Don't be fooled by the term digital. In simple quick terms....although digital is a fairly new technology, it is simply a more accurate way to process conventional lenses. Although it is faster for a lab to process as they normally go cut to polish from the generator, there are less steps and less labour involved; so they should be less expensive right???
Wrong. You will pay a premium for these lenses due to the more expensive processing equipment and software technology. Although you can purchase low end equipment and software starting at around $300K, the average cost for the better, more recognized technology is between $750K to $1M.
Free-form is a design (available in both PALS and SV) coupled with an even more accurate digital process. The design can be based on major manufacturer designs (essentially copying the major brands and/or private labelling) or a customized in-house design, hence the term free-form. There can front and back double surface free form, molded front and back surface free from or 100% backside free form with spherical front (SV lens blank).
Here's a great link which explains in further detail. Good luck!
http://www.totallyoptical.com/Media/...Handbook09.pdf
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