Customer Story
Transforming OptiMex lens manufacturing with MES-360.
Laboratorio Optimex, a leading independent lab with a global vision, headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico, has been a key player in the optical industry for over 17 years.
The company operates one highproduction lab with a robust workforce of 400 employees, producing up to 20,000 lenses per day. With a commitment to innovate, Optimex started searching for a solution to streamline its manufacturing processes and elevate productivity.
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Fernanda Santos, Head of Surfacing at OptiMex (Left)
Challenges of visibility into machine downtime and performance
Faced with limited production data and tracking inefficiencies, they needed a solution with real-time monitoring which would allow them to react quickly to machine downtimes and production bottlenecks.
Carlos Cordova, Director of laboratorio Optimex and Fernanda Santos, Head of the Surfacing area at Optimex, recall the challenges the team faced before implementing MES-360 Machine Monitoring.
The team relied on manual tools such as WhatsApp messages to report issues or failures in real-time, leading to delayed troubleshooting and decision-making. While it generally worked, it wasn’t enough for the scale of operations they had grown into.
“We were moving fast, but we weren’t always moving in the right direction. We lacked a clear overview of machine downtime and performance. Production data was inconsistent, making it difficult to identify and address inefficiencies.” – Carlos Cordova, Director of laboratorio Optimex
The decision to implement MES-360 Machine Monitoring
Optimex’s journey with Satisloh’s MES-360 began in 2022, while the selection of the system was mandatory for the project, the system’s simplicity and user-friendly design quickly won over the team.
“Our first conversations about MES-360 started in April 2022, by November 2023, we were live. But as with any major change, there was a lot of excitement and a bit of nervousness. The practical and userfriendly nature of MES-360 Machine Monitoring with clear information on machine performance, downtime and production efficiency in real-time, allowed us to get a complete overview of our production and transformed Optimex’s operations.” - Carlos Cordova
Impact on production and efficiency
With MES-360 up and running, the dashboards offered immediate details of their operations. Every machine, shift and job were now tracked, analyzed, and displayed in real-time.
The transition wasn’t without its hiccups. The team quickly realized that generating accurate reports required meticulous attention that they weren´t used to, this was resolved with additional hands-on training. But even these early challenges didn’t overshadow the immediate benefits.
“Before MES-360, it took time and effort to figure out why a machine had stopped. Now, we can see it instantly. The alarms, the downtime, the errors – they’re all right there for us to respond to quickly and prevent potential quality issues before they escalate,” Santos says.
It was visually simple but packed with insight. The color-coded dashboards helped us see, hour by hour, what was working well and where we needed
to focus.
Fernanda Santos
The turning point
One of the most significant moments came shortly after the system was fully integrated. Optimex had set an ambitious production target, but they needed to ensure the right combination of materials and machine settings to hit their numbers.
By fine-tuning their material mix and optimizing machine output, they hit their target – something that once seemed out of reach. Another key discovery was identified when the team realized how small oversights – like changing polishing pads at the wrong time – could bring the entire production line to a halt.
“It wasn’t something we noticed right away, but the MES-360 data helped us pinpoint it. That alone saved us countless hours of downtime.” - Fernanda Santos
We ran a controlled test using the MES-360 system to monitor the performance of the machines at full capacity. What we found was game-changing.
Fernanda Santos
“It’s not just about reacting anymore. We’re making decisions based on real data, and that’s been a huge shift for us.”
Carlos Cordova
Enhanced decision-making and future growth
Today, Optimex operates with a level of precision that once seemed impossible. Machine performance is no longer a mystery. The team can see, in real-time, how every machine is performing and make immediate adjustments if something goes wrong.
“We now have control over quality, efficiency, and effectiveness in ways we never had before,” Santos shares proudly.
Daily reports from the system give Optimex’s team insight into every detail – from the number of jobs processed to alarms and machine calibrations. The result? More informed decision-making, less waste, and higher throughput.
Into the future
As Optimex continues to grow, MES-360 system is evolving with them. “It’s become a crucial tool for us, and it will only continue to be more important as we expand,” Cordova explains. “The future is exciting. We’re looking forward to new dashboards that will give us even more insight into our production.”
Reflecting on their journey, Cordova is certain of one thing: the transformation has been profound. “MES-360 has changed the way we operate. It’s not just about seeing what’s happening on the production line – it’s about understanding it and making smarter, faster decisions.”
As for Satisloh, Cordova couldn’t be more grateful. “Their technology and service have been outstanding. The costbenefit is amazing, and we’re maximizing our potential thanks to their cutting-edge technology.”
About Laboratorio OptiMex
Founded 17 years ago, Laboratorio Optimex, S.A. de C.V. is a proud member of the Vision Council and serves the North American market with independently owned and operated facilities in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The company is committed to delivering high-quality optical products and services, driven by a dedicated team of 400 employees and state-of-the-art technology.
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