Vision for success

Adlens, whose adaptive lens technology is bringing the gift of sight to thousands in the developing world, had just two weeks to get parts to Rwanda for an important feasibility study. With the need for relatively low-volume and great speed they turned to Protomold. Towards the end of 2009, Adlens was asked to take part in a feasibility study for the "Vision for a Nation" programme, which aims to address the lack of eye care specialists and vision infrastructure in Rwanda. Phase 1 planned to test Adlens' innovative design for self-adjustable glasses in the field and the most appropriate way of distributing them to Rwandan villages. However, there was a problem, as Mr. Chris King, Senior Product Design Engineer at Adlens, points out: "We had just two weeks to supply about 1000 spectacles for the feasibility study but our factory in China, which produces around 2000 a day, did not make the right sized frames. It was then that we decided to call Protomold." Adlens had used Protomold, a division of Proto Labs, for developing non-optical parts but this was the first time they had used the firm for a volume run of production quality components and on such a tight timescale. However, as Chris says: "We knew Protomold's rapid injection moulding worked with nylon, which is the standard frame material because it is strong and flexible, and their online ProtoQuote® system enabled us to modify the design so it ejected from the mould correctly. The Protomold team also advised us on some further refinements to ensure the adjustors and oil-reservoirs would fit the side arms correctly. As a result, we were able to deliver the frames on time, on budget and to a very acceptable quality."