MAFO - 5/2023

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 19

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY Connect, discover, stay up-to-date

THE NATURAL WAY OF DEBOXING

5/2023 ▶ Special topic: Sustainable Processes A broad vision of sustainability “There is no waste at all‒, only raw materials!” ▶ Technology Anti-reflex coating and process control Thickness and weight of ophthalmic lenses One drop and you regain the vision of a 20-year-old? ▶ Market Survey AR-Coating machinery

Unboxing any kind of box

Environmentally friendly

DBX m dulo With DBX Modulo ONE, SCHNEIDER debuts a powerful and fully automated new lens deboxer for high throughput, 24/7. The innovative technology unpacks all common kinds of boxes and materials – cardboard, blisters, even sleeves – damage-free with a clean process. It requires a minimum of energy and effort.

After swiftly identifying the type of box, DBX Modulo ONE opens it “naturally”: It unfolds, takes out and unwraps, entirely without touching the lens surface.

SCHNEIDERs eco-friendly process avoids cutting or burning the material using sharp blades or high energy lasers – no cutting particles or dust and no fumes.

All waste material is separated and collected individually to simplify recycling and further increase sustainability.

DBX Modulo ONE follows SCHNEIDERs vision to provide the full solution for ophthalmic labs, from warehousing all the way to inline coating and beyond.

Ophthalmic lens production fully-automated and entirely hands-free.

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

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www.schneider-om.com

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SEE US AT

Why Gamble on the Quality of Your Coatings?

Discover the CHC200, a complete cleaning and coating system that effortlessly coats more than 200 lenses per hour utilising the best experience of our 25-year history. When it comes to the ultimate performance cleaning and coating system for your lab, don’t leave it all on the role of a dice!

www.optimal-technologies.com A4_MAFO_Advert_CHC200_Expo.indd 1 !AZ.indd 10

t: +44 (0) 1462 491616 e: sales@optimal-technologies.com

28/08/2023 21:28 29.08.23 14:59

LETTER

Sustainability: everyone round the table, please!

W

e live in a time when climate

pulling together: If industry standards are

change and natural disasters

set, if terminology is defined more clearly, if

around the world are setting

the same international regulations apply to

the global agenda. Thus

everyone, so that the problems, rubbish and

sustainability has a high priority for many

chemicals are not simply transported from

companies today – at least in theory.

one side of the world to the other.

In practice the definition of sustainability is

And there needs to be involvement at every

extremely imprecise, covering ecological

level: material suppliers, manufacturers, retail

aspects as well as economic and social factors.

stores and online sellers. For example, recycling

It is sustainable to put solar cells on your roof,

procedures can only be established, if everyone

to send spectacles to third world countries and

sits down at the table to set common goals. The

to create a diverse work environment.

path will not be easy, but in the end it will be worth it. Then sustainability can become truly

Hanna Diewald Chief editor Tell us your opinion, ideas and suggestions: hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com

Where ecological aspects are concerned, it is

effective and fair.

sustainable to conserve resources, to reduce packaging as well as to promote recycling. Naturally

In this issue we focus on “sustainable

all this is good, it all makes perfect sense!

processes”, giving practical examples for the optical industry. These range from how to

But who has the final say when it comes to

avoid waste, to filtration via recycling. We also

deciding which company or which country is

talked to a circular economy expert about how

acting truly responsibly? How are consumers

companies can use recycling to benefit

supposed to distinguish between green-

themselves and the environment. And last but

washing and genuinely effective measures,

not least, this issue is also about a “sustainability

when often even the experts can’t immediately

mindset” – both personally and in companies.

tell the difference?

And perhaps it will inspire one or the other Fairness and comparability but especially the

to look for partners, to exchange ideas and

effectiveness could certainly be improved. For

take a joint approach to some of the topics

example, by companies or entire industries

discussed.

READ FOR FREE app.mafo-optics.com

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GAME CHANGER

The Block-less Freeform Lens Production System

VISIT US AT SEPTEMBER 29TH - OCTOBER 2ND PARIS, FRANCE BOOTH 6K129

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023

Content Topics in this edition MAFO issue

September / October 2023

Page 20

Page 26

Page 16

At a glance

Technology

6

10

All about you

A broad vision of sustainability

News from the international ophthalmic industry

By Jamal J. El-Hindi

7

20

All about markets

Anti-Reflex coating and process control

Data in graphics

8 All about products Innovations and products for your lab

52

Spotlight Special Topic

By Julia Baier

Business

By Peter Weber

38

26

Closing Words Lowri Moore – a self-confident ambassador for good vision

57 Outlook

Special Topic

The IDG framework for people and organizations

Thickness and weight of ophthalmic lenses

By Britta Butz

By Gaetano Volpe and Pasquale Fanelli

Suppliers Guide

56

34 Focusing on natural, healthy and clear vision

Surveys Spotlight

16 “There is no waste at all, only raw materials!”

42 Special Topic

AR-Coating machinery

An interview with Alexander Maak

30 One drop and you regain the vision of a 20-year-old?

By Lena Petzold

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

All about you News from the international ophthalmic industry Coburn Technologies named Carla Moncunill as new Group Sales responsible for Europe

concentration on the extension of the “production LMS” by Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) components (sales, inventory) and supply chain

Coburn Technologies is pleased

logistics components, as well as the innovated version of LensOrder WEB,

to announce the addition of

licensed by different LensWare partners. Furthermore, different events

Carla Moncunill Cabré to their

in the evening cared for team relaxation after the laborious technical

global sales team as the new

sessions. LensWare furtherly will put emphasis on organic growth and a

Group Sales Responsible in

perfect customer support, as well as on achieving maximum stability and

Europe. In this role, Moncunill

implementing features for monitoring of the LMS package, to maximize

will facilitate the extension of

availability of this utter complex IT solution.

Coburn’s sales reach across

Carla Moncunill Cabré, Group Sales Responsible Europe

Southern, Western, and Central

opti 2024 presents itself with faces from the industry

Europe. As a leading provider

opti 2024 marks the beginning

of innovative, end-to-end cus-

of a new era: the campaign

tomer solutions to the world’s

visuals for the optical meeting

lens processing industries and eye care professionals, Coburn is excited

place from 12 to 14 January

to introduce Moncunill and the robust technical and client- centered

2024 in Munich show the faces

background she will bring to the table.­­­

of committed individuals in the industry. They all stand

Fifth LensWare Convention in Langen (Germany)

New campaign visuals

for a strong market with strong

people and for the new spirit of opti. Together and personal. The cross-media campaign started on 1 September 2023. The new campaign with real people instead of models stands for dynamism in communication.

Ocuco announced growth equity investment Ocuco, a global company for eyecare software solutions, announced a €60 million minority stake investment from Accel-KKR, a global technologyfocused private equity firm. The investThe global LensWare team

ment is set to boost Ocuco’s global

From 3rd to 8th of July the fifth LensWare Convention took place. For

momentum, enabling the company to

this purpose, the office crew and all international consultants met for one

meet the eyecare industry’s burgeoning

week in Langen, to integrally discuss about latest developments in projects,

omnichannel demand through Acuitas

modules and requirements, and to furtherly agree the strategy in the

3 ­O mniChannel Edition, Ocuco’s

different markets. After an evolutionary growth over the last 15 years, meanwhile about 250 lab partner LMS IT projects are managed by 22

Leo Mac Canna, founder and CEO of Ocuco

category-defining cloud-based software solution. With Accel-KKR’s

committed “LensWare crew” members in all continents of the world. At

backing, Ocuco will also continue to capitalize on strategic Merger

this year´s convention decisive topics were discussed. For instance the

& Acquisitions (M&A) opportunities.

You have news for the ophthalmic industry? Submit your press releases to: hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com or constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

All about markets Graphical data Eye health significantly affects labor markets: workers with vision impairment are

30% According to Eye Health and the World of Work,

less likely to be employed, compared to those without. Low- and middle-income regions experiencing about four times more cases than high-income regions.

13 million

Source: The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

people live with vision impairment linked to their work, with an estimated 3.5 million eye injuries occurring in the workplace every year. This amounts to 1% of all nonfatal occupational injuries.

Source: The International Agency for the

52 trillion US dollars

Prevention of Blindness

for climate protection. This sum results when summarizing all climate protection programs, financing commitments, frameworks and demand estimates, in 33 countries studied, up to 2050.

Source: The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

> 90%

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Over 90% of vision impairment cases are either preventable or treatable through existing, cost-effective interventions.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Advertisement

All about products Innovations and working materials for your lab New OptoTech VISTA - Automated Cosmetic Inspection System The new OptoTech VISTA is especially designed for detecting and localizing defects on ophthalmic lenses. Its integrated optical system screens the lens surface for any irregularities and reliably localizes a comprehensive range of different defect categories that are almost invisible to the human eye (minimal defect size 50μm). It is also optimized to detect coating defects which makes the system suitable for quality control after the coating process. State of the art algorithms result in minimal evaluation time of approx. 12 seconds/lens and thus allow a productivity of up to 300 lenses/h. The intelligent system uses Big Data for targeted decision making. Configurable error zones (different number and error size per zone) are possible to adapt the VISTA to the Lab‘s individual quality standards. The VISTA comes in a new design concept that combines functionality and a compact footprint for easy integration with a modern look. Visit www.optotech.net

MIDO, the leading international eyewear show worldwide, is getting ready to amaze you MIDO is where the world of optics meets in a setting where deals are made and sales closed. Starting the end of September, visitors can register on the MIDO website for the forthcoming edition of the most international eyewear show, set to take place at Fiera Milano Rho February 3rd to 5th 2024. Exhibitors from around the globe have already reserved their area at MIDO, reaffirming the show’s international reach. These days, MIDO is working to build the new edition and to surprise its exhibitors and visitors with novelties, of all kinds: communication tools, Otticlub’s program, influencers, travel packages and so on. Actually, in June, MIDO already surprised: for this new 2024 edition MIDO introduced ‘Spheres’, the new communication campaign created with artificial intelligence, combining human creativity with the innovative power of Artificial ­Intelligence, the first trade show campaign to be developed with this technology. In addition to its technological and digital soul, MIDO, as a major international event, feels a high responsibility in terms of its impact on the environment, sharing the path toward ISO 20121:2012 certification, which attests to the sustainable management of large events. Visit www.mido.com and the official social channels Instagram (@mido_exhibition), Facebook (@MIDOExhibition), Twitter (@MIDOExhibition) and LinkedIn to stay updated.

Satisloh Introduces Enhanced MES-360 Manufacturing Execution System for Ophthalmic Lens Manufacturing Industry Satisloh, a global leader in optical manufacturing solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of an upgraded version of its MES-360 manufacturing execution system. This latest update brings lots of new functionalities that have been developed based on feedback from customers and industry experts. MES-360 has been designed to address the needs of lab managers, production supervisors, machine technicians, and quality teams in mid to large-sized Rx labs. Some of the key features of the new MES-360 software include: Real-time Production Monitoring, Supports Satisloh and 3rd Party Machines, Advanced Data Collection Platform, Coating Batching Tracking, Quality Management Tools and Customizable Workflows with Integrated Smart Conveyor. For more information about MES-360 and Satisloh's comprehensive range of optical manufacturing solutions, visit https://www.satisloh.com/ophthalmic/software/mes-360-software

CoreTBA: The Block-less Freeform lens production system from MEI This new machine represents a game changer in the industry and a revolution in the lens generation process. With its Block-free system, for the first time in history, labs can avoid using tapes, blocks, and wax, or Alloy. This means that it’s not necessary to have taping, de-taping, blocking, and de-blocking machines in the production line anymore.

Moreover, with its Dry Cut technology, the CoreTBA doesn’t need a water filtering system and helps you save money and protect the environment. CoreTBA includes seven essential stages of the lens production process in one single unit, with the smallest footprint on the market. All processes, from the digital generation, through the engraving, polishing, and washing, are integrated into one unit. In order to achieve a short machining cycle, all processes occur in parallel, and every section of the unit is fed by a tray conveyor system and digitally controlled loading arms. Visit www.meisystem.com

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THE CONFERENCE

#MAFO CON24

SAVE E THE DAT2024

y 2, Februar y before one da Milan Mido in

The upcoming conference will take place under the motto:

Next Generation Planned highlights  Machinery processes  3D-printing  Coating technology  Lens designs  Market data and much more …

Stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter, to get all the news about MAFO – The Conference. The speakers, the final topics and the participants of the panel discussion, matching the motto Next Generation, will be announced in the next weeks. For all questions and suggestions about the conference please write an email to: hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com / www.linkedin.com/showcase/mafo

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Sustainable Processes TECHNOLOGY

A broad vision of sustainability Sustainability is a mindset that inspires businesses to think dynamically about both the bottom line and the impact on our planet. By considering filtration, waste management technology and sustainability from other industries, we get a broader vision of what sustainability can be, or should be, for the optical industry. By Jamal J. El-Hindi

P

rior to the “green era”, sustainability had been in practice

them. Metal manufacturing mills use huge amounts of water every

even when the priority was not the environment. Waste

day, with tanks that hold hundreds of thousands of liters.

management, filtration, dust colletion and more have been

Without the environment in mind, these companies had to find ways

a means to collect or reuse precious resources throughout

to reuse this water, especially when expensive coolant and additives

the manufacturing process. Although environmental conservation

were used. The optical industry is like many other industries, requiring

has not always been a priority in manufacturing, it has been a means

ways to reuse water and coolants, disposing of hazardous materials,

to conserve natural resources and save money.

and trying to reduce waste.

In the wire industry, companies go through great lengths to collect

The difference now, of course, is that we are in the “green era”, and we

their waste and strip everything but the raw metals so they can reuse

now know the harm our impact has on our planet. The idea of sustainability

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Sustainable Processes TECHNOLOGY

is not just about reusing resources or making efforts to stop pollution, it

the increased volume of swarf alone can cost labs a lot of money, not

has become a mindset. Sustainability is about changing the way you think

to mention how much coolant is being thrown away with that swarf.

about business and how your choices not only impact the bottom line,

As a lab grows, filtration and waste management become more important.

but how they impact the future of our planet and all of us who live on it.

In the optical industry, the main forms of filtration are typically media filtration or centrifuge filtration.

Filtration and technology Filtration among industries has been a profound part of the manufactur-

Centrifuges

ing process for a long time. So much, that large industries turn to

Centrifuges have been a big player in filtration for a long time, designed

specialized filtration companies to provide entire filtration systems.

to use g-forces to separate particles that vary in density. We use cen-

In the optical industry, especially in the United States, we have only

trifuges for many different applications. They work best when the dirt

recently seen a rise in smaller labs expanding in size. This transformation

load is heavy, such as paint sludge, sometimes heavy metal sludge, and

brings all sorts of new obstacles to overcome, making it more practical

a lot with glass manufacturing. In fact, centrifuge technology was the

to implement filtration practices from other industries.

main form of filtration in the optical industry when the lenses were

Most smaller labs got along just fine without any special equipment

made from glass.

for filtration or waste. As a lab gets bigger, however, it generates more

Since then, however, lenses started being manufactured from plastics,

waste, or plastic swarf. Swarf generated from lens grinding takes up a

which creates a much lighter swarf discharge. This is why media filtration

lot of volume, and as labs grow, we see costs such as garbage disposal,

was brought into the industry. Plastic separates much better through

hazardous waste removal, coolant, storage, and water increase. Just

some sort of medium, or media (like a coffee filter). There are all sorts of

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Sustainable Processes TECHNOLOGY

different media filters, but for manufacturing you need some type of media filter that can handle enough liquid volume for your production.

Different filtration technology offers different advantages, such as a gravity filter with a longer discharge ramp provides more time for the swarf to dewater, preventing more coolant from getting thrown away in a landfill. These offer an eco-friendlier filtration process.

Waste management and technology In recent years, the optical industry started implementing more waste management technology. Swarf compaction, for example, started as a means to reduce the volume of swarf waste, but quickly became a means to retrieve more coolant. We are starting to see labs investing Swarf being filtered in a gravity media filter system.

in briquetting technology as a goal to reduce their ecological footprint and help the environment. This has also proven to save manufacturers thousands in coolant costs per month, making it a perfect choice for sustainable manufacturing.

Briquetters The waste from making lenses takes up a lot of landfill space. Plastics, such as polycarbonate and other thermoplastics used in lens manufacturing do not decompose for hundreds of years. They are also saturated in coolant if not properly dried, which leaches into the ground. Reducing the volume of swarf waste and reclaiming coolant is what brought the briquetting technology to the optical industry.

However, the problem with briquetters is that most are not designed for optical swarf. The first few in the industry were sawdust briquetters, which proved just how difficult lens swarf is to deal with. After several years of development, there are now more options for compacting swarf and retrieving more coolant than ever. With swarf volumes being reduced to a 20:1 reduction, and squeezing nearly all coolant out of the swarf, this may be one of the most environmentally friendly advances in the industry.

Wastewater The optical industry also has to deal with wastewater and hazardous Different filtration technology offers different advantages.

materials, such as alloy water, spent polish, and other chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

Some labs simply outsource their wastewater treatment by having companies pick up their hazardous materials. This is an expensive solution and the reason why some labs pour those hazardous materials down the drain instead. As environmental regulations increase and government focuses their lens on optical manufacturing, optical labs will be forced to make some difficult decisions.

Optical is certainly not the first industry to encounter these hazards.

The same issues have been present in several other industries for many years. Filtration specialists have been creating solutions for these issues, and only in recent history did we see some of that technology spreading to the optical industry.

Wastewater filtration equipment was originally designed for much

Swarf compacted in to briquettes.

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larger industries that typically have more space and more wastewater

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Inn

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Sustainable Processes TECHNOLOGY

to treat. Technology adapted to the optical industry must be functional

A solution we offered allowed them to treat their hazardous materials

and small enough to fit in an already crowded optical lab. Due to this

with a clay based proprietary chemistry and separated it in a media

challenge, there are now new technologies available.

filter. This procedure used less energy and allowed them to process

Wastewater evaporators and wastewater treatment systems seem to be

enough every night that they would no longer need to store their waste.

the leading products available to labs currently. Evaporators – although

This solution not only made them more sustainable, but actually saved

taking time and a lot of electricity – are great for isolating hazardous

them more money.

materials and removing them from the water, making hazardous waste

In the aluminum industry, there has been a tremendous amount of

a lot easier and less expensive to deal with.

growth in recent years. Aluminum manufacturing requires fairly clean

Another wastewater treatment system uses a method that large

coolant compared to other metal industries, therefore, filtration has

wastewater treatment plants have been using for decades. They use

always been a priority. As an equipment supplier to the aluminum

an environmentally safe clay-based chemistry to latch on to the

industry, this growth is showing new trends in sustainability that we

hazardous materials in the water, separating them entirely. The hazard-

have not seen before.

ous material can then be extracted by several different filtration

Not only do these large companies use their buying power to choose

methods. One of the prominent methods is using a centrifuge, which

equipment that supports sustainability, but we also see them using

separates and condenses the waste material. This allows each lab to

their influence to change the technology their suppliers provide. Their

safely discharge the wastewater knowing it is free of hazardous

purchasing power is being used to drive change in the industry by

­materials. This technology is now conveniently provided as a turn-key

pushing the machine manufacturers to change.

system for labs to treat their own hazardous process water, with the

The major players in this industry said they will not move forward

benefit of a smaller footprint.

with the current media filtration without the promise of a reusable media. Of course, this is not a new technology, instead it has been

Sustainability in other industries

done many times in the past. However, the problem is that it was never

Although the technology available in the optical industry has come a

a true sustainable solution due to heavy maintenance and costs to use

long way, there is still a lot of waste and costs that should be addressed.

it. It also did not clean as effectively as disposable media filters.

We can learn much from what other companies have done in other

The large aluminum manufacturers forced the filtration companies

industries to address similar issues.

to re-think their technology and work towards a sustainable solution.

A vibratory finishing company had an issue with their sustainability

Today, this new technology is being installed and will be run in several

plan. They were using a distillation system to treat their hazardous

new aluminum mills. It will no doubt be passed on to the filters

materials; however, their new green initiative took a look at the process

supplied to all the other industries these suppliers provide, including

and saw how much energy the distilling was using and how much waste

the optical industry.

they were storing. The distillation system could not treat the hazardous

Another company in the wire industry had a similar story. In copper

waste fast enough to keep up with what they were producing.

wire manufacturing, the idea of reclaiming your waste has been a priority

Advertisement

Innovations for a better world.

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Sustainable Processes TECHNOLOGY

Alloy and polish before and after treatment samples.

The company NXTsolve is taking swarf briquettes and using the material to make several products.

for some time. They use large compactors to turn scrap into usable material.

for the industry. Swarf holds a prominent position on our priority list,

They also use large media filters to collect the copper sludge during the

and we have developed a processing technology to integrate swarf

manufacturing process. In the past they would purchase media rewinders,

into the production of environmentally sustainable products. We are

which collect the disposable media paper into a roll, so they can burn it

experiencing substantial collaboration efforts from industry partners

to collect more copper from the spent media paper.

as it is clear: our values align well. We maintain a commitment to

One company asked if there was a better way to collect the copper. The

ongoing innovation as we strive to broaden our contributions of value

burning of the paper was creating hazardous smoke, and the effort to

to the industry.”

clean the smoke was going to be a hefty cost. Working together, we

Recycling is a large step in making the optical industry more sustainable.

developed a method that provides better drying, scraping and blowing

With advances in other technologies, recycling swarf waste is the last

of the copper fines, so that most of the copper is removed before it rolls

step to creating a zero ecological footprint. Some labs have already

up to be thrown away.

achieved this by partnering with companies like NXTsolve, but now

This technology is now available to any industry looking to reclaim

we need more. Recycling companies can only produce as much as they

materials and has also prompted other ways to utilize waste

can sell, and therefore run into issues with expansion. If the optical

reclamation.

industry can align together and take a note from other industries, it may be possible to influence the technology and push recycling and

Where do we go from here?

sustainability forward. ◆

One of the best aspects of working at a filtration company is seeing the need for different solutions among various industries. It always surprises me when veterans of one industry have no concept of a solution that has been in existence in another industry for so long.

Technology in filtration and waste management is improving, and new solutions are becoming available. As we adopt more concepts from other industries, new technologies for smaller labs are available, giving the smaller labs the opportunity to utilize media filtration and ­compaction technology.

The wastewater treatment systems are becoming more affordable for both larger and smaller labs with some changes to the technology to support smaller labs.

Jamal J. El-Hindi Jamal is a sales and field engineer for Filtertech Inc., with a Masters of Business Administration. As the third generation of this

Recycling companies are emerging and starting to offer recycling

­f amily-owned-and-operated company, he started at an early age

options for swarf waste. One company in particular, NXTsolve, out of

building filtration equipment. After finishing his college career, Jamal

Irving Texas, is taking swarf briquettes and using the material to make several products, presently affecting a highly favorable sustainability impact within the ophthalmic industry.

Their CEO, Anders Hultman, stated “We have identified and created solutions to some of the most notable waste stream recycling challenges

14

10_Recycling Jamal.indd 14

began working as a field operator, fixing and maintaining filtration equipment across the world. With extensive knowledge of the ­mechanics and technology behind filtration, he began applying his experience in the field to engineering and design. Today, Jamal works directly with companies across the world, finding filtration solutions to meet the unique needs of multiple industries.

MAFO 5-23

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HARD COAT

CLEANING

TINTING

PERIPHERALS CONSUMABLES

EXPERTISE

Technique. Safety. Expertise.

HIGH-QUALITY TINTING FOR ALL GRADIENTS

CO10 Professional machine for high-quality tinting on all types of lenses.

The CO10, equipped with up to 10 stainless steel tinting tanks, not only tints full colored lenses. It even provides 2 -10 digital gradient systems with which you can customize the size and position of gradients. The tinting tank capacity is 5 litres, with easy removable tanks and a flexible drain with a 3-way valve. It also features full temperature control, accurate to +/- 1°C. A user-friendly HMI, complete modularity and an option for modular extraction of tinting vapors mean that the CO10 is the perfect choice for all tinting needs.

www.scl-intl.com !AZ.indd 4

HARD COAT LEADER 22.08.23 15:38

Sustainable Processes SPOTLIGHT

“There is no waste at all, only raw materials!”

An interview with Alexander Maak about the circular economy Used frames and spectacle lenses, swarf, packaging or demo lenses – all those things are waste, at least in the eyes of most consumers and companies. Alexander Maak, on the other hand, contradicts this way of thinking and says there are only valuable raw materials. The Managing Director of Interzero is an expert when it comes to the circular economy. This concept offers companies the unique opportunity to secure direct access to raw materials on the one hand, and to have a unique selling point (USP) on the other hand – and all this in the name of sustainability! MAFO talked to Maak about how this works exactly and why circular economy is rewarding for every branch. B y Hanna Diewald

Mr. Maak, you say there is no waste at all, only raw materials.

into production through cycles, to make new products out of it.

What exactly do you mean by that?

Thus, we can conserve primary raw materials and conserve the

It is quite simple: the world has to learn how to close cycles. We

earth´s resources.

consume an enormous amount of the earth´s raw materials. This year, on August 2nd, we already reached Earth Overshoot Day, the day on

That sounds good in terms of ­sustainability. But what does a

which we had already used up all of the earth´s raw materials for this

­company gain from taking part in the circular economy?

year. Since that day, we have been living off the backs of future genera-

There are many aspects. I do not think sustainability should cost a

tions. And I think, we have to stop doing this!

lot of money, as ultimately you can combine sustainability with a

This means not throwing everything away, but making raw materi-

positive business model. It has to be worthwhile, not only as a marketing

als out of what many people consider waste, and feeding it back

slogan but also directly financially.

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Sustainable Processes SPOTLIGHT

For example, if you recycle raw materials or waste so well that they become new raw materials for your own production, this has two benefits: you can save money on the purchase of raw materials and it gives you access to raw materials.

Many raw materials are not always easily available due to long supply chains or disruptions. Or you depend on the capacity of suppliers or other factors. By recycling your own waste, which becomes raw materials again, you secure access to raw materials.

This does not have to be expensive but can have a positive effect.

Is this a realistic scenario in most industries?

Yes, it is. One way or another it works in

Fig.1: Recycling pyramid.

every industry. The question is how seriously you address it. For example, if you look at the recycling pyramid (Fig. 1) the first scenario would be to avoid. That

is to get the swarf back to the starting point. That means that some

is hard to do in the eyewear industry because the consumer needs

kind of clean collection system is required. This also has to include

glasses for instance, therefore it is a product that cannot be avoided

some kind of detection system, so that different types of plastic are not mixed together.

But you could continue to use the frame and only replace the

This can be done, for example, using near-infrared scanners. For ex-

lenses ...

ample, the approx. 800,000 tonnes of yellow sacks which are recycled

Exactly, but then we would already be at the next scenarios further

each year from Interzero in Germany, are all sorted according to

down: preparing for re-use and recycling. It can also be a USP to re-

fractions such as polyethylene and polypropylene, Styrofoam, etc. with

furbish something in such a way as to create new value, and to sell it

that technology.

in the same market or in another market where you want to create a new footprint.

But what if lens manufacturers machine different materials

There are many different ways of thinking about this. It all starts

on one machine and the swarf is then all mixed up?

with the design: With which kind of material do you start? Are there

This is actually a more difficult problem. But here, too, there are methods

substitute materials? How easily can the material be recycled? Can

of separation, such as the float/sink method. Whether this is worthwhile,

it be reprocessed to obtain new properties? How do I get it back from

however, needs to be investigated by a chemist in the laboratory in

the market? Are there recycling procedures in place? For example,

each case.

are there collecting boxes at opticians for old spectacles? Where does

If separation does not make sense, then in the worst case you have to

it go from there? Are there any third markets? Or can one do anything

consider what to do with the waste. However, in my opinion, throwing

good with them? There are surely people who can not afford spectacles.

it away or simply burning it is not an option!

Looking at the matter in terms of social responsibility too is part of

For example, can you use it to make another product, where the mixture

sustainability.

is not a disadvantage? That would then be a form of down-cycling – not

Or one can return old spectacle frames, lenses and demo-lenses to the

ideal but still better than burning it.

plastics manufacturer, to turn them into new raw materials, for example in the form of granulates to create new frames out of it.

There are now spectacle lens manufacturers who offer bioplastics for lenses. What do you think of such products?

The industry also creates a lot of swarf. In your opinion, can

There are two types of bioplastics: on the one hand, there are compostable

it be recycled? And if so, what requirements would have to

bioplastics. That does not make any sense now, because there is no

be met for this?

composting plant that can recycle them. If at all, this may become

In principle, swarf can be reused. It can be returned to the original

interesting in the future, when a sensible recycling system has been

manufacturer of the material where it can be recycled. What is needed,

established.

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Sustainable Processes SPOTLIGHT

A bioplastic made from renewable raw materials, on the other hand,

With spectacles, on the other hand, we are not dealing with simple,

such as rapeseed oil or similar may make sense as it has the same

straightforward plastics but highly technical ones, which are relatively

properties as current plastics. However, considerations are very

expensive. The higher the quality of a product, the easier it is to get

specific. You would have to look at the agricultural area concerned

positive business skills out of it.

and much more. But at least it could have a positive effect on the CO2 balance.

Where do you see the greatest potential in the eyewear industry?

Suppose an ophthalmic lens manufacturer wants to enter

There are many different aspects. You can start with the packaging, and

the circular economy for the first time, what would be the

I would also include demo lenses as part of this. How does everything get

first step?

to the optician? In which package sizes? How much of the actual secondary

The first step would be to sit down with us (editor´s note: meant is an

packaging does the optician throw away? Is it possible to make it recyclable?

environmental service provider like Interzero) and discuss the technical

Mister Spex, for example, has introduced reusable boxes. Reusable packaging

aspects as well as the suppliers and customers situations: How do you

could also make sense between opticians, lens manufacturers and frame

get which material back to where it is needed and what is the goal?

suppliers. However, this would need to be standardized.

Then we would point to different ways to proceed and help to implement them and bring partner together. Compared to other providers,

Let us come to my last question: What motivates you, person-

we also lead anyone during the implementation phase and do not

ally, to go to work every day?

leave anyone alone.

That is relatively simple. I mentioned the Earth Overshoot Day earlier.

One very important general point is that no one can set up a circular

As a company, we have managed to push this calculated day back by

economy on their own! It only works in partnership. So, who needs

seven minutes and 16 seconds – globally.

to be involved? In principle, the plastics manufacturer. Then the

That may not sound much at first, but given the size of our company –

person who produces the blanks. The person who grinds the lenses

around 2,000 employees – compared to all the other companies in the

out of it, and ultimately the optician, too, if you want the material

world, it is quite an achievement!

back. And, of course, the recycling chain needs to be a closed loop,

So, I am motivated by doing something good. I am trying to leave a

so you need someone to coordinate it all.

better world for my children than I found it and I like to spread this

That is what we do at Interzero. We coordinate the various logistics

idea. I recently gave a talk to 6- and 7-year-olds at an elementary school

flows, processing flows, the retrieval, the legal aspects – waste disposal

and they understood immediately. That was awesome!

regulations, for example, are not always easy either. So, we bring all the partners together and control the system.

We too have understood. Thank you very much for this interview about the circular economy. ◆

How can companies be motivated to enter the circular economy?

An extreme approach is regulation by the legislator. For example, if it were stipulated by law that spectacle lenses must contain a specific amount of recycled material. This is currently being discussed for cars, for example. In the case of spectacle lenses – i.e. medical products – this scenario is rather unrealistic.

However, in the EU there are duties or taxes on plastics that are difficult to recycle. This could mean that at some point in the future, if you do not recycle plastic, your product would be more expensive. This could act as a regulation-driven, monetary incentive.

Putting this aside, I find it a much more important and elegant solution when companies create a USP by becoming sustainable and climateneutral. That is something that all consumers can appreciate!

Thirdly, I think it is essential to secure good access to the raw material and to establish a recycling procedure. Today, for example, everyone is talking about electric cars which require cobalt and nickel. These materials come from the Congo, Afghanistan or Russia, which are not

About the interviewee Alexander Maak is Managing Director at Interzero - zero waste solutions-, an full-service environmental service provider. Maak has over 20 years of leadership experience and enabled several organizations to achieve a peak performance and exceptional growth and new

reliable sources of supply. So, if you are able to recycle the batteries,

business. He has also international experince in Continental Europe,

this will give you a real strategic advantage.

UK, USA, Middle East and Asia.

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TECHNOLOGY

Picture: Bühler Coating

Anti-reflex coating and process control Gaining control of process parameters by digital means. An approach to reduce scrap and rework.

International competition fuels manufacturing cost reduction, where scrap and rework land an immediate impact. Savings along this line of attack need dedicated process improvement, which in turn requires detailed knowledge of process parameters and their effects on a successful process result. Complex process chains, like anti-reflex (AR) coating, with their extremely large number of influencing parameters pose a considerable challenge for process engineering. By successively introducing tools of digitalization, and by merging them with deep process understanding, engineering will be enabled to take proactive measures before scrap or rework actually happen. A cooperative project of an equipment supplier, a lens manufacturer, and a university research group reached exciting results on the road to digitalization. B y Peter Weber

T

o stand their ground in the harsh environment of inter-

Manufacturing costs reduction

national competition, manufacturers of ophthalmic lenses

On a first glimpse the approach via procurement of costs reduction

need to increase their efficiency continuously. Material

seems to be a low hanging fruit: put some pressure onto your suppliers

procurement costs on the one hand and labor costs on

and harvest annual cost reductions. Still, to accomplish this without

the other are the main drivers to directly reduce production costs.

getting trapped in quality issues, a considerable investment into a

Being successful there leaves a company in the comfortable situation

straight supply-chain management organization is essential.

to choose: increase margin, or increase competitiveness (by reducing

Especially for technologically driven companies a promising parallel

selling prices).

approach is the deep-dive into one’s own processes. Increasing the

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efficiency of manufacturing processes will

Parameter 1

Parameter 2

Effect of scrap and rework on cost

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Talking about process quality inevitably leads

Parameter 3

Parameter 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

directly reduce production costs. In industrialized economies the key figure of efficiency is, for good reason, output per laborer. This means that via smart investment in automation, digitalization, and process quality, companies will reduce labor costs and subsequently reduce overall production costs.

to scrap and rework. The good message about scrap and rework is: if reduced, it directly reduces both labor costs as well as procurement costs. And thus, it directly reduces overall production costs, i.e. better margin or competitiveness.

Any part that gets scrapped, already contains raw material to be scrapped. And any such part has gone through a considerable section of the process chain already, having piled up labor and machine costs. The effect of rework often is even more dramatic, as there is not only additional labor and machine time to be wasted. Even more, the unscheduled effort

Fig. 1: Control charts of four exemplary process control parameters for 10 batches. The black dotted line denotes the average, the red dotted lines mark the warning and control limits respectively of each parameter. In our thought experiment batch 7 is out of specification. The control-chart approach obviously helps to locate root causes. Adjust parameter 3 in the future and prevent this scrap/rework event to reoccur.

severely disturbs the regular production flow, creating work overload at

takes measures, whenever one of the parameters is violating an upper

the workplaces as well as in job preparation and shop-floor scheduling.

or lower warning limit.

In the example of figure 1 there might also be anticipated an issue

Control charts – be proactive

with parameter 1, as it seems to have a tendency upwards, maybe violat-

There is one obvious and yet sometimes omitted fact: just by detecting

ing the upper warning limit in a few batches. With sensibly chosen

scrap and rework, it is not prevented or reduced. To accomplish that,

warning limits, the process engineer can already proactively adjust

one needs to identify root causes. Here comes into play what you all

processes before any scrap or rework actually is produced.

know as control charts. The tracking of all those parameters along the process chain, which may influence the final product quality. Tracking

Systematic process control needs effort

these process control parameters makes it possible to correlate fluctua-

Now, in a real industrial environment with complex process chains,

tions of certain control parameters to scrap or rework.

one deals with an enormous amount of possibly relevant control pa-

Look at the example in figure 1: You see four control charts, each

rameters. This is the bitter pill to swallow: effort is needed, to make as

representing one crucial control parameter of a particular process for

many of the crucial parameters measurable and accessible to a digital

the last 10 batches. It turns out in final inspection, that part number

database as possible.

7 was not in specification, i.e. scrap. The process engineer could now

While there is no (or few) process data available (because no data acquisi-

easily grasp at a glance that the deviation of process parameter 3 might

tion is in place yet) no digital system can help at that point. An overall

well correlate to the out-of-spec situation of part 7.

process parameter analysis has to be carried out by means of deep

Now, the process engineer does not only know that part number 7

process-engineering know-how, to judge which of the parameters actually

needs to be scrapped. He can localize the problem, with a certain

are relevant, and how to measure and acquire them digitally.

probability, on process parameter 3 and take measures. By such experi-

The less manual steps there are along a process chain and the higher

ence, as well as by statistical means, warning limits for the control

the degree of automation is, the less effort it takes to acquire the data.

parameters are defined and continuously adjusted.

Nowadays machines usually come with a set of integrated sensors and

Practically this means, that a process engineer (or in best case even

interfaces, to digitally get access to process and machine data. For older

the operator) is regularly keeping an eye on the control charts and

machines and manual process steps the effort is gradually higher.

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TECHNOLOGY

Benefits in ophthalmic lens production

You buy this advantage at the expense of transmission. At each interface

The process chain of eyeglass production spreads over the full range

of these high-index materials you lose 8% of light intensity. In total

from basic manual to fully automated work steps. Subsequently, it is

only 84% of the incident light would reach the eye. With a good anti-

a considerable challenge to cover it completely with digital data

reflex coating a transmission of up to 99.5% can be accomplished.

acquisition.

Thus, for practical as well as cosmetic reasons, an anti-reflex coating

Particularly the anti-reflex coating process features a blend of manual

is standard for ophthalmic lenses. The wearer of the glasses gets a

and automated process steps. Within a systematic approach, the first

clearer vision and a better contrast. In communication with other

focus is put on the automated part of the process: coating in the vacuum-

people there are no (or considerably less) disturbing reflexes interfering

coating machine. A state-of-the-art vacuum coater measures, collects,

with eye contact.

and provides a wide range of digital machine and process data, which

An additional emerging feature of anti-reflex coatings is the selective

are, in principle, easily to be accessed for process control.

filtering in the blue region of the visible light spectrum. This is a response

Dr. Stephan Küper of Bühler Leybold Optics, provider of vacuum

to increasing exposure of our eyes in daily life to LEDs and TV or computer

coaters for ophthalmic industries, confirms the potential behind the

monitors, which is often perceived as distracting and exhausting.

coating process in terms of digital data acquisition. His project team has pushed this topic considerably in the last two years. In cooperation

Composition of anti-reflex coatings

with the research group for Industrial Data Science (INDAS) at Frankfurt

Anti-reflex coatings are so-called dielectric coatings. Such a coating

University of Applied Sciences, and optoVision, manufacturer of

consists of a sequence of several sub-microscopically thin dielectric

ophthalmic lenses, a big step forward was made in terms of systematic

(non-metallic, i.e. transparent) layers of different refractive indeces

acquisition, presentation, and evaluation of process data.

(alternating high and low index).

Although it is well known that the flanking manual processes cause

The trick is to tune the thickness and the refractive index of each layer

the larger part of scrap and rework, there is big potential in further

in a way that you get destructive interference between the back-reflected

stabilizing the coating process itself. There are advanced types of

light of the different layer interfaces. Thus, the reflected light is cancelled

coating where process stability still is a challenge. And generally, for

out and all incident intensity (ideally spoken) is transmitted.

the benefit of matching lenses from different batches (with respect to

The desired layer thicknesses range in the order of or below 100 nm

color of residual reflex), better process control is highly desirable.

(which is the 10,000th part of a millimeter). Additional features must be integrated: E.g. a cap layer on top is needed to protect the thin-film

Anti-reflex coating of ophthalmic lenses

system from ambience over life-time and an interface layer at the

Anti-reflex coatings are a major feature of any ophthalmic lens. At an

bottom makes sure that the system permanently adheres to the substrate

interface between two optical media (air, lens) back-reflection occurs.

(i.e. the lens). Altogether this may result in up to 10 or more layers of

For an untreated standard glass roughly 4% of the incident light is

different materials and different thicknesses, which need to be precisely

reflected. Front as well as back side interface suffer from the effect, so

deposited onto the lens.

you end up with losing a total of 8% of intensity. This holds for a “classical glass” with a refractive index of typically 1.5. To design

Operation of a vacuum coater

thinner lenses, material with a refractive index of up to 1.8 is used.

The single layers of an anti-reflex coating consist of different dielectric materials. These silicon-oxide and metal-oxide layers provide an alternating system of high/low refractive index. For deposition on the

One valuable outcome was the finding, that the period between cleaning cycles of the vacuum coaters could be considerably prolonged, significantly increasing the uptime and productivity of the machines.

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substrate (the lens), coating material is heated and subsequently evaporated in a crucible at the bottom of a vacuum chamber. The lenses are positioned at the top of the chamber.

In vacuum, the evaporated atoms or molecules propagate (ideally undisturbed) from the bottom to the top and deposit on the lenses, growing a thin film. The heating and evaporation of the material is usually accomplished by an electron beam being targeted at the material.

The thickness of the deposited film on the lenses is mainly controlled by the length of exposure via shutter and by the rate of evaporation via electric power of the beam.

Basically, there are two different approaches. One possibility is to directly evaporate the oxide material onto the substrate. The other is to evaporate the pure silicon or metal, and create an oxygen plasma in the chamber, which reacts with the evaporated material, forming the

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TECHNOLOGY

Fig. 2: Exemplary control chart from Bühler Leybold Optics database cockpit. The data shown here simulate the cycles of increasing pump-time from batch to batch till next cleaning run simulated data, as no real customer data can be shared here.

desired oxide film on the lens. In both cases the stoichiometry, the

means: time resolved process and machine data for each coating run

composition of metal and oxide, significantly controls the refractive

(batch). These data can be fed into a database and be evaluated to gain

index of the respective layer.

better control of the process. Although relatively comfortably available, it is not yet state-of-the-art, to use these data on a big scale. One reason

Key parameters of the AR coating process

for that is the lack of proper interfaces into a comfortably usable database.

Key output parameters of the AR coating process are: low residual

This is now provided by the team of Dr. Küper.

reflex, correct color of residual reflex, no significant surface defects, and, finally, adhesion of the coating over lifetime.

Level I of digitalization

The three first-mentioned are usually judged in a visual inspection,

When digital data acquisition is in place for the relevant parameters,

while the latter is checked in an accelerated life-time test and via

the next challenge is to plot them in an expressive way. Technically

customer-complaint statistics. Key process parameters for the fulfilment

spoken, process parameters span a vast multidimensional space of

of these output parameters are the thicknesses of each layer and their

variables, which depend on time, on batch number, and in many cases

refractive indices (stoichiometry).

on each other. And there are two classes of variables: first the process

While the thickness is directly accessible from measured data, the

control parameters, and second the output parameters, where the

refractive index is not. It is controlled indirectly by other process

former shall be tuned to optimize the latter.

parameters. And even though the thickness is measured directly, it is

Level I of digitalization is accomplished when process engineering is

controlled by several more parameters.

provided with an interactive cockpit where they can flexibly get access

This leads to a complex multiplicity of parameters, which need to be

to any representation of the data. It has to be possible to pick just any

tuned properly for a successful outcome of the process (pressure over

pair of parameters and plot them against each other in a chart. This

time, power of the electron beam over time, partial pressures over

helps to find correlations between parameters, particularly between

time, time of exposure, cleanliness of the vacuum chamber, to name

control and output parameters. Furthermore, parameters can be plotted

just a few).

over time or over batches to make visible significant changes and possibly correlate them with certain events (e.g. from the machine log,

Big data needs digitalization

e.g. cleaning or maintenance).

The coating process provides us with a load of relevant process control

Plotting parameters over batch finally leads to the classical control

parameters to deal with. A state-of-the-art vacuum coater comes

chart, where by statistical means, the stability of each process parameter

off-the-shelf with the sensory system and the digital interfaces to

can be tracked. Dr. Küper showed that his team accomplished to provide

straightforwardly get access to these data. “These data” precisely spoken

a full-scale cockpit in this sense (see example in figure 2). Process

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TECHNOLOGY

Level III of digitalization With level I and level II digitalization in place, process engineering is able to react proactively to violation of warning limits of control parameters. This presumes that the influence of each control parameter onto the output parameters is known. In real life, this is not the case.

One is confronted with a large number of control parameters, and for many of them, the correlation towards the output parameters (specifications) is at best vaguely known. Here comes into play the third level of digitalization. It introduces algorithms, which check all parameters for correlations with any other.

This may include inter-correlations between the control parameters, but particularly focuses on correlations between each control parameter and the output specifications.

The result of this algorithm is a classification Process control parameters show important information that can help users to optimize processes.

of how much each process parameter actually influences one or more output specifications.

This information is invaluable for proactively

engineers can click through the data, choose parameters, choose

controlling the process. It helps a great deal to focus engineering activi-

graphical representations, choose scale, zoom in, zoom out, jump

ties on the right parameters. Also, with respect to cost or cycle time

between different graphs, to get the best overview on the interdependen-

reduction as well as new products´ development, these data can be

cies between the parameters.

most useful.

The statistical tools for control charts are implemented. Furthermore, warning and control limits could be edited individually for each pa-

Level IV of digitalization

rameter. This first level of digitalization already provides engineering

Finally, machine-learning comes into play. A machine-learning al-

with an enormous head start. With this set of information, one does

gorithm can be fed with available process data and predicts the

not just react on scrap and rework events when output parameters are

outcome of the process, i.e predicts whether the output parameters

already off specification. Proactive measures can be taken already when

will be met, or not (scrap or no scrap). The research group Industrial

control parameters start to become critical – before scrap and rework

Data Science (INDAS) at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

actually occur.

tuned their machine-learning algorithms on this challenge.

They got the opportunity to feed the algorithm with long-term real

Level II of digitalization

process data from optoVision, manufacturer of lenses and partner

As stated before, in complex manufacturing environments, process

in the cooperation. After teaching the algorithm with historic process

engineering is confronted with an enormous amount of possibly relevant

data (process control as well as output parameters, so called labelled

parameters. It is unrealistic to assume that the resulting control charts

data), it was possible to predict whether a particular coating run

can be checked on a sufficiently regular basis visually.

produced an in-spec or an out-of-spec batch. After each coating run

The second level of digitalization provides algorithms, which check

its process data were fed into the algorithm, and the outcome predic-

all the control charts automatically for violations. Obviously, level I

tion was afterwards counter-checked by standard quality-control

needs to be in place.

procedure.

From a data science point of view this is just if-then-else queries. The

As Peter Ludewig, Head of Department IT/IS at optoVison, points out,

bigger challenge is to have the proper workflows and the qualified

one valuable outcome was the finding that the period between cleaning

personnel in place for action: in case of violations of control limits,

cycles of the vacuum coaters could be considerably prolonged, signifi-

the relevant engineers get informed automatically. They would then

cantly increasing the uptime and productivity of the machines.

jump into the situation with their process know-how and decide upon

According to Prof. Schäfer of Frankfurt University’s INDAS group,

necessary measures of stabilization.

expectations towards machine-learning still need adjustment.

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U D

R

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TECHNOLOGY

Machine-learning is not a silver bullet which answers all questions

equipment manufacturer, producer and researchers can actually be.

without further effort. It is definitely a powerful tool but often the black

Bühler Leybold Optics will now make the interface available for custom-

box nature of standard machine-learning algorithms requires further

ers within the scope of their service packages. The joint project will

human insight. And particularly, this project showed: although all the

continue to implement further features of level III and level IV digi-

data were basically available, there was a considerable effort to be invested

talization successively. ◆

by optoVison’s engineering team to classify the data in a technologically meaningful way before finally getting good results from the machinelearning algorithm.

KI – the answer to all questions?

A widespread vision is an “artificial intelligence”, where to enter your problem, and get the proper solution suggested right away. In manufactur-

Interview partners 1. Dr. Stephan Küper, Director & Head of Business Unit Technology Parts, Bühler Leybold Optics GmbH stephan.kueper@buhlergroup.com 2. Peter Ludewig, Head of Department IT/IS, optoVision GmbH ludewig@optovision.de 3. Prof. Jörg Schäfer, Research Group Industrial Data Science (INDAS), Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences jschaefer@fb2.fra-uas.de

ing, the challenge of this task is a lot about process understanding, about grasping cause and effect, about metrology and data acquisition.

In most cases, there is a lot of “old-school” process analysis to be done before digitalization with its full potential can actually kick in. An algorithm only yields useful answers when asked meaningful questions.

Conclusion The database and its engineering interface, as presented by Dr. Küper and his team, are a successful realization of level I and level II digitalization. They provide a full-scale cockpit for comfortable and flexible navigation as well as graphical representation of the coating process’ complex parameter space.

The team of Frankfurt University’s INDAS group succeeded in the proof of principle that by teaching a real-life extensive dataset, provided and interpreted by lens manufacturer optoVision, their machine-learning algorithm was able to predict the outcome of single coating runs based on their individual process data. All three partners in unison judge the project as great example of how rewarding a collaboration between

Peter Weber The author is professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt and acts as journalist in the field of science and technology.

In the past he managed production and engineering departments in semiconductor and ophthalmic industry. peter.weber@fb2.fra-uas.de

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TECHNOLOGY

Picture: Frank Sonnenberg

Thickness and weight of ophthalmic lenses Possibilities to reduce the parameters via software Ophthalmic lens weight is a rarely considered parameter when purchasing spectacles, both by opticians and end customers, even though too heavy spectacles may feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, much attention is paid to the thickness of the lenses, as thin spectacles are considered high-quality by the public. Let us discover the relationship between thickness and weight of ophthalmic lenses and the possibility of reducing these parameters via software. B y Gaetano Volpe and Pasquale Fanelli

T

he relationship between weight and thickness in oph-

In ophthalmic optics, materials are often recognized by their refrac-

thalmic lenses is far from obvious. First, we have to

tive index, a dimensionless number that identifies the optical

consider all the factors that contribute to determining

properties of the medium. In fact, the optical power of a lens is

lens weight and thickness: material of construction, lens

determined solely by its shape and its refractive index. Leaving

diameter (size), shape of the front and rear lens surfaces. Ophthalmic

aside the mathematical discussion on the refractive index, we need

lens material can be divided into two major categories, mineral

only to consider that the higher this number is, the more the material

lenses, made of glass materials, and organic lenses, made of plastics

is able to deflect light beams (altering the ray vergence) and for this

polymers. Nowadays, mineral lenses have almost completely fallen

reason a lens made of a high-index material will be thinner (at the

into disuse, so let us consider organic ones.

same optical power).

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TECHNOLOGY

Although it is easy to understand the relationship between index and thickness (higher index leads to thinner lenses) the same cannot be said for lens weight: as the refractive index increases, the material density also increases.

Figure 1 shows the average density in grams per cubic centimeter for the main organic materials classified by their refractive index; obviously the denser the material, the greater the weight in a given volume.

High-index lenses occupy less volume as they are thinner, but are they heavier because the material is denser? Does the reduction in thickness always compensate for the increase in density, resulting in lighter lenses? We try to respond using optical calculation software.

Refractive index, weight, and thickness To investigate the relationship between these parameters, we must make comparisons for different optical powers; therefore, we calculate

Fig. 1: Density of the most common organic materials with their ­refractive indexes, expressed in grams per cubic centimeter.

the weight and thickness of ophthalmic lenses with powers ranging from +8 dpt. to -8 dpt., with 1 dpt. steps. To simplify the analysis,

Software optimization

we consider circular lenses with a diameter of 65 mm, and we impose

Besides refractive index considerations, we cannot ignore software

that all the lenses have a flat outer surface (outer base has 0 dpt. optical

algorithms that can improve thickness and weight of ophthalmic lenses

power). In this way we only investigate concave plane or convex

by refining the surface calculation process. In the first production

plane lenses and thus eliminate the problem of choosing the outer

phase the software determines the minimum diameter needed to

base curvature.

manufacture the required lens, calculates the dioptric surface, and

Figure 2 shows the negative lens weight values in grams as the optical

therefore determines the lens thickness (the volume and consequently

power varies for each refractive index. In this graph there is a significant

the weight can be derived accordingly).

reduction in weight when comparing 1.5 refractive indices with 1.6

This process can sometimes be optimized using an elliptical calculation

­refractive indices for each optical power, indicating that in this case the

method, or by exploiting advanced thickness optimization technologies.

lens thickness reduction can easily compensate for the increase in density.

Comparing a refractive index 1.6 with 1.67, on the other hand, the

Elliptical calculation

weight reduction becomes more subtle, and you need at least -4 dpt.

The elliptical calculation, also called pre-calibration, consists of using

power to appreciate a 0,5 g weight reduction between these two refractive

an ellipse rather than a circumference when determining the minimum

indices.

diameter required to produce a lens. Let us try to understand step by

Moreover, using refractive index 1.74 does not result in lighter lenses,

step how this is achieved.

compared to 1.67 and when the power is lower than -6 dpt., the lenses

First of all, the frame shape must be registered to start the calculation,

are even slightly heavier, meaning that the reduction in thickness

together with the centering data (interpupillary half-distance, mounting

cannot compensate for the increased density. Nevertheless, lenses

height). The software starts by fitting this shape within a circle, that

produced with 1.74 refractive index material have a significantly lower

identifies the semi-finished that will be used to produce the lens. In

edge thickness in all cases as shown in figure 3, although the advantage

this stage, the semi-finished center is aligned with the lens optical

is greater for higher optical powers.

center (determined by the centering parameters).

For positive lenses, similar considerations can be drawn from the

Next, it is necessary to determine the minimum possible diameter to

graphs in figures 4 and 5. However, in this case, the data are less reliable

produce the lens, since the smaller the diameter, the lower the lens

since we have simplified the analysis by considering only lenses with

weight, the thickness and the production costs will be. To derive the

an outer surface of 0 dpt. (plano-convex lenses). In fact, negative

minimum diameter, the software applies an optimal decentration

lenses are often constructed with flat outer surface (so our data are

(within a threshold range) by aligning the frame shape geometric center

reasonably reliable), while the choice of outer base curvature can

with the semi-finished center. Then it reduces the circle diameter until

significantly vary the weight and thickness of a positive lens.

it touches the lens shape edge. Thus, the minimum (circular) diameter

These considerations are far from obvious, as in the past when mineral

to produce the lens has been determined and the lens can now be

lenses were mainly employed, using high-index glass materials meant

produced (Fig. 6-a, thickness graphs in millimeters).

producing significantly heavier lenses, and people had to accept this

The elliptical calculation can now be made by reducing the vertical

drawback in order to have thinner and thus more aesthetically

diameter of the circle until it reaches the frame shape, thus inscribing

pleasing spectacles.

it in the optimal ellipse (Fig. 6-b).

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TECHNOLOGY

Fig. 2: Negative lenses weight in relation to power and refractive index, diameter is 65 mm, front power 0 dpt.

Fig. 3: Negative lenses thickness in relation to power and refractive index, diameter is 65 mm, front power 0 dpt.

Fig. 4: Positive lenses weight in relation to power and refractive index, diameter is 65 mm, front power 0 dpt.

Fig. 5: Positive lenses thickness in relation to power and refractive index, diameter is 65 mm, front power 0 dpt.

Figure 6 shows the difference in lens thickness between the spherical

the ocular prescription, putting this zone of the peripheral visual

(6-a) and elliptical (6-b) calculations, with the center thickness decreas-

field out of focus.

ing from 6.24 mm to 5.20 mm, and the edge thickness also decreasing

This technology can be taken to the next level by governing the curvature

both at the thickest point (in red) and at the thinnest point (in blue).

change through the frame shape, and this is the core of the Crea Size

However, it is important to note that this software optimization is only

2.0 algorithm that we developed. Leveraging Crea Size 2.0 technology

effective on positive astigmatic lenses that have the highest positive

it is possible to further reduce lens thickness, by implementing a light

power across the vertical meridian; in fact, the lens shown in figure 6

and thin lenticularization that follows the frame shape in its most

has the following power: sph. +4,50 dpt. cyl. -2,50 dpt. axis 90°.

peripheral edge, affecting vision as little as possible.

The results of this calculation method can be seen in figure 6-c, where

Advanced calculation methods

the center and edge thicknesses result even lower than those calculated

Unlike the elliptical calculation, advanced optimization algorithms

with the ellipse (Crea Size 2.0 center thickness is 4,65 mm vs 6,24 mm

aimed at reducing lens thickness are usually effective for both positive

for standard calculation and 5,2 mm for elliptical calculation). Naturally,

and negative lenses. Furthermore, there is no unique method to

this also leads to lightening the lens, as you have reduced the lens

reduce lens thickness, as it is possible to approach the problem in

volume (while maintaining the same material).

various ways.

Classically, lenticularization is used to reduce high dioptric power

Conclusions

lens thickness. Lenticularization consists of a very rapid curvature

Using lens calculation software, we verified that the relationship between

change at the lens edge so that the surface is rounded, blunted.

lens weight and thickness is not obvious, since high-index materials,

However, in that lens area the optical power deviates greatly from

which generate thinner lenses, are also the densest. So, increasing the

28

26_Software_thickness_ProCrea.indd 28

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TECHNOLOGY

refractive index does not always reduce lens weight, although a thickness reduction is always present. Using simplified calculation, we presented weight and thickness data for positive and negative lenses with varying power from +8 dpt. to -8 dpt., to draw general considerations.

In addition to the refractive index variation, it is possible to reduce the thickness of ophthalmic lenses by exploiting software optimization algorithms.

The elliptical calculation process, which is very effective in positive toric lenses, was explained in detail to gain awareness of how thickness reduction is achieved in those cases. We also showed how Crea Size 2.0, an advanced algorithm that is an evolution of classical lenticularization, succeeds in obtaining even lower thickness values than the elliptical calculation. These considerations come handy in our daily work, as lighter eyeglasses are often more comfortable and more in harmony

Φ 69.99 / 69.99 mm F 69.99 / 69.99 mm

with a person's daily life. ◆

Φ 74.25 / 64.25 mm F 74.25 / 64.25 mm

Gaetano Volpe Gaetano Volpe is a Computer and Automation Engineer. He is a co-founder and Head of Research & Development at ProCrea Tech, freeform lens design company based in Italy. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical and Information Engineering with the Polytechnic ­University of Bari. He has a long-time experience in optimization algorithms and lens design.

Pasquale Fanelli

Φ 69.99 / 69.99 mm F 69.99 / 69.99 mm

Pasquale Fanelli is an optometrist from University of Salento. He works as product specialist for ProCrea Tech and DAI Optical Industries, Italian ophthalmic lens manufacturer. He also practices as an ­optometrist in a private clinic and his fields of interest are freeform ophthalmic lenses and advanced contact lenses.

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Fig. 6: Thickness simulation comparison between standard minimum diameter method (a), elliptical calculation (b), advanced calculation with Crea Size 2.0 (c); refractive index is constant n= 1,6 and optical ­power is: sph. +4,50 dpt. cyl. -2,50 dpt. axis 90°.

29

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SPOTLIGHT

One drop and you regain the vision of a 20-year-old?

Presbyopia treatment with eye drops It sounds too good to be true. One drop on the surface of the eye and you can see as well as you did a few years ago. This is the dream of several U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers. In recent years, they have made some groundbreaking advances in the pharmacological treatment of presbyopia. This article provides an overview of the latest developments and their practical applications. B y Lena Petzold

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SPOTLIGHT

The best-known study was published in 2019 in the International Journal of Ophthalmic Research, showing sustained improvement in near vision for at least eight hours and an average improvement in line visual acuity of at least five levels, as measured by the Jäger visual chart.

Side effects, such as eyebrow pain or loss of distance vision, which were shown in other studies, were not documented. Currently, the pharmaceutical company Visus is in the second phase of clinical trials with the drug.

Vuity The Allergan company, part of the pharmaceutical manufacturer Abbvie, has developed and produced the drug Vuity – also known as AGN-190584 – which was approved by the FDA in 2021. The drug consists of a 1.25% solution of pilocarpine.

In this context, pilocarpine is a parasympathomimetic and is thus used as a miotic (to induce contraction of the pupil). The drops are supposed to take effect within 15 minutes and last up to six hours.

Initially developed as a treatment for glaucoma, the effect is now also used for the treatment of presbyopia. The effect behind it comes from stimulating the smooth muscle of the iris, causing the iris to smooth out and the pupil to narrow. At the same time, aqueous humor outflow is increased by contraction of the sphincter pupillae muscle.

Besides the contraction of the pupil, the positive effects of pilocarpine are the resulting pinhole disc effect together with the accompanying improvement in depth of field and pseudo accommodation.

On the other hand, the retina receives less light from distant objects, for example due to the pupillary contraction. Thus, light from near objects is not overlaid and can be more sharply focused on the retina. However, there may be side effects such as headaches and eyebrow pain.

Furthermore, vision may be darkened, leading to a negative impact on the ability to drive at night. In this connection, the effect of “Vuity” pilocarpine drops was investigated both for its effectiveness and for its safety.

The best-known study is called Gemini 1, in which the primary and secondary endpoints of the third phase have already been met. In this study, 323 participants were given either the pilocarpine drops or a

Brimochol

placebo solution. One drop was administered to each eye once a day

The first drug expected to improve near vision over a longer period of

for a period of 30 days. Documented side effects that occurred during

time is Brimochol. It was developed and produced by the pharma­ceutical

the study were headaches (>5%). At the same time, a drop-out rate of

manufacturer Visus Therapeutics in Irvine, California (USA). Brimochol

1.2% of the participants also occurred.

is a combination of Carbachol and Brimonidin.

Another finding of the study was an improvement in near and inter-

The former reduces the pupil diameter, whereas the latter increases

mediate vision of at least three lines. This was found to be the case in

the duration of the effect and reduces side effects in comparison to

a significantly larger proportion of the presbyopia subjects. In addition,

other active ingredients. Because of this, the drug has already been

it was also shown that distance vision was not affected by treatment

approved for further development by the Food and Drug Administration

with Vuity.

(FDA), the U.S. health authority.

A further study carried out with these pilocarpine drops showed that

When administered once a day, Brimochol is said to optimize near

30% of the test persons were able to see at least three visual lines better

vision for at least eight hours. This has already been tested in six different

than prior to the study. The eye chart was positioned at the normal

studies involving over 200 test persons.

reading distance of one arm's length.

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SPOTLIGHT

CSF-1

contractions of the iris leading to a change in myopia. A combination

CSF-1 is the drug produced by the Israeli pharmaceutical company Orasis

of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with miotics offers

Pharmaceutics. Like Vuity, the active ingredient consists of pilocarpine

a solution. The NSAIDs produce an anti-inflammatory effect in the

and a diverse carrier solution. However, at 0.4% the dosage of pilocarpine

anterior uveal tract. As a result, side effects, such as the previously

is lower than that of the other drug. To test the eye drops, the company

mentioned or spasmodic ciliary contractions, pigment dispersion as

carried out two studies with a total of more than 600 subjects.

well as posterior synechiae, can be reduced.

The studies called NEAR-1 and NEAR-2 both represent phase three

In 2012, Benozzi et al. investigated the effect of pilocarpine (1%) as

clinical trials. They are multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-

well as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac

group studies conducted with the objective of evaluating the efficacy

(0.1%, analgesic). The study showed that the subjects had no blurred

and safety of CSF-1.

visual perception either at a distance or in the intermediate range.

One group of subjects received one drop of CSF-1 bilaterally in both

Furthermore, no inflammatory reactions relating to the drugs concerned

eyes twice a day. This drop administration procedure was repeated for

were observed in the 100 persons involved.

two weeks in this case. The comparison group received a placebo which was also administered twice a day for two weeks.

Conclusion

“Both studies met their primary and secondary endpoints on day eight,

The idea of treating presbyopia using eye drops represents an interesting

achieving a statistically significant gain of three lines or more in distance-

alternative to existing vision correction methods, due to the non-invasive

corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) and no loss of one line or more

and potentially reversible approach. In the coming years, the various

in distance visual acuity,” said the company on its official website.

pharmaceutical manufacturers, currently testing their products in

Side effects that occurred as a result of treatment with the drug included

parallel clinical trials, will publish their results regarding efficacy and

headaches and pain in the eyes after administration of the drops. The

safety. In particular, long-term tolerance is a major issue in this context,

former occurred with an incidence of 6.8%, the latter with an incidence

in order to be able to detect at an early stage any side effects which

of 5.8%. Moderate adverse effects were reported by 2.6% of the par-

might subsequently arise as well as any potential reactions with other

ticipants but were not discussed further in the statement.

(ocular) drugs. ◆

Currently, the FDA is reviewing the company's New Drug Application (NDA) with a decision expected in mid-October. The application is for the potential new approval of the tested drug for the U.S. market.

Mode of operation of the drug In his 2020 publication on drug treatment of presbyopia, Andrzej Gryzbowski, PhD, described the two main mechanisms underlying the therapy. Drugs that reduce pupil diameter, leading to miosis, thereby enhance the depth of field. This can be technically described by spherical aberration, in which rays far from the axis are refracted more strongly than rays close to the axis. In simple terms, this creates a depth of field range in which objects are seen more sharply.

Another effect, associated with the extended depth of field, is that of the pinhole effect. Due to the narrowed pupil, fewer rays from the edges reach the retina, so that less light interference reduces the contrast.

The extent of pupil miosis is regulated by the parasympathetic system, which controls the contraction of the ciliary muscle as well as the iris.

In this context, the ciliary muscle has an effect both on the shape and on the position of the lens inside the eye.

The parasympathetic system can be affected by drugs. Examples of such drugs are physostigmine as well as carbachol and pilocarpine already mentioned. Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist and, in addition to the positive effects mentioned above, stimulates tear production by promoting secretion from the lacrimal glands as well as contraction of the ciliary muscle.

However, disadvantages of this drug, for example, may be chronic inflammation of the front part of the eye, a fixed pupil, or spasmodic

32

30_Augentropfen versus Presbyopie.indd 32

Lena Petzold After graduating from high school in 2018, Lena Petzold began her bachelor's degree in optometry at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena, graduating in October 2021 and immediately continuing with her master's degree in the same month. In 2022, she had the opportunity to present her bachelor thesis at the American Academy of Optometry. On the side, she has also been working at JenVis Research since 2021.

MAFO 5-23

07.09.23 09:37

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OptoTech Optikmaschinen GmbH Sandusweg 2-4 35435 Wettenberg / Germany Phone: +49 641-98203-0 Email: info.de@optotech.net Web: www.optotech.net

26.07.23 11:49

SPOTLIGHT

Using virtual reality simulations to analyze properties of electro-optical glasses.

Focusing on natural, healthy and clear vision Ten years of research at the Zeiss Vision Science Lab Since its foundation in October 2013, the Zeiss Vision Science Lab has been conducting research into the physiological neurosciences and optical principles of human vision, and regularly publishes its findings on the key aspects of its work: myopia, presbyopia, visual rehabilitation and (trust in) artificial intelligence.

Time to visit the research lab and take a look behind the scenes. B y Julia Baier

P

rofessor Dr. Siegfried Wahl opened a glass door labeled

milestones of the Zeiss company, and on the right there is a series of

`Zeiss Vision Science Lab´ and entered a long corridor:

laboratories. Dr. Wahl welcomes his team.

“´Enabling natural and enhanced vision´ is the motto

Since the foundation ten years ago, he has been in charge of the research

adopted at the time of the lab's foundation and we have

facility, which is located at the Institute for Ophthalmic Research in

remained true to this ideal right up to the present time,” he explains.

Tübingen (Germany). Established as part of the Excellence Initiative,

On the left side there is a giant mural, documenting the historic

sponsored by the German Federal Government and the federal states

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SPOTLIGHT

to foster science and research, the ´Industry on Campus´ professorship has been managed jointly by Carl Zeiss Vision International and the University of Tübingen.

“Our goals are, on the one hand, to create a natural vision experience with eyeglass lenses, and on the other hand to conduct research into the conditions needed for clear, healthy vision and its development,” explains Prof. Dr. Wahl. “Spanning both these goals is the fundamental understanding of visual perception, as apart from ophthalmology, the University of Tübingen is particularly recognized and renowned across the world as a leader in the neurosciences. There are still many questions about the complex eye-brain-system and the individual factors of human vision that

Setup to measure the focusing properties of special eyeglass lenses that are used to slow down the progression of myopia.

need to be better understood.”

It all started with a team of three people. In addition to Prof. Dr. Siegfried Wahl, Dr. Katharina Rifai and Dr. Arne Ohlendorf have been involved with the Zeiss Vision Science Lab from the beginning. Today the facility employs about 20 people.

With a total of nine post-doctoral research scientists as well as several PhD students and undergraduates, the international team has a solid foundation. They are all working on ´application inspired research´.

“For every research idea, there must be a clinical need and a product vision, from which the research question is inspired that substantiates the product,” describes Dr. Wahl.

Application inspired research

Complex objective measurements on an optical setup with wavefront laser scanning.

“We adopted one of the first systematic analyses of eye movements for eyeglass lens design when developing the Zeiss DriveSafe eyeglass lenses specifically for driving,” recalls neuroscientist and physicist Dr. Katharina Rifai. Currently, she is in the laboratory performing eye tracking recordings in one of a total of six laboratory rooms at the Zeiss Vision Science Lab. A test subject sits in a chair and looks at an image on a monitor. His chin is supported on a chin rest mounted on a table. A camera records his eye movements. Dr. Rifai stands next to him watching a second monitor analyzing his eye movements.

“We use eye tracking both in the laboratory and in a variety of behavioral situations in our research into visual behavior. In this way we can, for example, draw conclusions about which areas of an eyeglass lens are used in which visual situations.”

This research approach was also applied in the study aimed at developing an eyeglass lens specially for drivers. The study used special cameras

For every research idea, there must be a clinical need and a product vision, from which the research question is inspired that substantiates the product.

to record the eye movements of test subjects when driving in a real life

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SPOTLIGHT

environment.” The examination of the choroid is just one example of the many different myopia research techniques to be found in the Zeiss Vision Science Lab. Myopia has been one of the most important research fields since the lab was established ten years ago. Dr. Arne Ohlendorf, a research scientist specialized in myopia development, emphasizes this point, “Even before the lab was established, Zeiss worked together with experts drawn from myopia research, so that Zeiss was in a position to offer eyeglass lens solutions customized to meet specific needs. Myopia has been one of the central research areas at the Institute for Ophthalmic Research in Tübingen for several years, which enabled us to work closely with them right from the start.”

As a result of the increasing prevalence of progressive myopia, research into this condition Professor Dr. Siegfried Wahl, Head of Zeiss Vision Science Lab.

has become much more relevant, particularly in recent years, and is now a subject attracting world-wide attention.

scenario. “A number of different signals were recorded during the trip,

This form of short-sightedness usually occurs in early childhood and

for example, videos of the driver's face and the environment observed

can continue into early adulthood. Pronounced growth in the length

when driving.

of the eyeball is often the cause. Although progressive myopia cannot

By using eye tracking technology, movements of the driver's head and

be halted, growth of the eye can be slowed.

eyes were extracted. The combination of head and eye movements is

In addition to measures such as regularly spending time outdoors and

important for eyeglass lens design, as this combination determines

reducing the amount of near-vision tasks, special eyeglass lenses and

how the lens is used,” explains Dr. Rifai. “A further example of view-

contact lenses in particular can make an important contribution to

optimized design is the Zeiss SmartLife eyeglass lens. Eye tracking

the proper development of the eye.

eyeglasses were employed to identify special areas of the lens used

While the progressive form of short-sightedness is indeed predominant

during cellphone usage in everyday situations,” she explains. The lens

in Asia at the present time, a significant increase in the frequency of

designs Zeiss DriveSafe and Zeiss SmartLife, which were developed

this type of short-sightedness has also been observed elsewhere. That

from the findings of these studies, have been successfully established

is why this year the company launched Zeiss MyoCare, a myopia control

in the market.

lens, in Europe as part of Zeiss Myopia Management.

The Zeiss Vision Science Lab was involved in the development of the

Myopia as a research focus

MyoCare eyeglass lenses right from the start. “When developing new

Another laboratory just along the corridor is the Visual Optics Lab.

eyeglass lenses such as myopia control lenses, we work closely not only

Here, a test subject sits in front of an ophthalmic imaging instrument

with our colleagues in Zeiss Vision Care but also with international

for optical coherence tomography, otherwise known as an ´OCT instru-

scientific institutions and eye hospitals,” explains Dr. Ohlendorf.

ment´, and looks into the instrument with one eye.

Examples of such collaborations are the long-term study with the

Dr. Katharina Breher, a specialist in physiological optics, stands next

University of Leipzig (the 'LIFE Child' study), joint clinical studies

to the instrument watching its monitor and analyzing the image it has

with the University Eye Hospital of Wenchou in China and research

created. This image shows the eye's retina and the choroid located

partnerships with the University of Murcia in Spain.

behind the retina.

One of the results is the recent joint development with Professor Pablo

“The choroid is a biomarker. The reason is that it consists of a tissue

Artal of the University of Murcia of a new instrument based on spatial

that reacts very quickly to external influences,” states Dr. Breher. “This

light modulation technology. The instrument made the optical

property, which makes it possible to reduce the time frame needed for

quantification of eyeglass lenses for the treatment of progressive myopia

studies, is very helpful when testing a range of eyeglass lenses such as

possible for the first time under real viewing conditions – a success

myopia control lenses. This is particularly advantageous in the clinical

story that merited publication in a prestigious journal.[1]

36

34_Vision Science Lab Zeiss.indd 36

Q S F S

w p

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SPOTLIGHT

Validation studies for ophthalmic measuring instruments

life through the use of artificial intelligence. A further goal of our

As well as studies aimed at developing new eyeglass lens designs, the

explains Dr. Wahl. The technologies are tested in complex studies

research institute also conducts validation studies of ophthalmic

involving test subjects and patients.

measuring instruments. These studies also form part of the responsibili-

Even if it sometimes appears that there is little scope left for research

ties of the Visual Optics Lab where some of the ophthalmic measuring

into human vision, this is not the case. “There is a surprisingly large

instruments designed ‒ such as the Zeiss Visufit 1000 or Zeiss i.Profiler

number of aspects of visual perception still to be resolved,” according

research is to increase confidence in systems with artificial intelligence,”

plus for objective refraction ‒ stand alongside the OCT instrument.

to Dr. Wahl. “We will not be short of research projects in the future.” ◆

The specialists of the Vision Science Labs and the Vision Technology Solutions Department of Zeiss Vision Care work closely together on validation studies for new ophthalmic measuring instruments.

The requirements placed on the new instrument are formulated by the

References: [1] https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.486389

Vision Technology Solutions team, after which a study is designed and conducted by the Vision Science Lab. Every ophthalmic measuring instrument developed by Zeiss goes through this extensive testing procedure in this scientific facility as early as the development phase and is also validated well before market launch.

Artificial intelligence in the field of vision In addition to the the premises in the Institute for Ophthalmic Research, the Vision Science Lab is also represented in the Artificial Intelligence Research Building in Tübingen. Here, under the direction of Professor Dr. Siegfried Wahl, the team concentrates its research activities on three major topics: (trust in) artificial intelligence, smart algorithms for eyeglasses with electronically modifiable properties and a universal

Julia Baier

artificial intelligence interface for robust brain-computer or mancomputer interaction.

The prediction of behavior and use of the eyes as a window into the brain are of great importance in this work. “In our research we are looking at opportunities for offering people an enhanced quality of

QUALITY & SAVINGS FROM STOCK

Julia Baier is Manager International Public Relations at Zeiss Vision Care. This article was written on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Zeiss Vision Science Lab and is intended to give an impression of the topics the research facility is focusing on.

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Sustainable Processes BUSINESS

The IDG framework for people and organizations Shaping a sustainable and future-proof working world We all wish for a healthy and sustainable world – in our private lives as well as in our work environment.

But wishing alone is not enough. We have to do something – individually and collectively –, as soon as possible! Continuing as before is not an option if we want to survive as people, as a local society and as a global community in the long term. By Britta Butz

T

he last few years have shown: the way we shape life and

look at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Inner Develop-

the economy is leading us to ruin. So simple and frighten-

ment Goals (IDGs) and their five dimensions.

ing at the same time is what is happening right now.

Rightly, organizations are focusing on issues such as

Big pictures

work-life blending, collaborative corporate culture and gender equity

From the individual to the company focus and ultimately the world. The

for sustainable development.

IDGs invite us to change our perspective and rethink. Instead of putting

In 2015, the UN adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

the burden of the world on ourselves, we think about our personal resources

These are designed to support the achievement of a more sustainable

and how we deal with them in our immediate environment.

and equitable world by 2030 and encompass a broader range of social,

What role can, indeed must, companies and organizations play in this?

economic and environmental issues. But what is the state of play on

What big waves would a rethinking of leadership in particular make? In

meeting these ambitious goals?

the following, we will look at the Inner Development Goals or the five

In summary, an official United Nations report indicates “many of the

main dimensions precisely from these aspects.

SDGs are moderately to severely off track” and “the promise of all countries healthy, thriving planet [...] is in jeopardy.”

First dimension being: relationship with oneself

Incidentally, a similar picture emerges in many companies with regard

Let us start with the most important relationship in everyones

to the transformation that is also urgently needed. Many of the goals

life, the relationship with ourselves. What if we really listened

that were once set so enthusiasti-

to our inner compass, followed the good/bad feeling in our

to work together to secure the rights and well-being of all people on a

cally come to nothing, others are caught up in or overtaken

If we approached things again, like a child, with openness

by current developments.

and curiosity? Are we ready to get to know ourselves, with

That is why I would like to take a

38

38_IDG-MMPR.indd 38

gut more often?

all positive and negative facets, and to keep learning more and more?

MAFO 5-23

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Sustainable Processes BUSINESS

The human being: Meet yourself in thought, at an age of 90 years.

Organizations: Organizations often have to declare budget plans

What wisdom would you have? What would you say to yourself, what

obsolete on January 2 because of unpredictable things that happen in

tips would you give to your current self for the rest of your life? This

this world. What if we could manage to form a structure that is aligned

exercise helps you to find out what is really important for you and to

with that and still let us follow a long-term and meaningful vision? In

go your way authentically.

which we can critically question ourselves as an organization including

Leaders/teams: As a leader, do I have a realistic self-image of my

routines and processes and establish something new that can withstand

leadership abilities? Most of the time we give ourselves imaginary

this complex world?

feedback. Reflecting is important, but more importantly, how does my Do we want to face this feedback and learn from it? Show that we

Third dimension relationship: caring for others and the world

also have a hard time dealing with critical voices, but are willing to

Let us imagine a world in which we feel truly connected to our fellow human

work on ourselves?

beings and the environment. A world in which we put ourselves, our ego,

team really see me as a leader?

Organizations: What would companies look like, if they had a willing-

and even our needs aside for once. But not forgetting to treat ourselves as

ness to learn and a healthy culture of mistakes? How about a “Fail(ure)

well as everyone else with goodwill at the same time. To be grateful for what

or FuckUp Night” to look at our mistakes with lightness and the goal

is and what we have and to face life with ease despite suffering.

of sharing our learning?

The human being: Let us connect mentally with our (actual or imagi-

Couldn´t this open doors, prevent subsequent mistakes, and create a

nary) descendants. How do you want to leave this world to them? What

safe environment for all?

will the lives of our children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces look like in 40 years if we continue as we are? Will they still have a livable

Second dimension thinking: cognitive skills

and lovable place to live? Will they have fulfilling and inspiring jobs?

We are not talking about traditional general knowledge here. Rather, we

What do we need to do today to create the world we want for them?

are talking about being able to take different perspectives. Being aware

Leaders/teams: Unfortunately, there is an entrenched view that only

that we live in a complex world in which connections, mechanisms and

our professional ego has a place in the work environment. When in

patterns are no longer easy to recognize. Not only to think and act in the

fact we are human beings with feelings and thoughts that can hinder

short term, but to commit to long-term visions and to persistently pursue

us, but in which there is also incredible potential. What if we created

them. This ability is needed to make sustainable and essential decisions.

a space where we could share our whole personality with others?

The human being: The realization that we cannot foresee and plan,

Worries and fears as well as joy and gratitude?

understand and simply solve everything opens up new spaces. Spaces

Organizations: What would a company look like where all employees

in which we begin to critically question ourselves and everything else.

feel connected and work towards a common goal? Different opinions

In which we are forced to engage with other perspectives in order to

can coexist peacefully and the ego can be sent to the bench? Appreciation

thereby create more clarity. In which we are allowed to experiment in

is a matter of course and we can engage with our colleagues with empathy?

order to learn and move forward.

This requires new structures and decision-making mechanisms.

Leaders/teams: What would a team look like in which we succeed in creating an orientation and vision that is not just about shortterm success? With a leader who manages to keep the big

Fourth dimension collaboration: social competencies

picture in mind to truly achieve long-term success

Let us imagine a world where we value all the different perspectives,

and create value.

cultural backgrounds, ways of working, knowledge and different strengths of everyone. A world where we are able to bring all the different competencies together in an effective way. A world where we trust everyone to do their best.

The human being: Every person in this world sees the same world from a different – his or her very individual – perspective. Everyone has different thoughts, feelings and reactions when looking at one and the same situation or object. A very far-reaching insight, because it helps us to better understand ourselves and our fellow human beings.

New spaces of collaboration open up and we are ready to learn from other approaches, different values and cultures.

Leaders/teams: What would it look like if we felt safe to share our perspectives in a team – without our views and suggestions being judged? We talk about “psychological safety”. In this safe environment,

MAFO 5-23

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08.09.23 16:03

Sustainable Processes BUSINESS

there is room for genuine, honest, and appreciative collaboration.

Organizations: What would it be like to work in a company with

Especially when the leader dares to show his or her vulnerable side

room for unusual ideas? Where we do not have to wait 10 weeks for

and brings personal aspects to the discussion – allowing team members

a signature before we can try something out? Where we can start

to open up as well.

experimenting again like children and discover and experience

Organizations: What would a company look like in which best inten-

incredible things? In which innovation is allowed to develop and

tions are first assumed? An organization in which spaces are created

traits such as perseverance, optimism and creativity are really

to bring together all the different knowledge and skills to work towards

appreciated and lived?

a common goal? In which the goal is not to impose one's own idea, but to work together with all our beings, knowledge and skills to

Conclusion

find the best solution?

Being fit for the future means helping to shape change. We can only do this if we continue to develop ourselves. The IDGs are an inspiration

Fifth dimension action: driving change

for each individual, but also offer a good opportunity to exchange ideas

The best attitude, the most creative ideas, always remaining reflective

with other people. Via dialogical intelligence, we come to the overall

and being at peace with oneself – in addition to these aspects of

societal perspective and back to the SDGs. In the end, it is a combination

thinking and being, which are undoubtedly very important, it is

of everything that we use to create a healthy and sustainable world

above all crucial that we get into action. We need people who stand

together – in our private lives as well as in our work environments, in

up for their values and insights. A world in which we allow ourselves

organizations as well as in our global community. ◆

to persistently push forward unusual ideas, are optimistic, and do not let headwinds get us down.

The human being: You have something you really want to advance? Then try the WOOP method : Wish, Objective, Obstacles, Plans. You will notice that this not only helps you to proceed in a structured way, but also increases the probability of a real and successful implementation considerably.

Leaders/teams: As leaders and teams, let us get involved in an experimental set-up more often. Simply try out ideas, whether original or classic. Without, as usual, making plans for weeks and months. Why

Britta Butz

not get into action quickly, learn fast and adapt? Like riding a bike or swimming. We understand the theory of how to move – yet it boils

Dr. Britta Butz, Future Work Catalyst at LIVEsciences, earned her

down to try & fail & learn until we get the hang of it.

doctorate in economics on the topic of corporate social responsibility.

Since then, she has focused on using holistic approaches to align the needs of employees and the environment with corporate goals to achieve long-term, sustainable success for all. Using new organizational models, such as Teal, and the Journey to Self, she guides her clients out of the hamster wheel and into a more meaningful corporate world with pragmatic solutions. https://www.livesciences.com

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08.09.23 16:03

!AZ.indd 21

04.07.23 09:46

MARKET SURVEYS

Bühler Alzenau www.buhlergroup.com

AR coating machines Leybold Optics CCS 610+

Leybold Optics CCS 700

BOXER 900

Small labs ( < 100 L/shift)

x

x

/

Medium sized labs (100 - 3.000 L/shift)

/

x

x

Mass production labs ( > 3.000 L/shift)

/

/

Application

Lens materials AR coating including mirror coating

all materials x

Technical data

x

Further special coatings (please specify) Top coatings (hydrophobic, oleophobic, superhydrophobic)

x

x

x

Top coatings from separate thermal source

o

o

o

In-chamber tinting full color (absorption coating)

/

x

x

Gradient tinting color

/

/

/

Productivity HMC+ Ø 70 (avg. lenses/h ) [both sides coated]

35

47

96

Process time [both sides coated] (minutes)

70

60

48

Dome, Flip-over system

Full dome/segment capacity Ø 70

48

Flip-over capacity segment Ø 70

16

High-vacuum pump system (type) High-vacuum pump system (capacity L/s) Gate valve (in case of turbomolecular pump)

Cryogenic booster pump with Meissner trap Weight (kg / lbs) Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm / inches] (machine without conveyor) Flip-over

3 segments 60

96

36

N/A

Turbo pump

2x2

2050 L/s /

/ single stage 100m³/h

Roughing pump system (capacity m3/h)

Process

x

anti-fog

Dome/segment number of sectors

Features

/ all materials, mineral

/ single stage, dual pump 2x100 m³/h

x

x

x

1200 / 3300

1350 / 3640

2200 / 4850

2260 x 1150 x 1310 / 89 x 45 x 52

2260 x 1150 x 1450 /89 x 45 x 52

1800 x 1900 x 2100 / 70 x 73 x 83

o

o

/

PVD (physical vapour deposition)

x

x

x

CVD (chemical vapour deposition)

/

/

/

Second distribution mask

/

/

x

Electron beam gun (number of pockets/kW)

7 / 3kW

7 / 3kW

10,13 / 5kW

Ion source (kW)

0.4 kW

0.4 kW

1 kW

Plasma source (kW)

/

/

/

Number of vacuum measurement systems

4

4

4

Optional heater (kW)

/

/

x 2.6 / o 5.2kW

single

single

single / dual / 6-fold

LMS connectivity

o

o

o

Manufacturing Execution System

o

o

o

Top loader, Standard coatings

Top loader, High end coatings

High end coatings

Monitoring by Quartz-crystal/optical

Further information Legend: Yes = x, No = /, Optional = o

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42_SurveysAR.indd 42

MAFO 5-23

08.09.23 12:48

2

p

MARKET SURVEYS

Bühler Alzenau www.buhlergroup.com

BOXER 1100

SYRUS 1100

BOXER 1100+

SYRUS 1100+

BOXER 1350

/

/

/

/

/

x

x

x

x

x

/

/

/

/

x

all materials, mineral x

x

x

anti-fog

x PE-CVD, anti-fog

x anti-fog

x

x

x

x

x

o

o

o

o

o

x

x

x

x

x

/

/

o

o

o

150

150

150

150

250

42

42

42

42

44

4 segments / others

Dome. 4 segments. Planetary system

4 segments 144

252 / 200

N/A

N/A

N/A

o

o

Turbo pump

Diffusion pump

Turbo pump

Diffusion pump

Turbo pump

2x2050 l/s, 3rd optional

12000 L/s

2x2050 l/s, 3rd optional

12000 L/s

2x 4200 L/s

/

N/A

/

N/A

x

multi stage 500 m³/h

double stage 300 / 1000 m³/h

multi stage 500 m³/h

double stage various capacity

multi stage 500 m³/h

x

x

x

x

x

2800 / 6173

3300 / 7275

3000 / 6614

3500 / 7700

4500 / 9900

2000 x 2650 x 2200 / 79 x 104 x 87

2000 x 2900 x 2200 / 79 x 114 x 87

2000 x 2650 x 2200 / 79 x 104 x 87

2000 x 3900 x 2500 / 79 x 153 x 98

2400 x 3300 x 2500 / 94 x 130 x 98

/

/

o

o

o

x

x

x

x

x

/

/

o

o

/

x

x

x

x

x

7,8,10,13 / 5kW

10,13 / 5kW

1 kW

1 kW (o)

/

/

4

8kW (o) / others

1 kW 8kW (o) / others

/

x 2.6 / o 5.2, 7.8kW

x 2.6 / o 5.2kW

4/o x 2.6 / o 5.2kW single / dual / 6-fold

4

single / dual / 6-fold / optical

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

High end and premium coatings.

Backside topcoat evaporator (o)

MAFO 5-23

42_SurveysAR.indd 43

Highly customizable to customer requirements.

High end and premium coatings

single / dual / 6-fold o o Top line. Planetary system for highly curved substrates (o). High end coatings

43

08.09.23 12:48

MARKET SURVEYS

Bühler Alzenau www.buhlergroup.com

AR coating machines Leybold Optics ECS 1350 TMP

Leybold Optics ECS 1350

Leybold Optics MIR 1200

Small labs ( < 100 L/ shift)

/

/

/

Medium sized labs (100 - 3.000 L/shift)

x

x

x

Mass production labs ( > 3.000 L/shift)

x

x

Technical data

Application

Lens materials AR coating including mirror coating

all materials, mineral x

x

Further special coatings (please specify)

anti-fog x

x

x

Top coatings from separate thermal source

o

o

/

In-chamber tinting full color (absorption coating)

x

x

x

Gradient tinting color

o

o

o

Productivity HMC+ Ø 70 (avg. lenses/h ) [both sides coated]

250

250

200 single side coated

Process time [both sides coated] (minutes)

44

44

Dome/segment number of sectors

Dome. 4 segments. Planetary system

Drum

Full dome/segment capacity Ø 70

252 / 200

296

75

Flip-over capacity segment Ø 70

o

o

N/A

High-vacuum pump system (type)

Turbo pump

Diffusion pump

Turbo pump

High-vacuum pump system (capacity L/s)

2x 4200 L/s

20000 L/s

2x 2050 L/s

Gate valve (in case of turbomolecular pump)

x

N/A

x

Roughing pump system (capacity m3/h)

multi stage or double stage 500m³/h or 300/1000m³/h

double stage 300 / 1000 m³/h

double stage 65 / 505 m³/h

Cryogenic booster pump with Meissner trap

x

x

Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm / inches] (machine without conveyor) Process

x /

Top coatings (hydrophobic, oleophobic, superhydrophobic)

Weight (kg / lbs)

Flip-over

4500 / 9900

x

2400 x 3300 x 2500 / 94 x 130 x 98

2400 x 3600 x 2500 / 94 x 130 x 98

2700 x 2200 x 2400 / 106 x 87 x 94

o

o

/

x

x

x

CVD (chemical vapour deposition)

/

/

/

Second distribution mask

x

x

o

10,13 / 5kW

10,13 / 5kW

8,10 / 5kW

1 kW

1 kW

glow discharge

Plasma source (kW)

/

/

/

Number of vacuum measurement systems

4

4

4

x 6kW

x 6kW

Ion source (kW)

Optional heater (kW) Monitoring by Quartz-crystal/optical

single / dual / 6-fold

x

o

o

o

Manufacturing Execution System

o

o

o

Performance line. Planetary system for highly curved substrates (o). High end coatings

Drum coater for highly curved substrates. For fashion applications

Legend: Yes = x, No = /, Optional = o

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42_SurveysAR.indd 44

780

single

LMS connectivity

Further information

si

4900 / 10800

PVD (physical vapour deposition)

Electron beam gun (number of pockets/kW)

Features

x all materials

MAFO 5-23

08.09.23 12:48

H coa co

0

ved pli-

COTEC

OptoTech

www.cotec-gmbh.com

www.optotech.net

HCS 100P-UH

OAC 25 Plus

x

x

x x all materials / mineral

all materials/mineral

/

x

/

anti fog

x

x

x / / 400/h 12 minutes

50

2

1

100

14

100

8 Turbo pump

/

2300 L/s

/ single / Rotary vane pump (800 l / min.)

40 m 3/hour

/

optional

300 / 661

895 / 1974

780 x 950 x 1950 / 31 x 38 x 77 700 x 1600 x 1950 /28 x 63 x 77 /

x

x

x

/ / /

3 Kw

/

1,6 KW

/ 1

3

/

x

/

single

/ / High quality hydrophobic coatings for various surfaces in combination with our DURALON products

ready for 4.0

WATCH VIDEO

MAFO 5-23

!AZ.indd 9 42_SurveysAR.indd 45

29.08.23 12:48 12:40 08.09.23

MARKET SURVEYS

OptoTech www.optotech.net

AR coating machines OAC 60

OAC 75

OAC 75 SP

Small labs ( < 100 L/ shift)

x

x

x

Medium sized labs (100 - 3000 L/shift)

x

x

x

Mass production labs ( > 3.000 L/shift) Application

Lens materials AR coating including mirror coating

all materials/mineral x

x

Further special coatings (please specify) Top coatings (hydrophobic, oleophobic, superhydrophobic)

anti fog

anti fog, mirror gradient

x

x

Top coatings from separate thermal source In-chamber tinting full color (absorption coating)

x

x

x x

x

Gradient tinting color

x x

Technical data

Productivity HMC+ Ø 70 (avg. lenses/h ) [both sides coated] Process time [both sides coated] (minutes)

70

70

80

Dome/segment number of sectors

1

3

4

Full dome/segment capacity Ø 70

34

60

40/60

Flip-over capacity segment Ø 70 High-vacuum pump system (type)

Turbo pump

High-vacuum pump system (capacity L/s)

2300 L/s

Gate valve (in case of turbomolecular pump) Roughing pump system (capacity m3/h)

40 m 3/hour

410 m 3/h

380 m 3/h

Cryogenic booster pump with Meissner trap

yes

yes

yes

Weight (kg / lbs)

Process

Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm / inches] (machine without conveyor)

1345 / 2966

1650 / 3638

2700 / 5953

800 x 1720 x 2000 / 32 x 68 x 79

1000 x 1998 x 2070 / 40 x 79 x 82

1520 x 3200 x 2200 / 60 x 126 x 87

x

x

x

Flip-over PVD (physical vapour deposition) CVD (chemical vapour deposition) Second distribution mask

x

Electron beam gun (number of pockets/kW)

3 Kw

6 Kw

2 x 6KW

Ion source (kW)

3,2 Kw

3,2 Kw

3,2 Kw

Number of vacuum measurement systems

3

3

4

Optional heater (kW)

x

x

x

Features

Plasma source (kW)

Monitoring by Quartz-crystal/optical

single / multiple

single / double / multiple

LMS connectivity Manufacturing Execution System

Further information

ready for 4.0

Special Version: Gradient and mirror gradient possible

Legend: Yes = x, No = /, Optional = o

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42_SurveysAR.indd 46

MAFO 5-23

08.09.23 12:48

MARKET SURVEYS

OptoTech

Quantum Innovations

www.optotech.net

www.qtmi.net

OAC90 Plus

OAC 140 Fast

OAC 140SP

x

x

x

Fusion M 140 L/shift

all materials/mineral x

All including glass

x

x

anti fog

All AR and Mirror coatings

anti fog, mirror gradient

x

x

x

oleophobic, superhydrophobic

x

x

x

yes

x

x

x

no

x

no 18 lenses/hr both sides coated

70

60

80

3.33 minutes a lens

3

6

6

1 lens per time, lock load system

90

240

168/240

2 x Turbo pump

Diffusion pump

Turbo pump

2300 L/s

20000 L/s

x x

410 m 3/h

1300 m 3/h

1300 m 3/h

yes

yes

yes

1800 / 3969

4800 / 10583

1500 x 2400 x 2250 / 60 x 95 x 89

x

4920 / 10847 2350 x 3550 x 2340 / 93 x 140 x 92

x

x 1500 lbs 64 x 45 x 72 inches

x x

6 Kw

6 Kw

2 x 6KW

3,2 Kw

3,2 Kw

3,2 Kw

3

4

4

x

x

x

multiple plasm sources

e

single / multiple

single / double / multiple x ready for 4.0

and

Special Version: Gradient and mirror gradient possible

MAFO 5-23

42_SurveysAR.indd 47

Electrical: Phase: 3 Phase Voltage: 208VAC. Current: 25A Line/Mains Frequency: 60Hz Wiring Connections: 3 Phase, 5 Wire L1‐ L 2‐ L 3‐ N ‐ G , NEMA L22‐ 3 0P Electrical

47

08.09.23 12:48

MARKET SURVEYS

Satisloh www.satisloh.com/ophthalmic/

AR coating machines 900-TLX

1500-X

1200-DLX-2

x

x

Small labs ( < 100 L/ shift) Medium sized labs (100 - 3000 L/shift)

x

Mass production labs ( > 3.000 L/shift)

Technical data

Application

Lens materials AR coating including mirror coating

x

x

x

Further special coatings (please specify)

Antistatic Broadband AR - Ultimate-2, Premium, Protect-Blue, Protect UV, Protect Complete. Dichroic mirror, & Metallic Mirror

On request

Anti-Fog, Protect-Blue, Protect UV, Protect Complete, Premium Drive, Protect Infrared and In-chamber tinting

Top coatings (hydrophobic, oleophobic, superhydrophobic)

x

x

x

Top coatings from separate thermal source

x

x

x

In-chamber tinting full color (absorption coating)

/

/

x

Gradient tinting color

/

/

x

Productivity HMC+ Ø 70 (avg. lenses/h ) [both sides coated]

129

246

219

Process time [both sides coated] (minutes)

23 (single side coating)

30 (single side coating)

23 (single side coating)

Dome/segment number of sectors

3

6, 7

6

Full dome/segment capacity Ø 70

99

305/246

209/168

Flip-over capacity segment Ø 70

/

/

120

High-vacuum pump system (type)

Turbo pump Mag. Lev.

Diffusion pump

Diffusion pump

High-vacuum pump system (capacity L/s)

3050 l/s N2

30000 l/s

20000 l/s

Gate valve (in case of turbomolecular pump)

yes

/

/

Roughing pump system (capacity m3/h)

root + rotary double stage (2030 m 3/h)

root + rotary double stage (2030 m 3/h)

root + rotary double stage (2030 m 3/h)

Cryogenic booster pump with Meissner trap

x

x

x

2675 kg / 5897 lb

3900 kg / 8598 lb

3637 kg / 8018 lb

1824 x 2585 x 2304 / 72 x 102 x 91

2384 x 3295 x 2765 / 94 x 130 x 109

2171 x 3145 x 2440 / 85.5 x 123.8 x 96

Flip-over

/

/

x

PVD (physical vapour deposition)

x

x

x

CVD (chemical vapour deposition)

/

/

/

Second distribution mask

/

/

/

Weight (kg / lbs) Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm / inches] (machine without conveyor) Process

All organic materials and mineral glass

Electron beam gun (number of pockets/kW)

Features

/

/

Number of vacuum measurement systems

3

3

3

Optional heater (kW)

6

18

22

Monitoring by Quartz-crystal/optical

/

Double Crystal Quartz Head x

x

x

MES-360 Lite included: Daily reports pre-established KPI. Track machine utilization. Production throughput. Top five errors

Tr

Further information Legend: Yes = x, No = /, Optional = o

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42_SurveysAR.indd 48

160

0,9

Plasma source (kW)

Manufacturing Execution System

roo

6 / 6kW

Ion source (kW)

LMS connectivity

An UV

MAFO 5-23

08.09.23 12:48

Prootect g

e

MARKET SURVEYS

Satisloh

Schneider

www.satisloh.com/ophthalmic/

www.schneider-om.com

MC-380-x-2

MC-280-x x

x

EBC 500

EBC 600

x

x

x

x

All organic materials and mineral glass

all materials/mineral

x

x

x

x

Anti-Fog, Protect-Blue, Protect UV, Protect Complete, Premium Drive and Protect Infrared

Anti-Fog, Protect-Blue, Protect UV, Protect Complete, Premium Drive.

x

x

x

x

x

x

/

x

x

/

x

x

x

/

/

/

68

27

24

36

26 (single side coating)

30 (single side coating)

70

70

3

3

1

1

74/60

30/27

32

42

/

antifog….

42

14

Turbo pump

Turbo pump

/

1900 l/s N2

1250 l/s N2

o

/

/

x

root + rotary double stage (2030 m 3/h)

rotary double stage (65 m 3/h)

rotary double stage (63)

rotary double stage (65m 3/h)

Magnetic turbo pump -2200

x

x

o

x

1453 kg / 3203 lb

1150 kg / 2535 lb

950 kg

1250 kg

1609 x 2157 x 2195 / 64 x 85 x 87

1453 x 1481 x 2124 / 57 x 58 x 84

800 x 1750 x 2220 32 x 69 x 87

1572 x 1100 x 2700 62 x 46 x 82

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

x

8 / 6kW

8 / 6kW

7/3kW

12 / 3kW

0,3

0,3

0,2kW

0,2kW / 0,4kW

/

/

/

/

3

2

1/2

2/3

9

5 Single Crystal Quartz Head

x

x

MES-360 Lite included: Daily reports pre-established KPI. Track machine utilization. Production throughput. Top five errors

MAFO 5-23

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o (2kW)

x (2kW)

quarz, single

quarz, single or double

x

x

x

x

49

08.09.23 12:48

MARKET SURVEYS

Schneider www.schneider-om.com

AR coating machines EBC 900 Small labs ( < 100 L/ shift)

x

Medium sized labs (100 - 3000 L/shift)

x

EBC 1400

Mass production labs ( > 3.000 L/shift)

x

Technical data

Application

Lens materials AR coating including mirror coating Further special coatings (please specify) x

x

Top coatings from separate thermal source

x

x

In-chamber tinting full color (absorption coating)

x

x

Gradient tinting color

/

/

Productivity HMC+ Ø 70 (avg. lenses/h ) [both sides coated]

82

205

Process time [both sides coated] (minutes)

70

70

Dome/segment number of sectors

3

5

Full dome/segment capacity Ø 70

96

240

Flip-over capacity segment Ø 70

72

140

High-vacuum pump system (type)

Magnetic turbo pump single or double TMP

Magnetic turbo pump double TMP

High-vacuum pump system (capacity L/s)

-4300

-8600

Gate valve (in case of turbomolecular pump)

x

x

Roughing pump system (capacity m3/h)

single (300m³/h)

single (300m³/h) / roots 1000 m³/h

x

x

1800 kg

5050 kg

1863 x 1937 x 2027 73 x 63 x 85

2741 x 1700 x 2640 108 x 98 x 104

Flip-over

x

x

PVD (physical vapour deposition)

x

x

CVD (chemical vapour deposition)

/

/

Second distribution mask

x

x

12 / 3kW

12 / 6kW

0,4kW / 1kW

1kW

Weight (kg / lbs) Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm / inches] (machine without conveyor)

Process

x antifog….

Top coatings (hydrophobic, oleophobic, superhydrophobic)

Cryogenic booster pump with Meissner trap

Electron beam gun (number of pockets/kW) Ion source (kW) Plasma source (kW) Features

all materials/mineral x

Number of vacuum measurement systems Optional heater (kW)

/

/

2/3

4/5

x (4,8,12kW)

Monitoring by Quartz-crystal/optical

x (4,8,12,16kW) quarz, single or double

LMS connectivity

x

x

Manufacturing Execution System

x

x

Further information Legend: Yes = x, No = /, Optional = o

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Suppliers Guide The Suppliers Guide is MAFO’s version of Yellow Pages.

In it you can find an overview of suppliers from the fields of: ▶ cleaning and hard coating equipment

▶ lenses

▶ coating equipment

▶ machinery – automation, control & packaging

▶ crystals

▶ machinery – lens edging & industrial edging

▶ laser engraving & printing

▶ software

▶ lens surfacing machinery

▶ surfacing and finishing consumables ▶ vacuum coating materials

If you are interested in an entry in the Suppliers Guide, please contact Mrs. Classen: constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com

Cleaning and hard coating equipment

Coating equipment

Bühler Alzenau GmbH

Business Area Leybold Optics Siemensstrasse 88, D-63755 Alzenau T + 49 (0) 6023 500-0, F + 49 (0) 6023 500-150 leyboldoptics@buhlergroup.com www.buhlergroup.com

optics@fisa.com

www.fisa.com

Hard coating ad:

Crystals Pub FISA - Optical World 88x40.indd 1

14/12/2021 16:49

World leaders in Lens Hard Coating Machines and process solutions Full range available for any production volume Expert advice on your application

contact us: (+44) 1462 49 16 16 sales@optimal-technologies.com

Cleaning ad:

optimal-technologies.com

HARD COATING CLEANING

HARD COAT LEADER

TINTING CONSUMABLES EXPERTISE

271 rue Laszlo Biro Archparc FR-74160 Archamps Phone : +33 (0) 450 820 720 Email : office1@scl-intl.com scl-intl.com

World leaders in Ultrasonic Cleaning Machines prior to lens coating

UV Curable Hard Coat Adhesion On All Lenses Tintable Non-Solvent Based AR Coating Compatible Sales, Distributors Wanted Shipping Worldwide www.hcoating.com sales@hcoating.com

QUALITY & SAVINGS FROM STOCK • Sensor Heads and Feedthroughs • INFICON Deposition Monitors and Controllers • Quality Crystals® • Vacuum Pump Fluids • Vacuum Measurement Gauges • Electron Beam Gun Parts • Ion Source Parts

www.filtech.com 617-227-1133 • 800-743-1743 paula@filtech.com

Full range available for any lens volume Expert advice on your application

Contact us for our full range: +44 (0) 1462 491 616 sales@optimal-technologies.com

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www.optimal-technologies.com

MAFO 5-23

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Suppliers Guide

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

Lens surfacing machinery

Laser engraving & printing Premium-Quality Laser Engraving of Spectacle & Contact Lenses Industry approved since 2004

ing.com

www.ophthalmic-mark

X-Cube Lens Digi-speed Printer

OPTICAL MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS Satisloh AG Neuhofstrasse 12 CH - 6340 Baar / Switzerland Phone: +41 (0) 41766 16 16 Email: info@satisloh.com satisloh.com

Enjoy, • unlimited designs • digi-speed process

C h o o s e y o u r f ra m e c o l o u r

www.tecofrance.com

White

Blue

Cyan

Green

Red

Purple

SCHNEIDER GmbH & Co. KG Biegenstrasse 8–12 · 35112 Fronhausen · Germany

info@tecofrance.com

Phone: +49 (64 26) 96 96-0 · Fax: +49 (64 26) 96 96-100 www.schneider-om.com · info@schneider-om.com

Lenses

Lens surfacing machinery PUB_TECO-Juillet 2016.indd 1

25/07/16 17:59

Ophthalmic Equipment & Services for All Phases of Lens Production US ++-888-888-+8-- UK +88 (8) + 68--68888 ASIA/INDIA +6--6 -8-8--CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC@CCCCCCTCTTCCTCTTCC.TCC ....CCCCCCTCTTCCTCTTCC.TCC

!AZ.indd 9

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Machinery - Automation, Control & Packaging

Optical Machinery. Processing Technology.

OptoTech Optikmaschinen GmbH

!AZ.indd 2 Sandusweg 2-4 • 35435 Wettenberg/Germany Tel.: + 49 641/98203-0 eMail: info.de@optotech.net Web: www.optotech.net

MAFO 5-23

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53

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Suppliers Guide

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

Machinery - lens edging & industrial edging

Surfacing and finishing consumables

Combination of dynamic ideas and stable performance provides superb Lens Edging

www.nidek.com info@nidek.co.jp

Software YOUR ULTRA PRECISION

IOT is a premier provider of disruptive and customized innovations in the optical industry.

Diamond Tools Manufacturer

> Excellent service and quick turnaround > Compliant with any generator

kydiamond.ca sales @ kydiamond.ca

The Lab Management System Company LensWare International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str. 32 63225 Langen - Germany

Phone : +49 6103 / 372 87 87 Email : info@lensware.de Web : www.lensware.de

Vacuum coating materials

www.cotec-gmbh.com

DURALON Hydrophobic Premium Coatings 18.04.23 09:35

!AZ.indd 1

Surfacing and finishing consumables

GENERATING POLISHING EDGING !AZ.indd 3

20 avenue Reille - 75014 PARIS - FRANCE THl. : +33 (0)1 45 89 84 44 - Fax : +33 (0)1 45 89 66 54 contact@agp-abrasifs.com - www.agp-abrasifs.com

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E L P M

incl. presence in the MAFO online ­Suppliers Guide

SA

1 module (88 x 40 mm) per year with company logo 4c = € 990 p.a.

29.11.22 12:19

Contact: constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com

MAFO 5-23

08.09.23 12:46

MAXGALLI + MIXER GROUP + SILVIA BADALOTTI + ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

The eyewear universe.

FEBRUARY 3-5, 2024 Fiera Milano, Rho

210X297 - MIDO - NERO - OPTICAL .indd 1 WORLD.indd 1 !AZ.indd 3

18/07/23 10:04 27.07.23 13:26

CLOSING WORDS

Lowri Moore – a self-confident ambassador for good vision Wearing glasses is by no means uncool. Therefore, it bothered 13-yearold Lowri Moore that glasses-wearing emojis only reinforce kind of negative stereotypes like the “nerd face”. She wanted to change that and sent letters to the Unicode Consortium in California and included a request to be able to add glasses to already existing emojis. After all, you can do that with skin and hair color, she thought to herself.

So why not help self-confident glasses wearers be able to stand by their look with glasses? So far, she has not received an answer. The #GlassesOn campaign launched for this purpose, however, has since Picture: Chanelle Joseph

caused a worldwide stir, made the British teenager a minor celebrity and earned her awards for her commitment to good vision.

However, this is not her only merit for good vision. Also, the fact that the female heroine in the movie “Encanto” wears glasses is thanks to her. Disney admitted it. So, we better stay tuned and say #GlassesOn!

In private I am ...

BAFTA Award Ceremony, I even managed to get Florence Pugh in

... in private, I am easy going but always up for adventure.

the background of a cheeky selfie.

Glasses are for me ...

One person I wish I could have met once ...

... a tool to help me see.

Lin-Manuel Miranda. I’ve had the chance to see him on F ­ aceTime but to meet him in real life would be awesome.

I don't wear glasses ... ... when I’m asleep.

I never travel without ... ... my toothbrush!

For me, eyewear fashion is... ... wearing glasses that I feel comfortable and confident in. It’s good

The last time I cheered was ...

to have some options.

... when Katniss Everdeen survived in the “Hunger Games”.

If I had to describe myself in three words ....

My favorite book ...

... I would say adventurous, eccentric and groovy.

... “Kensuke´s Kingdom” by Michael Morpurgo.

Unforgotten remains ...

My day is perfect ...

... when I went to Zimbabwe with my dad and had the chance to

... when something spontaneous or adventurous happens.

stroke a lion and having the lead role in my first ever show - this all happened in the same week!

When I´m old, I´m going to ... ... cook great food, host big family parties and spend lots of time in

My role model ... ... I don´t have an idol but I really admire Florence Pugh and Lin-Manuel Miranda. I love their work and whilst I was at the

56

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the great outdoors.

Thank you so much for talking with us. ◆

MAFO 5-23

08.09.23 16:05

OUTLOOK

Did you know, you can sell a scan of your iris?

At the end of July, OpenAI founder Sam Altman officially launched his crypto project Worldcoin. Customers can register at sites around the world. Interested people have to identify themselves via a futuristic-looking silver ball using an iris scan. Those who successfully register receive a WorldID and a welcome money in the form of World-Coin tokens, an electronic currency. Altman explains his commitment with the plan to pay an unconditional basic income when artificial intelligence eventually takes over more and more tasks. More than two million people have already registered. However, data protectionists warn against this.

Special topics in MAFO 2023

MAFO 01

MAFO 03

MAFO 05

Technology & Innovation

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers

Sustainable Processes

Future Lab

Data Handling & Security

Go Digital!

MAFO 02

MAFO 04

MAFO 06

Preview MAFO 06/2023 The special topic of the upcoming issue is “Go Digital!”.

In this issue you will learn more about Industry 4.0, especially about connectivity, traceability and the digital twin. ­Furthermore, we report about laser systems and the application purposes of different technologies and we talk to the Optical Women´s Association (OWA) about their mission. And as always, many exciting topics more await you. Stay curious!

MAFO 5-23

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Missed an issue?

No problem, view the latest issues online: app.mafo-optics.com ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 19

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY Connect, discover, stay up-to-date

We help you to stay in contact

ALL-IN-

4/2023 ▶ Special topic: Data Handling & Security AI and machine learning algorithms

The ophthalmic market in a nutshell

“There is no waste at all‒, only raw materials!”

Highest level of lens personalization thanks to “big data” and recent scientific findings

Misconceptions about progressive lenses

Anti-reflex coating and process control

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY We help you to stay in contact

BLOCKING PERFORMANCE AT A NEW LEVEL

3/2023 ▶ Special topic: Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers

A broad vision of sustainability

▶ Technology

2/2023 ▶ Special topic: Future Lab MAFO – The Conference 2023

Consumer sentiment and market data in Europe

SLUGFest 2023 — first-hand information and visions for the future

One drop and you regain the vision of a 20-year-old?

▶ Technology The correction of near vision astigmatism

▶ Technology

De-fogging with heat

Natural Accommodation Lens

Leica Eyecare — back to the roots

▶ Market Survey

PFAS forever?

▶ Market Survey

Industrial edging

AR-Coating machinery

▶ Market Survey Dip- and spin hard coating machines Unboxing any kind of box

Environmentally friendly

1

in hour

72

▶ Market Survey

sq.ft.

Highest flexibility

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

www.schneider-om.com

06.09.2023 11:14:36 08.09.23 12:49

01_Titel.indd 1

With STEP coverage we handle your machine maintenance so your staff can focus on lab production. Our team’s experience and knowledge ensure top functionality and minimal downtime.

Why STEP maintenance?

• Emergency response on support tickets • Your machines always up-to-date • Regular machine maintenance check-ups • Access to Satisloh Academy knowledge base • Satisloh Lab Check optimizes your production flow • and more...

With the added flexibility, CCU Modulo ONE solves a well-known problem: Inefficient block size distribution and poor machine utilization. For any lab size, a wider range of blocking requirements can be met with a smaller number of machines.

The proprietary lens measuring unit guarantees perfectly oriented lenses.

An intelligent fill control provides highly consistent and precise fillings – no under or over fillings. The alloy and block pieces can be refilled during operation.

Non-stop uninterrupted blocking for highest throughput, at lowest cost per lens.

www.schneider-om.com

RZ_AZ_Modulo_Center_ONE_MAFO_06-2022_160x225_4c_engl_D.indd 1

STEP: BASIC | SMART | EXCELLENCE

CHOOSE THE SERVICE LEVEL THAT FITS YOUR NEEDS

Time-consuming manual changes are a thing of the past. CCU Modulo ONE has multiple block sizes – a minimum of three and up to six – readily available. And the best part: The exchanges are carried out automatically and without increasing cycle time.

Labs can now run larger scale productions even in small locations and under nonindustrial conditions. Little to no operator intervention is needed as the center works fully automated with all essential components on board.

Simply put: Blank in, surfaced lens out.

Ophthalmic lens production fully-automated and entirely hands-free.

Highest throughput

One auto blocker covering virtually all of a labs’ blocking requirements at highest speed. With CCU Modulo ONE, SCHNEIDER introduces the only auto blocker today with automated block size exchange and achieves unprecedented efficiency in blocking.

The dedicated Control Center (MES) informs at a glance about the current status of the machine, production parameters, and efficiency.

DBX Modulo ONE follows SCHNEIDERs vision to provide the full solution for ophthalmic labs, from warehousing all the way to inline coating and beyond.

Little to no downtime

CCU m dulo

The all-in-one surfacing center substantially saves time, running all processes simultaneously and perfectly synchronized – even milling and lathe turning. And with the chambers placed right next to one another, the smart automation transfers the lenses in virtually no time. There is no faster way to surface a lens.

All waste material is separated and collected individually to simplify recycling and further increase sustainability.

3+

Generators

Modulo Center ONE features highly advanced process technology, based on robust and reliable components proven in hundreds of installations across the globe.

After swiftly identifying the type of box, DBX Modulo ONE opens it “naturally”: It unfolds, takes out and unwraps, entirely without touching the lens surface.

SCHNEIDERs eco-friendly process avoids cutting or burning the material using sharp blades or high energy lasers – no cutting particles or dust and no fumes.

RZ_AZ_DBX_modulo_ONE_2_MAFO_08-2023_160x225_4c_engl_D.indd 1

80

lenses

Imagine one single machine featuring all the technology to surface 80 lenses/hour, in just 72 sq. f t. (7m²). This is Modulo Center ONE. The compact all-in-one surfacing center is a full-fledged production line without limitations: a milling station // a lathe turning station // one or two 4-spindle polishing units // a CO₂ or excimer laser.

With DBX Modulo ONE, SCHNEIDER debuts a powerful and fully automated new lens deboxer for high throughput, 24/7. The innovative technology unpacks all common kinds of boxes and materials – cardboard, blisters, even sleeves – damage-free with a clean process. It requires a minimum of energy and effort.

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

4

processes

M dulo Center

DBX m dulo

01_Titel.indd 1

STEP MAINTENANCE

Paperless production Challenges and opportunities for labs

▶ MAFO live on site

Thickness and weight of ophthalmic lenses

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 19

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY We help you to stay in contact

THE NATURAL WAY OF DEBOXING

5/2023 ▶ Special topic: Sustainable Processes

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 19

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 19

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany 02.06.2022 14:51:27 06.07.23 14:48

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS WHICH SERVICE LEVEL BEST FITS YOUR LAB Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

www.schneider-om.com

RZ_AZ_CCU_modulo_ONE_2_MAFO_04-2023_160x225_4c_engl_D.indd 1

04.04.2023 17:17:57

satisloh.com/service-support/step-maintenance

01_Titel.indd 1

01.03.23 09:54

MASTHEAD PUBLISHERS ADDRESS

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151, D-45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr Tel.: +49-208-306683-00 Fax: +49-208-306683-99 Website: www.mafo-optics.com E-mail: info@mafo-optics.com CEO Petros Sioutis E-mail: p.sioutis@eyepress.de PUBLISHER Silke Sage, Petros Sioutis, Efstathios Efthimiadis FOUNDED 2003 by Jörg Spangemacher

BANK DETAILS

Bank account: Sparkasse Aachen Bank No.: 390 500 00, Acc. No.: 1073 3925 06 IBAN: DE21 3905 0000 1073 3925 06 SWIFT: AACSDE33XXX CHIEF-EDITOR Hanna Diewald E-mail: hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com EDITORS Rebekka Nurkanovic E-mail: rebekka.nurkanovic@mafo-optics.com Britta Laupichler E-mail: britta@mafo-optics.com TRANSLATIONS John Saniter, Bopfingen

PRODUCTION & LAYOUT Efstathios Efthimiadis, Pascal Bruns E-mail: production@eyepress.de DISTRIBUTION PressUp GmbH, Postbox 70 13 11, D-22013 Hamburg Tel.: +49-40-386666-308, Fax: +49-40-386666-299 MEDIA CONSULTANT Constanze Classen Tel.: +49-208-306683-20 E-mail: constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com ADVERTISING AGENT GREAT CHINA Beijing FOCUS Optics Culture Communication Co. Ltd. Room 319, Building 2, Nr. 1, Northbank 1292, Nr. 15 Jianguo Eastroad, Beijing 100024 (Chaoyang), P.R. China Mrs. Jian Wang Tel.: +86-10-8537-6529 Email: jennywang_focus@126.com Skype: jennywang611 焦点视光（北京）文化传播有限公司 北京市朝阳区建国东路15号院甲一号北岸1292 二号楼319室 邮编：100024 电话：+86-10-8537-6529 jennywang_focus@126.com 电邮：jennywang_focus@126.com ADVERTISEMENT RATES Price list no. 19, valid from January 01, 2023 Publication schedule 6 issues 2023: January, March, May, July, September, November

SUBSCRIPTION COSTS PER YEAR European Union € 140,00 (plus VAT for German companies) Overseas Seamail € 160,00 Overseas Airmail € 195,00 United States Seamail € 170,00 United States Airmail € 225,00 Single issue € 20,00 (plus mailing costs) The Publisher requires three months written notice on cancellation. Subscribers please note that proof of notice may be required.

PHOTO CREDITS P.10: malp, P.16: kyrychukvitaliy, P.30: megaflopp, P.38: Dinara, P.57: Karina Lago, Planet Volumes /stock.adobe.com, /unsplash.com PRODUCTION & PRINT Kollin Medien GmbH, Neudrossenfeld, Germany The publisher takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Please note also that photographs submitted for use in MAFO cannot be returned. The publisher’s written permission is required for any reproduction, translation or recording of material published in MAFO, including extracts of such material. Permission will normally be given, subject to the usual acknowledgement. Copies made of published items must be limited in number and for personal use only.

EDITORIAL BOARD Jörg Spangemacher, Peter Baumbach, Mo Jalie

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MES-360

OPTIMIZE DAILY PROCESSES & LEVEL UP PRODUCTIVITY WITH PROVEN & RELIABLE TOOLS

Unleash the potential of your entire lens production with MES-360 Manufacturing Execution Software, developed specifically for the optical industry. A comprehensive suite of tools helps optimize your operations and maximize output.

TRACK

ANALYZE

AUTOMATE

IMPROVE

Real-time data collection, job status & equipment

Valuable insights & make informed data-driven decisions

Workflows, set up rules for job routing, tracking, & handling

Lab performance, overall equipment effectiveness & throughput

Request a demo & learn how MES-360 can level up your lab’s productivity!

satisloh.com

!AZ.indd 8

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