tracer
3 Weco 430
1 Weco Cnc-90
Great for most basic jobs, little maintainance. We have had Weco edgers for more than 30 years.
If you are looking for accuracy you should not blame only the edger. It is only one link on the chain. I has found that one of the mayor problems start with the trace of the frame. Frames are not as symmetrical as they use to be 20 years ago. On others, when you remove the demolenses, the metal and even plastic will change of shape. On other metal frames the metal is so soft that will bend while the edge stylus makes pressure on the groove of the frame.
Also the blocker must be perfectly set and should be checked frequently.
There are many reasons why a lens can be off axis.
Sure, why not? IMO the National Optronics Horizon II is one of best edgers made - easy to maintain, easy to fix, easy to run. And I saw one recently for a little over $1k (complete with vacuum).
Nice old tread!
What do you think will happen to Mr Blue with Essilor selling them direct?
Bwhahahahahaha!!!!
Never even looked at the OP date. :p
Mr. Blue is being transfered to National Optronics. Gerber has 17 left after that the Gerber Mr. Blue is all gone.
Mr. Blue is blue.
Is the Mr. Blue a dry cut type??
No, it's the successor to the Kappa series.
I wonder who is going to offer the warranties for Mr Blue!?!?!?!?
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