Why ART? | Satisloh´s Alloy Replacement Technology for Rx Labs

Reasons to implement Alloy replacement technology in Rx Lens Production

Transitioning from alloy to ART is easy.

With ART (Alloy Replacement Technology) Satisloh offers an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional alloy blocking. ART utilizes a universal, reusable plastic block-piece and a UV-curable adhesive.

Tape for frontside protection is no longer needed. Using this synthetic material combination eliminates hazardous substances like heavy metals and their discharge into the water cycle, helping protect both, environment and staff.

It’s time to make the move!

5 Reasons Why Labs Should Move To ART

1. Achieve Operational Efficiency & Speed

Less process steps: eliminates taping, cool-down time, and detaping
No cool-down time means:
- Up to an hour of process time saved vs. alloy.
- Smaller lab footprint (no stackers/destackers or cooling conveyors required for holding trays during cool-down).
Full process automation including automated block-piece handling. Labor reduction by up to 70% compared to manual alloy.
ART enables seamless, automated lens processing from generating all the way through hard and AR coating (Express AR technology).

2. Increase Yield & Improve Lens Quality

Higher lens surface support for more precise surface cuts and reduced chatter marks.
Feedback loop: ART-Blocker-A probes blank front side and feeds actual measurements to the LMS system for precise recalculation of the back surface.
Spatial blocking for precise lens positioning means highest accuracy of prism and thickness.

3. Reduce Ecological Footprint

ART is free of toxic Lead and Cadmium. This means no water contamination and safe working condition for operators.
Up to 5 times lower water usage compared to automated alloy blocking: ART-Deblocker-2 with WFS2 (Water Filtration System) recirculates water (alloy deblockers do not) and no detaper is required.
Up to 50% lower energy consumption. Only two machines with ART (blocker, deblocker) vs. four with alloy (taper, blocker, deblocker, detaper). No alloy tank heater. No cooling plate.
ART uses 99,99% less mineral materials than alloy avoiding the depletion of valuable resources, such as Bismuth and Indium.*
The use of ART instead of alloy reduces the impact of blocking on climate change by 35%.*

* Life Cycle Assessment by RDC environment. Derived from a simplified LCA (not ISO-compliant). The development of a peer-reviewed ISO-compliant LCA study is in process.

4. Equipment Compatibility

ART’s OPS blocks are compatible with standard equipment collet chucks, allowing mixed production of ART and alloy blocked lenses.
Open system makes transitioning from alloy to ART easy. A gradual transition is possible.

5. Peace of Mind

Secure supply chain
- Adhesive production on two continents ensures uninterrupted availability.
- Alternative raw material sources are available.
Stringent quality control of all ART components.
Adhesive price secure and not subject to market variation like alloy.
160 successful ART installations worldwide, 250+ million good lenses produced.