Hands On - Ask the Labs
Q&A
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Q: We have a difference of opinion on the staffing ratio for our finishing lab. Are there guidelines?

A: Presuming this is a retail lab environment, one dedicated lab person per 50 jobs/day should be sufficient. The Optical Laboratories Association notes that there is no current formula due to the advancement of technology such as remote tracing and push-button equipment operation that has taken place over recent years.

— Art Waite, sales manager, Winchester Optical Company,
East Rochester, N.Y.

ANOTHER VIEW

A: I'd like to clarify an answer in the March Ask the Labs. In "Aspheric Answer," polynomial aspheric and deformed conicoid surfaces give lens designers more freedom and allow for surfaces of greater complexity than simple conicoid aspherics. For example, with polynomial or deformed conicoid aspheric, the lens designer can optimize optics in the central region of the lens but then optimize for thickness or some other parameter in the lens periphery by modifying "higher order" terms.

This was a popular approach for modern aspheric cataract lenses that blend an optical zone into a thin carrier. Freeform surfacing can be done on the front or backside of a lens blank; there are freeform PALs in both. Not all freeform PALs have the progressive lens surface generated via freeform surfacing. Some use a semi-finished progressive front combined with an optimized freeform back that may be aspheric, atoric, or a surface of greater complexity.

Freeform surfacing can create other lenses, as well.

— Darryl Meister, technical marketing manager, Carl Zeiss Vision

WELL SEASONED

Q: Is the lab business seasonal? What are the busiest months? What months are least busy?

A: Our business is seasonal. We're located in the mountains of North Carolina, popular during the summer, so our busiest months are April through September. Our slowest months are usually November through January. Ask your lab what their busiest season is to plan your input.

— Gerry Shaw, president, Western Carolina Optical, Asheville, N.C.

HOTtopic

Q: I'm considering purchasing a soldering kit for frame repairs in our practice. What are the types of frame materials that I should avoid soldering?

A: Silver soldering can repair stainless steel and nickel silver frames, but most repairs show somewhat. Soldering on painted, lacquered, and plated colors will be more apparent. You can solder most metal frames with the exception of beta titanium, pure titanium, and aluminum. Also, some pure stainless steel frames can't be soldered with conventional methods. Check with the manufacturer before soldering for their recommendations and be sure to know the frame's composition. Also keep manufacturer's written frame warranties on hand.

— Donna Benedict, president, Legends 4.0 Optical Laboratory, Lewisville, Texas

If you have a question you'd like to have answered in Ask the Labs, send it to Karlen McLean. E-mail: mcleank@lwwvisioncare.com. Fax: 215-643-1705. An archive of past Ask the Labs columns can be found on the Eyecare Business Website at www.eyecarebiz.com.