Optical Lab Equipment List for a New Eyeglass Shop

The short answer

The core of an in-house finishing bench is a lensmeter, a centering and blocking device, a lens edger and a hand edger. Add a groover and a drill when you fit semi-rimless and rimless frames, a polisher for exposed edges, and a frame warmer, tools and an ultrasonic cleaner for the fitting counter.

The equipment list, stage by stage

Bench order

Set the bench up in the order the work flows. One published layout, from right to left:

1. Lensmeter
2. Blocker
3. Drawer for blocks and pads
4. Work tray, then the edger, then a second work tray
5. Hand edger
6. Groover
7. Frame warmer

The process follows the same order: verify and mark, block, edge, bevel or groove, drill, polish, mount and inspect.

Space and utilities

• Counter: about 10 linear feet (3 m) holds a lensmeter, blocker, edger and hand edger. Trade guides suggest at least 6 × 6 ft of working area, and about 100 sq ft is comfortable. Counters should carry the weight of the machines.
• Power: a dedicated circuit for the edger, no extension cords, and the voltage and plugs checked before delivery.
• Water: plumbed water with a drain is cleaner and needs less upkeep; a recirculating tank is cheaper to install but needs regular changes.
• Ventilation: normal processing makes little dust, but high-index lenses smell strongly when cut, so an air handler helps.

What to buy first

Start with the jobs you can do every day. Stock single-vision jobs in CR-39 and polycarbonate are the easiest to bring in-house. Progressives, high-index and drill mounts are often sent out until volume and skill justify the extra equipment.

1. Lensmeter, PD meter, frame warmer and tools: needed even if you send all edging out.
2. Blocker, edger and hand edger: the core of in-house edging.
3. Groover and polisher: when semi-rimless work is regular.
4. Drill: when rimless drill mounts are regular.

Stock, staff and turnaround

Keep uncut single-vision lenses in stock for same-day jobs. Modern equipment is automated enough that one or two opticians can learn it quickly. Shops that finish in-house report same-day turnaround on stock jobs.

To judge whether in-house edging pays, compare your monthly outside-lab bill with the cost of the equipment, consumables and staff time.

Ready configurations

Our lab packages follow the same logic: Package A is a manual starter bench, Package B an automatic lab, and Package C a retail counter without edging. Each is a starting point you can change.