How are Lens Blanks Made?

Any eyewear’s foundation is its lens blanks. Several materials, including glass, plastic, and polycarbonate, are used to make them. However, the most often used materials in the eyewear business are plastic lens blanks. These lens blanks are created using an injection molding technique.

Making a mold is the initial stage in producing a plastic lens blank. The mold is often made of steel or aluminum and is used to make lenses of specific shapes. The plastic is then heated to a specified temperature and injected into the mold by an injection molding machine when the mold is in place. After cooling and hardening, the plastic is formed into a solid lens blank.

Depending on the manufacturer and the desired qualities of the lens, different types of plastic are used to make sunglasses. Sunglasses made of polycarbonate are popular because they are lightweight, impact-resistant, and provide great UV protection. Other popular plastics used to make sunglasses include Trivex, which is lightweight and impact-resistant, and CR-39, which has great optical clarity.

In general, sunglasses are divided into three groups based on how much visible light transmission (VLT) they permit. Dark-tinted sunglasses, usually referred to as category 3 sunglasses, have a VLT of 8–18% and are best used in bright, sunny environments. They are ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and skiing since they provide a high level of protection from UV and glare.

The tint of your sunglasses basically comes down to personal preference and the activities you’ll be engaging in. Because they offer genuine color perception and are excellent for bright environments, gray lenses are a popular option. The contrast-enhancing qualities of brown lenses make them a popular option for tasks like driving. Green lenses offer outstanding contrast in bright situations, while yellow lenses are fantastic in low light.

In summary, lens blanks are a crucial part of all eyewear. They can be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as polycarbonate, CR-39, and Trivex, by injecting plastic into a mold. According to their VLT, sunglasses are normally divided into three categories, with category 3 sunglasses being the best choice for bright, sunny weather. It’s crucial to take your own preferences and the activity you’ll be participating in into account when choosing the hue of sunglasses.