Product category:
Machinery and Production Equipment
News Release from: Edwards | Subject: Lens coating system
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 03 November 2003
All-in-one solution for coating lenses
BOC Edwards has developed a novel lens coating system for the ophthalmic industry.
BOC Edwards has developed a novel lens coating system for the ophthalmic industry The new system is the first completely modular solution for antireflection (AR) coating of ophthalmic lenses, offering super optical manufacturers and small- to medium-size ophthalmic laboratories the first "one-stop" solution for all their lens cleaning and coating requirements
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 16 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The new system comprises equipment for lens precleaning and automated ultrasonic cleaning, thermal cure dip hard coating, AR sputter coating, and an optical spectrophotometer for colour tuning and quality control.
Using advanced process technology developed by BOC Edwards, the new system allows quick and easy batch process deposition of AR and mirror coatings on up to 40 lenses per hour.
The lens coating system's ultrasonic lens cleaning unit automatically cleans up to 10 lenses at a time during the 15min cycle, which comprises two ultrasonic cleaning stages followed by two rinses with de-ionised water.
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The cleaning unit features a built-in, activated carbon water purification system.
The compact and lightweight, dip hard coater applies scratch resistant, tintable thermally cured lacquer to the cleaned lenses.
Microprocessor control of the entire process, including the pull rate, ensures that a high quality uniform coating of 4um is applied to both sides of each lens before curing.
The sputter coater provides AR and mirror coating, with optional hydrophobic coating, all in one cycle.
BOC Edwards patented configuration of reactive magnetron sputtering technology, is a low-temperature vacuum-based process which can be used to coat a wide range of plastic and mineral lenses simultaneously.
The result is superior adhesion and resistance to scratching and chemical attack.
The final element in the lens coating system is a computer controlled optical spectrophotometer for measuring the visible reflection from the newly coated lenses.
The system is very easy to operate and the data collected is used to adjust the settings on the sputter coating and other units, ensuring consistent high quality production.
The new lens coating system is backed by BOC Edwards' considerable global technical sales and support infrastructure.
Operator training, preventative maintenance contracts and remote support services are available worldwide.
Dr Adil Adamjee, Market Development Manager for BOC Edwards' lens coating business says: "BOC Edwards' modular approach enables customers to purchase individual components or an entire streamlined lens coating suite.
Either way, the price and performance make a very attractive proposition".
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