PPG has announced an exclusive supplier agreement with Flō-Optics, a developer of digital manufacturing technology for the ophthalmic industry, for the application of PPG HI-GARD® scratch-resistant coatings using Flō’s proprietary digital printing technology.
According to the company, the agreement will enable the first-ever digitized lens coating solutions using additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, technology. The company says the digitized process will enable ophthalmic labs to apply coatings to lenses with precision for a customizable production method that allows for lenses with unique performance capabilities.
“Pairing PPG’s coatings expertise with Flō’s breakthrough manufacturing technology opens the door to completely transform the way optical products are designed and developed into future-ready solutions,” said Zachary White, PPG global segment manager, new markets, Optical Monomers and Coatings. “Flō’s technology has the potential to redefine the way optical lens products are created in prescription laboratories.”