February 23, 2006 - South Windsor, Conn.- – Gerber Coburn is pleased to announce the launching of the Cut-to-Polish (CTP) option on its Diamond Turning Lathe (DTL) generator series; the latest addition to the company’s Performance Series Line.

“Expanding our new lens generation platform, the latest version DTL is an affordable high-speed, dry-cut, single point diamond turning lathe that employs precision diamond machining technology for traditional or CTP advanced lens processing,” said Randy Baldwin, director of surfacing and coating, Gerber Coburn.

“DTL with CTP option takes lens surfacing to an entirely new level — it advances the performance of the DTL 100 high speed version by producing an exceptionally smooth lens surface. And it’s this surface quality that enables lenses to move directly to conventional or soft tool polishing equipment, eliminating the fining process and its costs. Available with new units or as a field upgrade, DTL can process both CTP or conventional, high-speed jobs without operator intervention—one generator can do both functions,” stated Baldwin.

As noted by Robert Comeau, lab director for Multilux, Montreal, Canada, “As a test-site user, we’ve had the DTL with cut-to-polish since November 2005 and have processed over 13,000 CR39® and hi-index lenses. We’re impressed with DTL’s consistent, high quality lens surface results as well as the process benefits. With the cut-to-polish option, we eliminated the fining step, saving us both labor and consumable costs—that’s tremendous progress.”

Baldwin went on to say, “Whether labs process 250, 500, or 1,000 or more jobs a day, DTL offers maximum performance at an affordable price. DTL employs many exclusive features such as a single point cutting apparatus with 16 mm polycrystalline diamond cutter and a Hyper Speed axis. Moving at 6G of acceleration, the Hyper Speed axis rapidly changes position while cutting in and out against the lens. Because the cutter is oversized, it surfaces a larger lens area, so the “pick mark” size is reduced. This results in an overall smoother lens finish, which curtails the need for aggressive downstream processing. DTL also utilizes dry-cut generating technology to process all plastic, hi-index, polycarbonate, and Trivex® lenses. Because of this technique, no reclaim water filtration system is needed to dispose of costly water treatment chemicals and coolants,” noted Baldwin.

“One of DTL’s unique features is its swarf management system. Contained under DTL’s hood is a fully enclosed cutting/swarf chamber with tapered base that facilitates the containment and removal of swarf from the cutting area. It helps cool the cutter and keeps the internal components including the cutter, clean from floating debris. Any poly-swarf strands are cut and removed from DTL with the GC-III Granulator and DISA GC 1000 Vacuum. The granulator delivers superior granulating capabilities, cutting the strands into ¼” pieces while the vacuum provides over 1,000 CFM for proper volume of air to eliminate any swarf clogs,” Baldwin explained.

“And for those labs seeking to further reduce their labor costs by automating the process, an automated version is available. Whether labs choose the manual or automated DTL, their semi-finished lens blanks will be surfaced, cribbed, and safety-beveled in a fast and accurate process and with superior quality,” noted Baldwin.

Gerber Coburn is the world’s leading 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 is a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc.

Gerber Scientific is the world's leading supplier of sophisticated automated manufacturing systems for sign making and specialty graphics, apparel and flexible materials, and ophthalmic lens processing. Headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, the company operates through four businesses: Gerber Scientific Products, Spandex Ltd., Gerber Technology, and Gerber Coburn.