| Profile
Colin Wess is a self taught engineer who has worked in
the optical machinery industry for the past 15 years.
Originally a sales engineer with Contact lens lathe
manufacturer CityCrown Ltd. he has worked for or in association with many
of the big names of the optical industry. Colin has worked behind the scenes
in research and development projects in Europe, USA and Asia.
His particular talent is the ability to approach manufacturing
problems from a different angle, then invent a totally new method of producing
a particular lens and build a production prototypes from the ground up.
He has designed and built several different types of CNC
lathing systems in 2, 4 and 6 axis formats. All of these lathes use Air-bearings
and sub-micron position feedback.
More recently he has developed polishing methods for surfacing
aspheric surfaces.
He is able to conceive new machinery designs and build
production ready prototypes usually within a matter of weeks. Larger companies
are unable to work this fast and may take several years to develop a prototype
ready for testing.
Recent History
Truform Optics
Inc.
TFOPTICS.COM
In 1994 TruForm approached Gfeller CityCrown to develop
a lathing system to produce Jan Svochak’s concept translating progressive
multi-focal RGP contact lens. Gfeller CityCrown were unable to supply a lathe
capable of cutting this lens. Colin believed however, that such a machine
could be built and moved to Texas to develop the equipment and technology.
Jan Svochak and Colin Wess share 3 patents and the technology is currently
used to produce the highly successful patented Triune, Llevations and Solitaire
II lenses.
" The equipment which was available
at that time could not produce the complex curvature of my radical new contact
lens. Colin designed and built a totally new concept of CNC air bearing system
upon which we were able to produce these profitable multi-focal
lenses."....Jan Svochak Vice
President Truform Optics Inc.
Technology Resource International
Colin spent several years in Atlanta Georgia working with
TRI, where he designed several CNC lathes for Ciba Vision which he installed
in their Taiwan facility.
He also worked on developing spectacle lens casting and
coating technologies with 2C optics now known as Rodenstock North America.
FCL.
In 1999 Truform Optics granted a license to Franklin Contact
Lenses FCLLENS.COM in the Netherlands
to produce the Triune Multi-focal contact lens for the European market. Colin
built a new 4 axis air bearing CNC lathe on site in Heerhugowaard in about
4 months.
Contact Colin on 07919 486800 (mobile
GB) or an
email
contact for an informal
chat. |
