Neither dipped nor spun

Having recently completed a CET article on lens coats and coatings (Module C1298) (optician May 13), I was surprised to find an omission.

The article in question refers, in part, to methods of applying a hard coat to a plastics lens. The author implies that only two methods are available. Indeed, question 4 relates specifically to these methods.

As many of your readers will be aware, there are, in fact, three methods. However, the third is a technique patented by Signet Armorlite Inc in America, and is marketed as RLX +.

This method involves the hard coat being applied 'in-mould' during the polymerisation of the lens substrate. As such, it is neither dipped nor spun.

Should anyone wish to learn more about this method, they can contact myself, or any of my colleagues at Signet Armorlite UK.

Chris Watson
Kodak Lens Regional Manager (North West)