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FEATURE LAB ARTISANSHIP The Independent Lab's Competitive Edge A lab technician's firsthand account of what it means to become skilled in the art of molding and mounting a lens. BY STEVEN WARFIELD IN TODAY'S best-looking eyewear," Kirman contends. Which, of course, begs the question: What is the difference between a lab tech for the mass retailers and an artisan lab tech for the wholesale independent optical lab? competitive, supplier-owned wholesale laboratory networks and online-driven markets, product quality is losing ground. Yet, due to the market's increasingly high demand for fashion frames, and the additional attention to detail it takes to work with them, the independent lab's product quality has increased. Artisanship is a major advantage that independent labs have over mass-production Big Box manufacturers, retailers, and online eyewear companies and can give them a competitive edge. EYEWEAR AS FASHION The marketing trend is becoming focused toward eyewear as a fashion statement. One result of this is that the industry is being inundated with un-Rxable frames. The frame may look fantastic, the style dynamic, but it isn't made with an Rx lens in mind. This puts not only the eyecare professional (ECP) at a disadvantage, but the lab as well. There is no set standard defning product compatibility between optical lab equipment manufacturers and frame manufacturers. But since there's a growing focus on fashion over function, frame manufacturers are producing frames that may be setting new trends in style, but may also have serious design shortcomings—at least as far as lens mounting is concerned. new and challenging mounts being dispensed today. Variety and technology are more diverse than ever," he says. Due to the high demand for fashion eyewear, fueled by the industry's retail giants, ECPs are sometimes faced with little choice in the frames they offer or dispense. This disadvantage gets passed onto the lab. An additional problem, but no less troublesome, is when an Rx is completely wrong for the frame desired by the customer—for example, an Rx for a high minus lens, which requires a fat base curve, being used for a wrap-style plastic frame. Wrap frames typically require an 8-base lens to match the shape of the frame. Consequently, when a fat base curve lens is used, the fnished product can result in a fared frame. Rather than ship this distorted fnished product to DIVERSE TECHNOLOGY According to Don Kirman, owner of K Optical Inc., a mid-sized independent wholesale optical lab in Hummelstown, PA, "There is a great need for skilled artisanship, especially with all of the "Artisanship is a major advantage that independent labs have over mass-production Big Box manufacturers, retailers, and online eyewear companies." 12 january 2014 Even with the technical advances of today's edgers, certain skill sets on the part of the fnishing technician are still in demand. the client, a lab technician who practices artisanship will heat and mold the frame to the proper shape, thus ensuring client satisfaction. LAB EXPERIENCE A MUST! Additionally, many optical centers employ opticians with little to no lab experience. This inexperience can often lead to opticians promoting a frame choice to generate profts, but may not be a good ft for the Rx. Often the lens material choice is completely wrong for the type of frame being sold. "A lab needs people who can work with the different Rx's being put into these (fashion) frames to produce the MY OWN EXPERIENCE Like many lab technicians, I simply applied for a job at an optical lab advertised in my local "want" ads. I have honed my skills over the years through a deep commitment to quality. I consider myself an artisan because of this commitment. Many lab technicians start this way, in a kind of "no experience, will train" position. However, according to a summary job report for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians posted at O*Net Online (onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9083.00), there is a detailed list of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for this position. Granted, the majority are standard skill sets, for example, monitoring machinery, rate control, controlling machines, and processes. Nonetheless, many additional hands-on skills are needed as well, including those that take commitment, conscientiousness, attention to detail, and creativity. The ability to shape lenses appropriately, assessing customers' needs, meeting quality standards, analyzing information, and evaluating results to choose the best solution, are but a few of the more demanding and artisan-based skills that can be developed in an independent lab's setting. Why only in an independent lab's setting? The consensus among optical totallyoptical.com