instrumental strategies
An Artist's Eye for
Edging
This new edger
makes it easy to create customized eyewear and rimless frames.
J.
MICHAEL HARMON, O.D.
At
Sonoma Eyeworks, we take great pride in providing state-of-the-art eye care combined
with the latest in unique and fashionable eyewear with a personal touch. We believe
that our patients deserve the best; therefore we have invested in the latest technology
in the lab and the exam room.
Moving up
Recently we upgraded our Briot Axcell CL-D edging
system to the new Briot Alta. Sonoma Eyeworks is a high-end practice carrying unique
and exclusive frames. We like to think that we are creating "wearable art"
for our patients, and the Alta system truly allows us to do just that. Many of the
frame collections we carry at Sonoma Eyeworks have sharp corners, angles and asymmetrical
shapes that the average edger can't create. The advanced engineering of the Alta
gives the operator greater control over each of the finishing steps necessary to
ensure accurate and cosmetically pleasing results.
|
 |
|
Briot
Alta Edging System |
TRACER/BLOCKER
WIDTH: 13"
DEPTH: 24"
HEIGHT: 26"
WEIGHT: 91 lbs.
POWER: 115/60Hz, 80W |
EDGER
26"
19"
21"
138 lbs.
115v/60Hz, 1,000W |
Improved operations
The Alta edger allows you and/or your tech to
utilize automatic settings as well as customize bevels, grooves, drill holes and
safety bevels. The Alta edger also allows you and/or your tech to control
the curve of the "V" bevel or groove, as well as the bevel placement on the lens
by millimeters or percentages from the front or rear of the lens. It offers a wide
range of depth and width options for grooving that can be adjusted quickly and easily
on the touch-screen. These control options are essential in fitting the lens in
the frame, especially with steep base curves and difficult bevels.
One particular frame line that we carry
requires a wider and deeper groove than normally used. With the Alta, this is a
breeze, as we can change the width and depth with the touch of a button.
Additionally, the Alta edger's new design allows the drill to tilt up to 30Þ
to accommodate higher base curve lenses. The angled holes come out perfect on the
Alta edger, which creates the perfect fit on custom drilled eyewear.
Special features
With the popularity of drilled eyewear, the Digiform
software in the Alta tracer/blocker is a must-have. This software allows us to modify
rimless lens shapes specifically for each patient. We can extend the lower "B" measurement
as well as any parameter quickly and easily. The software makes it easy to create
custom, one-of-a-kind eyewear.
For
Sonoma Eyeworks, the Briot Alta's ease of use and all-in-one capabilities made this
investment a "no brainer." We have reduced our cost-of-goods while we continue to
increase service to our patients. For these reasons, the edging system has made
significant contributions to our successful practice.
DR. HARMON IS IN
PRIVATE PRACTICE IN SANTA ROSA, CALIF. HE IS CO-FOUNDER
OF EMPIRE OPTOMETRY AND SONOMA EYEWORKS. FOR MORE
INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.SONOMAEYEWORKS.COM.
Optometric Management, Issue: December 2006