How Eyewear Manufacturer Plastinax Uses SLA and SLS to Reduce Lead Time By 40%

Since 1976, Plastinax has been manufacturing eyewear for global brands, producing high volumes of frames each month. To remain competitive, they needed to expedite design and manufacturing processes. To achieve this, they integrated Formlabs SLA and SLS 3D printers into their workflow. The printers allowed them to create functional prototypes for customer evaluation, produce 3D printed tooling, and expand their range of designs. Bringing 3D printing in-house reduced lead times and improved responsiveness. The company now uses both SLA and SLS materials for frame production and has increased the number of resins they use. The additional capability of 3D printing nylon prototypes led them to invest in the Fuse 1 SLS 3D printer. With the ability to rapidly respond to client requests and easily make changes to designs, Plastinax has improved their competitiveness. They can produce multiple variations of frames and quickly send prototypes to clients, securing contract orders more efficiently. The Fuse 1 has streamlined their workflow, and the combination of SLA and SLS technologies allows for both surface quality and strength and durability in their prototypes. Plastinax sees customization as a valuable capability in the eyewear industry and plans to explore direct-printed end-use frames in small volume series production. Ultimately, 3D printing has been a game-changer for Plastinax, allowing them to innovate and meet the demands of a global market. [Read more](https://formlabs.com/blog/eyewear-manufacturer-plastinax-uses-sla-sls-to-reduce-lead-time-by-40-percent/)