Bionic Eye

20
In a digital, tool-less, three-dimensional
cutting process, the design of the surface
is a matrix file which is downloaded,
point-by-point, and the machine cuts
according to these coordinates with a
high-precision diamond cutting head. There is
no longer the need to carry thousands of laps
with various curvatures. The cutting process is
much more accurate, resulting in a smoother
surface, so the polishing becomes much less
destructive. That means the prescribed
curvature and the one actually achieved
through machining are identical.
Nikon decided on Toronto for the location
of the new plant because they wanted to
improve delivery times to Canada’s largest
market. Adamopoulos explains: “In addition to
improving the quality of our product, we
expect to gain in service delivery times. We
expect to save a day across the board and a
lot of our customers have been requesting
this. We partner with independent labs across
the country, but we really needed to get closer
to our customers and potential customers in
the Greater Toronto Area.”
In the above paragraph, we would like to
add another reason why we opened this
centre and that is the following – ever since
the launch of Nikon Digital Surfacing there is
an ever increasing demand for our digital
products and Ontario being the fastest
growing market we decided to open a lab in
Toronto to further serve ECPs.
Nikon also wants to expand capacity
in Canada in general. “We have grown
dramatically across the country in the last six
years, with branches in Montreal, Halifax,
Calgary and Vancouver. The Toronto location,
which is very close to Pearson International
Airport, will become one of the premier labs
in North America as it grows,” says
Adamopoulos. “It is a 28,000 square foot
facility, which will eventually have three shifts
employing up to 150 people. We’re intending
to stay and contribute to the community and
we’re definitely planning for growth.”
The other Canadian facilities will also see
additional investment over the next few years.
VISION | jul_aug | 2008 | The Opticians Association of Canada |
According to Adamopoulos, Nikon will be
investing more than ever before in capital
expenditures in Canada this year. “And that is
following on the heels of 2007, which was
another record breaking year. We’re not
resting on our laurels because Nikon has
tended to be the first in introducing new
technologies. Whether its high index lenses,
aspherics or new coatings, we usually lead.
This will remain true as we expand our
presence in Canada.”
Even with digital manufacturing, not all
lenses are created equal. The digital process
itself is driven by three key components: the
design, the calculation package and the
process. Shortcomings in any of these areas
will produce a lower quality optical lens.
Though the room for error is vast, so is the
opportunity to improve the process and the
resulting product.
“Nikon has dedicated resources to making
continued improvements in all three areas.
It’s all part of the wider, long-term Nikon
commitment to R&D. It’s about stabilizing
quality control, controlling environmental
factors and getting a better handle on variation
within the process,” says Adamopoulos.
“That’s where you gain maximum optical
precision.”
While consumers aren’t generally very
aware of lens-manufacturing companies, they
are aware of Nikon as a company that makes
quality camera products – with 90 percent
recognition rate according to Nikon’s research.
The Nikon brand is therefore very credible in
the consumer’s mind. This gives eye care
professionals an excellent base to build on
when presenting the latest generation of Nikon
lenses. Adamopoulos says the newest
generation of lenses – Nikon SeeMax– is so
advanced in performance with a proven track
record that no professional should be anything
less than totally confident in recommending
them. “This new technology offers a far better
product. Nikon’s asphericity is more advanced,
and with this new plant our production
facilities are indeed in a class of their
own.” ISI