AM Finishing Line for Eyewear

About the project

This project aims to enhance the quality and reproducibility of colouring 3D-printed eyewear frames, ensuring consistent high-quality results across various production environments. By optimising water treatment, refining colouring processes and adjusting consumable compositions, the current limitations in colour stability are addressed.  

Key activities include analysing influence factors, testing adjustments to processes and systems and validating the new solution in operational setups. The project targets eyewear manufacturers and service providers, enabling them to adopt sustainable, scalable production methods. Ultimately, this initiative supports the shift towards sustainable manufacturing and improved supply chain efficiency. 

Challenges

The main challenge is achieving consistent colour stability and quality in 3D-printed eyewear frames across different production environments. Variations in local water quality and other environmental factors currently lead to colour inconsistencies, affecting product quality and increasing waste.  

Despite the high-level quality achievable with manual adjustments, the process is not scalable for industrial production. Addressing this requires a comprehensive approach, including enhanced water treatment and refined colouring processes. Overcoming these challenges will enable the eyewear industry to adopt scalable, sustainable 3D printing technologies, ensuring high-quality, reproducible results. 

Solutions

The project proposes optimising water treatment, refining colouring processes and adjusting consumable compositions to address colour stability challenges. These solutions were identified through detailed analysis of water quality and its impact on dyeing. Key features include an advanced reverse osmosis system and adaptable colouring recipes.  

Implementation involves rigorous testing in lab and operational setups to ensure consistent results. Expected results include a 95% reduction in colour variation, enabling scalable, high-quality production. By achieving stable, reproducible colours, these solutions will meet the industrial demands of the eyewear market and promote sustainable manufacturing practices. 

Expected results

• Through this project, the aim is to achieve consistent high-quality colouring of 3D-printed eyewear frames, reducing colour variation by 95%. Specific targets could include successful implementation of an advanced reverse osmosis system, optimised colouring processes and reproducible results across different production environments.  The overall outcome will significantly reduce waste, enhance supply chain efficiency and promote sustainable manufacturing practices in the eyewear industry. By meeting these targets, it is envisioned that widespread adoption of 3D printing technologies for eyewear will occur, setting new industry standards for quality and sustainability.