EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands—Luxexcel announced its next generation manufacturing platform, Luxexcel VisionPlatform 7, which makes it possible for businesses to integrate prescription lenses into the production of smart glasses in their manufacturing facilities. The platform includes new features geared for manufacturing smart lenses that are  lightweight, thinner and can be used in commercial frames similar to traditional eyeglasses, the company said.  Fabio Esposito, CEO of Luxexcel said, “The launch of VisionPlatform 7 begins a new era in the manufacturing of prescription smart lenses. To compete in the race to launch consumer-ready smart glasses, eyewear manufacturers need to address prescription in their devices.

"More than 75 percent of the adult world population today requires prescription lenses. Luxexcel provides a disruptive solution where smart technology is seamlessly combined with a prescription lens, rather than adding prescription power to the smart device as an afterthought. Luxexcel is accelerating the market introduction of true consumer smart glasses by allowing technology companies to manufacture prescription smart eyewear in the comfort of their own manufacturing home.”

This launch follows Luxexcel’s  product demo earlier this year, which proved that the three vital elements of AR smartglasses—prescription lens, a waveguide, and a projector in a fashionable device—can be combined into a 3D printed prescription lens.

Luxexcel’s comprehensive material knowledge and family of custom materials ensures that the integrated objects bond well with the prescription material. VisionPlatform 7 also prints critical features, difficult or impossible to manufacture otherwise, such as the air gap required for a waveguide, and printed hard coating, all without birefringence, the company's announcement said.
 
The platform  integrates objects such as waveguides, holographic optical elements, and liquid crystal foils during the 3D printing process. The platform includes high-tech hardware, proprietary materials, advanced software, and processes. With the capabilities to manufacture prescription smart eyewear, technology companies can accelerate their Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear projects.
 
Guido Groet, chief strategy officer of Luxexcel added, “To manufacture a device that combines prescription and smart functions requires a combination of skills in technology and optics. It can be difficult to find this combination of skill sets in one team, so we offer this experience to our partners.”

Luxexcel’s head office is based in The Netherlands, with branch offices in Belgium and the U.S. VMAIL has previously reported on the company's work on a lab installation in the U.S.