SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn.- Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of abrasive pads for the optical industry, has added a new one-step fining pad to its extensive line of supply products. Crusader™ fining pads provide high-production labs with another choice for one-step fining tough polycarbonate lenses, announced Kyle Costa, group product manager, Gerber Coburn.

“Crusader is a technically advanced pad,” noted Costa. “It’s coated with P-graded aluminum oxide grain that has an extremely tight particle distribution. The grain has also been heat-treated to reduce the loading of polycarbonate material on the pad. The benefits of that combination are uniform stock removal and cut rates and superior smooth surfaces. Because the cut and finish are more consistent, labs reduce quality problems, rework, and operating costs,” he said.

“In addition, the pad’s high-strength, B-weight latex backing provides superior tear resistance - this means that the pad removes easily from the lap tool,” he added. “The flexible backing also makes Crusader more conformable which allows the pads to lie down more uniformly on the lap.”

Gerber Coburn is the world’s largest provider of computer integrated optical lens processing systems. The company designs, produces, markets and supports equipment, software and supplies used in surfacing prescriptions in lens blanks, coating lenses, and machining lenses to fit patient frames. Based in South Windsor, Conn., Gerber Coburn operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Gerber Scientific Inc.

Gerber Scientific is the world’s leading supplier of high technology systems and solutions that enable mass customization in diverse markets - sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and flexible materials, and optical lens processing. Gerber Scientific serves these industries through four wholly owned subsidiaries: Gerber Scientific Products, South Windsor, Conn.; Spandex PLC, Bristol, England; Gerber Technology, Tolland, Conn.; and Gerber Coburn Optical Inc., South Windsor, Conn. In addition, the company is building a presence in the global packaging and commercial printing industries through its Gerber Innovations group, Manchester, Conn. Gerber Scientific Inc. is an NYSE-listed company (symbol GRB) with approximately $553 million in annual revenue, and employs about 2,300 globally. It also is headquartered in South Windsor.