EYE ON EQUIPMENT
Problems with Sports Lenses
By Susan P. Tarrant

PROBLEM: Sports eyewear has lenses with deep base curves. This makes tracing them difficult.

SOLUTION: Tracing the curvature can sometimes be a problem, especially when the curvature is such that the operator has to manipulate the frame to make it work in the holder of the tracer. Try popping the demo lens out and trace that, or use a pattern. If it is still too drastic a curve to work, I would suggest contacting someone at a wholesale lab, because sometimes the dispensary promises a prescription to a client in a frame that because of the prescription, creates a hassle in fabrication.

�Matt Vulich, vice president, sales, AIT Industries

PROBLEM: The lenses pop out after being fit into the sports eyewear frames.

SOLUTION: Obviously, keeping the lenses secure throughout the sports activity is vital. That would demand deep safety bevels, much like is required for safety eyewear. However, depending on the frame style or the manufacturer of the sports eyewear, a very deep bevel is not always possible. In that case, you need to get as crisp a bevel as possible, so the eyewire stays put. The best way to ensure a crisp bevel is to inspect the diamond wheel of your edger often. When it becomes slightly worn, the diamond wheel can be retooled and regain its ability to cut clean, crisp bevels of any depth.

�Bill Galindo, president, ODI/Topcon

	Costa del Mar style Tempest

PROBLEM: We have read a lot about processing polycarbonate, and are trying to decide the best possible way to process sports eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.

SOLUTION: Polycarbonate is a popular lens material for sports eyewear today because of its shatterproof qualities. However, processing poly lenses on old-style edgers can be time-consuming because the material is soft, scratches easily, and leaves behind messy debris while edging.

It�s best to use one of the new automatic patternless edgers that makes processing polycarbonate fast and easy to do. Look for one that has a wet/dry cutting cycle and draining system that cleans the edging chamber automatically as the lens is being processed. This keeps both the edger and the lens clean, for a better quality finish.

�Greg Dean, technical training manager, Briot USA

PROBLEM: When we work with sports eyewear that has polarized lenses, we cannot see our markings in the blocker.

SOLUTION: That�s a common problem with darker lenses. I suggest using a different type of ink to make the position marks on the lenses prior to blocking. When dealing with polarized lenses, a white ink marker shows up well in the computerized blockers. The type of ink you use will vary depending on the type and color of the lens. Your equipment vendor should be able to give you guidance as to which color is best.

�Michael Urban, product manager, Gerber Coburn