| The
process begins when a doctor calls, faxes, mails, or uses Remote Order
Entry (ROE) through this website to deliver your prescription. ROE
is the most efficient way to place an order. Using ROE allows the
doctor to enter the prescription directly into our network, thus speeding
up the order process. |
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Receiving
your prescription |
| After
a prescription has been entered or traced into our system, it is assigned
a bin number and placed in a color coded tray. The lens is pulled
from our large inventory, which is kept in electric retrievers. |
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One
of our electric retrievers |
| Notice
that a starting blank lens is very thick, some as much as 11 millimeters.
These lens are usually 71 millimeters around. |
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A
starting blank lens |
| Next,
semifinished lens are sent to the surfacing department while stock
lens go directly to the finishing department. The type of finished
lens needed determines which process will be applied to each order.
For this example, the lens must be ground. First, the lens is taped
on the front to prevent scratching. An aluminum block is attached
by wax. The lens is put into one of our three generators. These generators
actually cut the prescription or curve into the lens. The excess thickness
is discarded. |
The lens is being placed into a generator to be cut |
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| The
lens enters the finishing process. In this step, aluminum blocks of
the required power are pulled and an abrasive pad is applied. This
pad buffs or fines the curve to apply the prescription to the lens. |
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An
abrasive pad is being applied to the lens |
| Time
for polishing. These machines polish the lens with a chalky compound
that finishes the surfacing process. The lens is de-blocked, tape
is removed, and the lens is soaked and cleaned thoroughly. At this
point, if the lens requires backside coating, it is sent to another
department. |
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The
lens is being polished with the chalky compound |
| Inspection
time! We check each lens for the proper prescription or power. After
the first inspection, some orders will go straight to your doctor
for edging. Others will be edged here. The tray number is entered
into a blocker and an adhesive pad is attached to the lens. The lens
is then edged and cut into the correct size to fit it's frame. Both
the cad blocker and edgers draw their information from our main network.
Lenses requiring a special feature such as tinting or anti-reflective
coating are sent to another department. |
The lens is being put into the edger |
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The
anti-reflective (AR) procedure is extremely hi-tech. The lens are
first put into the T-10 Washing System. The lens are rotated and soaked
in the T-10's six wash tanks.
After soaking, the lens go into a machine that acts like an oven to
be de-gased for two hours. When the lens emerge from the oven, they
return to the inspection table in the AR room.
After the inspection approval, the lens are ready for the anti-reflective
(AR) chamber. The chamber then applies the 21 layers of anti-reflective
material to the lens. The lens are inspected again. |
Lens
are placed in the T-10 Washing System
 |
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The
lens are in the "oven" |
After
the special features like anti-reflective coating or tints have been
added, the lens are mounted into a frame. The frame is put into standard
alignment.
If
a lens must be drill mounted, the drilling is performed by our CNC
OPTIDRILL. This machine drills tiny holes through the lens so a frame
may be attached. |
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The
lens are being drilled |
| The
glasses must pass a final inspection to ensure the correct prescription,
coating, and frame have been applied to meet the original order. This
final inspection also insures that the lens are free from any scratches
or scuffs. The trays are then scanned, an invoice is printed, and
the glasses are rushed to your doctor for pickup. |
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Final
Inspection Time! |
