instrumental strategies
When It's Time to Buy an Edger
This two-piece system equals one full finishing lab.

I've always said that if you're going to be in the business of optometry, you need two things before you ever open for business: an edger and a phoropter. As a practice-building consultant, I'm constantly advising clients on what technologies can help their practices. For me to recommend a specific piece of equipment to a client, it has to increase the level of patient service, save time and improve profitability. The Briot Axcell CL-D edging system, composed of the Axcell Tracer-Blocker and the Accura CL Edger, meets these criteria.

The Axcell CL-D system COMPONENTS: Axcell Tracer-Blocker; Accura CL Edger FOOTPRINT: Tracer/blocker: 13" x 24" x 26"; Edger: 26" x 19" x 21" PRICE: $20,000 - $47,000 FEATURES: Edges all lens materials; grooves rimless lenses; drills rimless lenses automatically; positions holes automatically; centers without a lensmeter; safety bevels both front and rear.

Doing it all

The Axcell tracer/blocker analyzes most single-vision, bifocal and progressive lenses automatically and identifies the optical center without a lensmeter. An image of the centered lens is shown on the touch screen, overlaying an exact outline of the traced frame. An operator with little experience can check sizing and is alerted automatically if the lens is too small. Blocking is executed quickly and automatically.

After transferring the blocked lens into the machine, the Axcell CL-D can edge, polish, drill, groove and puts safety bevels on the front and back of lenses. Its 13" X 24" tracer/blocker footprint and 26"x 19" edger footprint make this a compact, multi-functional edger system.

The tracer incorporates Briot's Digiform software and PROS (Pattern Recognition Optical System) imaging technology. Digiform allows you to make shape modifications to a pattern. For example, you can modify the A or B measurement, or just the bottom zone of a progressive. It's not only accurate, but also easy to use. The ability to manipulate the size and shapes for custom-drilled eye wear is also a plus. The PROS imaging technology identifies correct placement of up to 10 holes or slots per lens automatically. The placements can be adjusted on a touch screen.

The all-in-one technology makes the instrument an efficient choice. It's a full finishing lab in a two-piece system. It does everything except mount the lenses, so you don't have to "baby sit" it. The edger has a rimless drill built inside the edging chamber that drills automatically. Edging and drilling are executed in about 10 minutes versus an average of 30 minutes or more using an edger and a stand-alone drill. The accuracy and automation help avoid common operator errors.

You'll come out ahead

The Briot Axcell CL-D saves you time, reduces spoilage and enables you to provide better patient service. You can process jobs in-house that had to be sent out before, thus reducing lab costs. If you think you don't have the volume yet to justify the cost of an edger, consider that the higher level of service you'll be able to provide will quickly grow your practice to the point where the edger becomes a profit center.

Patients appreciate getting custom-made eyeglasses. If you already have a phoropter, it's time to get an edger too; we recommend the Briot Axcell CL-D.

DR. GERBER IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE POWER PRACTICE, A COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN MAKING OPTOMETRISTS MORE PROFITABLE. CONTACT HIM AT (800) 867-9303.