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Is It Time to Get a New Edger?
Make a list of all your wants and needs before you shop for a new edger. This guide will help clue you into some key determining points
By Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Gerber Coburn's Kappa CTD edger

Before you wade into the marketplace to look for a new edger, you must consider how your business has changed and also look into how edgers have updated over recent years. From pattern-type to patternless, from single-feature to multi-feature, and from space-hogging to space-saving size, today's equipment offers many features and benefits.

Conduct research at optical trade shows and online, keeping your top priorities in mind. Formulate a concise list of questions.

In the end, it's WHO you want to do business with, factoring in service; WHAT type of edger best suits your needs; WHEN you require the edger and when you can get it up and running; WHY you need the edger now; and HOW you'll accomplish getting the edger, considering cost, payment arrangements, timeframe, shipping, setup, and training.

WHY NOW?

From top to bottom: National Optronic's 7E Patternless Edger; Briot Axcell CL-D with drill from Briot USA; OPI/Topcon's Ultima SG plus system which includes the ALE-5000 SG Patternless Edger, FR-50 Frame Reader, and DS-5000 Automatic Blocker

The first thing to ask is why your practice requires a new edger. "Because I want one" isn't answer enough. Ask questions like: Is the current equipment technology too old to maintain competitive turnaround time and handle modern materials and designs? Is it too difficult to operate? Is the redo rate due to edger hiccups unacceptable? Is it breaking down more often? Is it tough to service?

In brief, you need to realistically assess your business to determine need versus want. Some practice-focused questions to ask include:

1. What type of edger do you want? Patterned or patternless? Manual or automatic? Workhorse or specialty?

If you aren't sure, get ground floor knowledge of each option before fully entering the marketplace.

2. What is your budget for an edger? Keep in mind there may be contract/service costs; set-up costs (i.e., electricity, plumbing), and costs other than just for the machine, including ongoing issues such as software upgrades down the line.

3. Would you consider a leasing program, and if so, what are the basic parameters that are acceptable to you?

4. Which staffers will be operating the equipment, and what are their skill levels?

5. Who will fix/update the edger in-house and how will those tasks be accomplished?

6. What office space can you allot to an edger? What are your edger size and weight requirements?

7. What are your noise, odor, and waste disposal considerations?

8. If the lab is visible from any part of the office, especially by patients, lab appearance may be important. If that's the case, is the edger streamlined and visually appealing?

9. What are the expected profits? Usually, equipment manufacturers can supply you with a variety of general profit calculations, but you may want to also figure deeper by factoring in your output as well as your pricing structure.

Determine what's an approximate wholesale lab per-job, per-week, or per-month cost. When compared side-by-side to the same in-house lab cost, including in-house lab operator pay/benefits, how does it stand up?

10. What products do you edge now? What products don't you edge now that you'd like to be able to edge? Make a list of your most
common types of jobs.

11. How are you planning for your in-house lab future? What brands, materials, and types of products do you foresee in your practice in the future? Investigate area demographics to plan ahead. For example, if your area will be a senior citizens' haven, there may be a higher demand for high-index progressive addition lenses.

Santinelli's ME-1000 edger and drill

12. What "hidden" operating costs are there? Calculate an approximate cost of low versus high voltage use, waste management, and consumables.

13. What's the estimated trade-off with an optician edging full or part-time versus spending time on the floor with patients and making sales?

14. Who are your contacts at the company you select as a supplier? Be sure to get all of their names, titles, and contact information including address, E-mail, and telephone/ mobile phone numbers