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What part are you proposing to be 3d printed?

• jared314 12y ago
  The metal frames.
  • gertef 12y ago
    and what would you put in those frames?
  • mcmancini 12y ago
    I'm not understanding how 3d printing the frames would reduce costs over traditional manufacturing methods.
    • jared314 12y ago
      From the article: Consumers do not get a break. At LensCrafters, the average cost for a pair of frames and lenses is about $300. You may think -- well, there's choice in the mall for other glasses. But Luxottica doesn't only own the top eyewear chain in the country, it owns another large chain: Pearle Vision, and Oliver Peoples, and several boutique chains. And it runs Target Optical and Sears Optical. And we're not done, Luxottica also owns Sunglass Hut - the largest sunglass chain in the world. The cost of frames is not based on the cost of traditional manufacturing. Luxottica controls the market, like De Beers and the diamond market.
      • mcmancini 12y ago
        I didn't reply very intelligently. How does 3d printing the frames lower the barrier to entry for competition?
  • avmich 12y ago
    There were an interesting report about manufacturing lenses using 3D printer - for original shapes, which then are additionally processed. The article described covering 'layered' lens shape with a film which makes the surface smooth and then using that for making a form for final casting of the transparent plastic. It wasn't a complete replacement for lenses - but still an interesting step towards automating the process.