With so much always happening at Santinelli International, it’s hard to miss our press releases in all of the trade publications.
In case you did, you can always catch up with our recent news here!
The Santinelli Value-Edge™ Blocking Pads are made of a specially formulated foam and adhesive combination, designed to improve the edging performance of today’s coated and uncoated lenses. The foam material resists high rotational forces and prevents the pad from “wrinkling”. The adhesive is formulated to bond to all hard coated, standard AR coated and many hydrophobic AR coated lenses, making it an excellent “all-around” pad. These blocking pads are available in several different sizes and shapes.
The Grip-Tight ™ Intermediate Film is a product which was developed as an added security measure against slippage, giving the lens clamp a more secure “grip”. The intermediate film comes in both Standard and High Curve versions. The Grip-Tight ™ High Curve film is thinner and more flexible, and adheres to high curve lenses with better “wet-out” results and without wrinkles. Grip-Tight ™ will work well with any block size and shape.
According to Franco Aluigi, Product Manager, “We are proud to introduce innovative solutions which address the challenges of edging today’s lens coatings. The Value- Edge™ Blocking Pads and The Grip-Tight ™ Intermediate Film will be great cost-efficient additions to any lab, maintaining the quality of lens finishing results.”
While optical pioneer Joseph Santinelli founded the company in 1973, his son, Gerard Santinelli, has presided as President & CEO since 1998. Throughout the decades, success and growth have resulted in relocating from the original “closet-sized” home office, to a larger 8-room office space, and then ultimately into the current, more spacious 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Hauppauge, Long Island.
The company’s heritage began in 1956 with Joseph Santinelli’s contributions to the advent of the first diamond bevel edger, the Diamaline Automatic Bevel Edger, introduced by A. Lemay & Co. What followed was a series of advanced technologies introduced by Santinelli International, such as the first “on-size pattern” edging concept and the first automatic, polishing edger. Partnering with NIDEK in 1991, the company then introduced the renowned Japanese manufacturer’s first lens edger, “3-D Fit” tracer and auto-grooving & safety beveling capabilities in the U.S.
With the flagship ME Lens Edger Series at the apex and the introduction of integrated 3-D drilling boasting exceptional quality and functionality, Santinelli’s line-up serves the needs of all user levels, from novice to expert. Additionally, the company’s industrial lab products have evolved to include the industry’s most advanced robotic handling and dry edging technology.
According to Gerard Santinelli, “Being family-owned enables us to be more responsive to our clients and rapidly adapt according to the market’s needs. After 40 years, we’re still just as passionate about the industry and just as devoted to the success of our clients.” Santinelli added “We’ve built a strong reputation as a provider of high-quality finishing technology and we’re committed to preserving this legacy moving forward by focusing efforts on our clients’ needs and on what we do best.”
The company plans to celebrate the 40-year anniversary at varying times throughout the year, with special associate and client events.
February
Attendees will learn about the Chemistrie™ magnetic lens layering system, an innovative product that can enhance practice offerings and increase profits. With a hands-on demonstration, attendees will be educated on how to assemble a Chemistrie™ sunlens layer onto a pair of Rx spectacles. They will also see the ease Santinelli equipment brings to the making of Chemistrie™.
Attendees are also invited to improve their rimless assembly and adjustment skill set with expert hands-on training. This workshop will feature Hoya lenses, Tura and Lindberg frames. As seating will be extremely limited, Vision Expo East attendees are encouraged to sign-up in advance by calling Michele Candiano at 800.644.3343 (ext. 307).
March
According to Gerard Santinelli, President & CEO, “We know that so many of our clients are incredibly creative and love having the opportunity to be ‘designers’ with their ME edgers. Now they can share their creations with the industry by being a part of our celebratory contest!”
In addition to having bragging rights and their eyewear on display, 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners will receive $500, $250 and $100, respectively, toward any purchase within Santinelli International’s ever-expanding product line. To enter the contest, visit: www.santinelli.com/ThinkOutsidetheBoxEdge.
For additional details, please call Michele Candiano at 631.731.1307.
In addition, the tracer utilizes 50% less stylus pressure to the frame than previous models and thereby eliminates the potential for distortion on even the thinnest, most flexible of frames. This is achieved by altering the angle approach of the stylus-to-frame whereby the pressure is dispersed over a larger area of the frame and at various angles, rather than merely the standard 90 degree angle.
The unit’s newly designed stylus tip is constructed of durable Tungsten-carbide material, prolonging the lifetime of the stylus. Furthermore, the stylus tip is designed to reduce abrasion and friction allowing for a smoother, more accurate digitized trace of any frame time after time.
The three-axis assemblies, Horizontal, Vertical and Rotational, which control and guide the stylus operation, are 100% gear-driven. Therefore, the unit’s stylus turret is void of obsolete belts, pulleys or bearings, protecting its functionality from harmful debris. In addition, upon closing, the upper and lower frame sliders interlock in a “tongue-and-groove” design, thereby protecting the mechanical core of the tracer. As a result, the LT-980’s technology will provide years of trouble-free operation and optimum performance.
February
Upon its debut at the 2010 SILMO trade show in Paris, the Me 1200 was honored with the SILMO d’Or Award recognizing innovation, technology and creativity. The Me 900 offers the same superior quality and much of the same technology as its “big brother”, yet at a more economical cost-of-ownership level.
The new unit features the identical, industry-leading 3-D Drilling, 3-D Grooving and Advanced Shape Editor functions as its predecessor. The high precision Safety Beveling feature is also included. In addition, the Me 900 features a Radius Measurement Unit (RMU) which measures the radius of the lens for proper cut-out and orients the lens for faster processing speed. The unit’s BMW-style “Jog-Dial” operations provide ease-of-use and precision operation, as does the new graphic design color display.
The addition of the new Me 900 rounds-out and expands the company’s drilling line. Now Santinelli International effectively offers three different drilling edger models with various features and at varying price levels, all available with a multitude of blockers. The end result is that ECPs now have several options to customize a system which will meet their own lab needs and budget.
Gerard Santinelli, President & CEO of Santinelli International said “For those practices and wholesale labs that have heard about how phenomenal the Me 1200 is, we are pleased to offer this modified version of that revolutionary model. Now, our advanced drilling and grooving features are more accessible than ever with the introduction of the Me 900.”
As with all other Santinelli drilling models, the Me 900 is available with the optional Click Mode software for processing Chemistrie™ Magnetic Layered Lens System, providing an additional profit-generating function. A simpler, modified version of the Me 1200’s technology makes the Me 900 a highly valuable addition to finishing labs.
March
Chemistrie™ is a patented lens layering system that utilizes magnets embedded in the lenses of prescription eyewear to attach lenses for sun protection, readers, and 3-D video. The ultra-light Chemistrie™ lenses are custom made to match the shape and base curve of the prescription lens and provide a seamless fit. Chemistrie™ series of products are a significant breakthrough as compared to previous generation clip on lenses.
Chemistrie™ products can be made on Santinelli lens edgers at the push of a button utilizing the Click Mode Software. With the Click Mode software, the operator can easily align and drill the magnets along with edging the lens for a perfectly made Chemistrie™ product. Manufacturing the Chemistrie™ products on-premise with the Click Mode provides a competitive advantage and an additional revenue source for any practice or wholesale lab.
The “Success Click Kit” offered to Santinelli retail clients by the two companies includes the proprietary Click Mode software and a Chemistrie™ Retail Success Kit which includes a “start up” inventory of Chemistrie parts, an attractive point of purchase display and a free on-site training session for producing Chemistrie™ Products.
According to Gerard Santinelli, President and CEO for Santinelli International “We are so pleased to extend our agreement with Eyenavision. We have built a strong alliance with this innovative company and our clients have generated great success creating the Chemistrie products with our ‘Click Mode’ software.”
Joseph Zewe, Eyenavision’s President and CEO, adds: “We are happy to continue to work with the Santinelli team and look forward to satisfied customers making Chemistrie™ products on the Santinelli lens edging equipment.”
The AES-2200 incorporates two of the company’s new “24/7” industrial edger units, the SE-9090 Supra, introducing in-chamber grooving and customizable shelf beveling capabilities. Additionally, the renowned high-base curve edging and custom beveling capabilities of the company’s previous industrial model (the SE-9090 Express+) are incorporated into the AES-2200. The unit’s robust, dual-spindle wheel configuration is another highly-valued, continued feature.
The robotic system utilizes a unique hybrid design combination of conveyer belt and a dynamic tray-lifting mechanism that eliminates job “bottle necking” and allows four jobs to be in a processing stage continually. Moreover, the intelligent synchronization of the system is capable of bypassing any problematic job tray, while keeping the other edger units operating at full efficiency. New, lightweight “dual robotic arms” reduce lens transport time from tray to chuck by over fifty percent.
According to Gerard Santinelli, company President & CEO, “This incredibly robust and innovative system provides the best jobs-per-square-foot ratio ever introduced. We’re very excited to unveil this innovative system at Vision Expo East and equally excited about its ability to assist high-volume labs throughout the country.”
April
“We all just loved being a part of this worthwhile cause and giving back to the community,” said Gerard Santinelli, company President & CEO. “It was also a great team-building experience. We hope to make it an annual event!”
May
According to Rick Clemente, Executive Vice President of Sales & Service, “Due to the increased demand of in-office finishing, we are expanding our sales team to even greater levels. With so many clients and opportunities in the Southern California region, for the first time in the company’s history, we’ve divided the territories resulting in increased attention and coverage.”
June
July
According to Rick Clemente, Executive Vice President of Sales & Service, “I’m confident that Sam and Chris will be extremely valuable additions to our strong team of sales consultants. Their solid backgrounds will enable them to quickly hit the ground running, in order to enhance our customers’ Santinelli Experience.”
Various professional speakers and industry partners were present to provide innovative training and deliver valuable programs and support. The company’s new website, www.santinelli.com, which features enhanced navigation, new search capabilities and an expanded selection of videos and product literature, was unveiled to the group. As a fun, team-building activity, the group of 25 took an excursion across the San Francisco Bay to tour the renowned Alcatraz Prison.
According to Rick Clemente, “We are all excited about the creative ideas and progressive initiatives that resulted from this meeting and we are confident that they will positively impact our customers’ Santinelli Experience.”
With a series of reoccurring webinars scheduled for the near and long term future, the team will continue to collaborate in an on-going effort to advance the best-of-breed products and top-ranked services the company provides to its large customer base.
The innovative pads offer a “one-step approach”, eliminating the need for intermediate film and thereby streamlining the process of accurate blocking. The pads are designed to adhere to hydrophobic coatings, while maintaining all-important axis stability. They are available in five types of varying sizes and shapes, and for different block types.
“The 3M LEAP LSE Pads are manufactured with intermediate film properties built right into the pad which eliminates supplementary products usage, ultimately saving time and money,” said Gerard Santinelli, company President & CEO. “We’re proud to offer this exciting, high tech solution to the industry.”
For free 3M LEAP LSE Pad samples, please call Santinelli International at 800.644.3343 (EDGE), option 6.
August
Attendees will learn about the Chemistrie™ magnetic lens layering system, an innovative product that can enhance practice offerings and increase profits. With a hands-on demonstration, attendees will be educated on how to assemble a Chemistrie™ sunlens layer onto a pair of Rx spectacles. They’ll also see the ease that Santinelli equipment brings to the making of Chemistrie™.
Additionally, attendees are invited to improve their skill set of rimless assembly and adjustment with expert hands-on training. This workshop will feature Hoya lenses, Tura and Lindberg frames.
As seating will be extremely limited, Vision Expo West attendees are encouraged to sign-up in advance by calling Michele Candiano at 800.644.3343 (ext. 307).
September
The Xtrimer SE-1 was designed in Japan by NIDEK Lens Edger engineers with the ultimate goal of providing the latest and most advanced dry edging technology and cutting- edge software — all in the extremely user-friendly, reliable, and space-saving design that NIDEK is known for internationally.
With its robust construction yet compact size, the Xtrimer SE-1 will be a perfect addition to high volume retail labs and industrial wholesale labs alike, and will be ideal for all organic lens materials, including Polycarbonate and Trivex. The all-new platform will feature the company’s signature quality high curve beveling, grooving, drilling, polishing, safety beveling, customized shelf beveling, inclined beveling and partial step beveling. The Xtrimer SE-1 will be available as a stand-alone edger and is also designed to operate in a large volume capacity in conjunction with the RHU-2200 Robotic Handing System.
“The word ‘revolutionary’ will come to mind when seeing and experiencing our all–new dry cut edging unit,” said Gerard Santinelli, company President & CEO. “We believe the market has been waiting for us to introduce an industrial lab product of this caliber and we are beaming with pride about the global premier of this exciting high-tech solution.”
October
According to Gerard Santinelli, President & CEO, “We continue to find ways to raise the skill levels of our staff and we recognize the importance of investing in their professional growth.” Mr. Santinelli continues, “The response from our associates has been extremely positive! In a world of technology that’s as rapidly changing as ours, the opportunity to keep up to speed on the very latest in Information Technology is invaluable.”
November
Santinelli, the leader in lens finishing equipment, is based on Long Island, NY, an area that sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Sandy. Although company associates, their families and the office itself were spared any severe damage, the hurricane’s effects have touched the lives of all.
According to Gerard Santinelli, President & CEO, “We all want do our part in some way, especially since so much of the damage occurred virtually in our backyard”. Mr. Santinelli added, “We will continue to keep those who were affected in our thoughts and prayers.”
Edger sale donations will be made on behalf of the purchasing practice and will enable the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by this massive storm. Additionally, donations independent of any purchase can be made directly to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
December
According to Rick Clemente, Vice President of Sales & Client Service, “We are excited to welcome Thomas to our team as he brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and understanding of meeting client needs. Having Bill in Southern California will complement our already existing coverage in a vast area of the country.”
