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Challenge
National Optronics (Charlottesville VA) is the leading U. S.
manufacturer of eyeglass lens processing technology for retail
store and wholesale production applications.
After being purchased by Essilor, a large French optical company,
National Optronics (NO) wanted to develop a more contemporary
lens processing product line with improved performance, functionality
and ergonomics. The new Dimension, which traces complex
eyeglass frames, was the first product for NO's initiative and was
specifically developed to target growth in the complex frames market.
Furthermore, the Dimension represented the first advanced tracing
system for all eyeglass frame styles, patterns and lenses, including
high wrap, highly curved lenses.
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Solution
While NO focused on their core strengths to develop the internal
mechanism design and electronics, they leveraged SPARK's expertise
in plastic part design and industrial design. From concept through
production, SPARK's specific contributions included:
| An appealing, injection-molded product enclosure that integrated a
unique rotating frame holder, a touch screen interface panel and
an accessory storage door.
| A product enclosure with a small product footprint and an upright,
user-friendly ergonomic form.
| An optimized plastic enclosure design for cost-effective DFM&A.
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Result
The new Dimension was enthusiastically received by NO management
and has provided an innovative product platform for the
company's product design language. NO's largest customer was so
impressed by the Dimension that they have placed advanced orders
for multiple units.
The Dimension is in production and successfully being sold to a
worldwide market. A companion product, the Clarity, has been
subsequently co-developed by NO and SPARK.
SPARK's integrated product
design, engineering and
manufacturing approach
created an appealing, functional
enclosure that was
cost-effective to manufacture.
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