American Optical's Executive
Lens
Manufacturing
in the Lens
Plant "Cement Building" - 2L
The Glass Executive Bifocal
Lens
was introduced by American Optical in 1952.
What follows are images of
this
operation as it existed until the closure of manufacturing in June 2005.
The process and design changed
little since the introduction of this product, and as such must be
considered
the longest running
ophthalmic
lens manufacture of one product type in only one location -
53 years at AO
Southbridge.
Provided by Charles Walsh New Nov 8th, 2010
For those with ophthalmic
lens
interest or knowledge, click here
for
a 1975 Technical pamplet in PDF format.
It may take a while to
download.
RP Blocks- in the forground, the green is "pitch" that holds the in
process lenses during the lens making process
RP Blocking area where Pitch is applied to Lens Blank
AO Designed and Built Machinery still in use since startup in 1957
Tony at the Milling unit
A view of the display case, showing the steps and components of the AO Executive Lens
AO Southbridge Facilities Page
Dick Whitney Jan 25, 2008 Update