Cherry Optical Lab

“We have the latest and greatest optical machines!”
- Every other optical lab.

But you know what they don’t have? The industry’s most skilled technicians to operate this equipment.

Our team members understand optics. They know what properly assembled eyewear looks like and the steps it takes to reach excellence. Each process is carried out with exacting precision. And, if you visit our facility to see us at work, you’ll also notice that there are inspection stations throughout the manufacturing cycle. That’s because our team holds themselves to the highest standards—and we believe that constantly checking for quality is the key to delivering perfection.

Scroll down to read more about our processes and the people behind them.

AR Treatment & Mirror Coating Facility

At Cherry Optical Lab, our passion for making the most advanced optical coatings led to our investment in a progressive, on-site anti-reflective treatment laboratory. As an independent Essilor distributor, Cherry formulates and processes world-class leading Crizal® No-Glare lenses at this facility. The Crizal® coatings are known for their anti-static qualities and are made of multiple layers, allowing for decreased reflections, easier cleaning, and improved light transmission for clearer vision. Through Cherry’s 24-hour, on-site AR treatment facility, eye care professionals benefit from significantly reduced turn-around time as well as unparalleled lens clarity, durability, and resistance to scratching.

In 2019, we expanded our coating facility to include the addition of Essilor’s D645 Dip-Coating line, Quantum Innovation’s Fusion M, and Satisloh 1200-DLX. Added to our current 2 x Leybold Boxers, these updates have boosted our throughput while also increasing on-site manufacturing capability. Our continued partnership with Essilor, while remaining 100% independently-owned and operated, has Cherry positioned to produce current and future versions of Crizal ARs. The Fusion M allows us to provide custom mirror coatings on-site, and the Satisloh 1200 will more than double our capacity and speed.

But the powerhouse behind our AR facility is Ryan. Meet Ryan:

After seriously injuring his eye at the age of 19, Ryan became fascinated with the workings of the human eye. Today, he channels that obsession into making sure the processes for applying the Crizal® anti-reflective coating to lenses are carried out to a T.

Mei & Schneider Lens Milling

Our finishing process includes four automated MEI CNC milling machines that allow us to handle everything from simple edging jobs to the complexities of sport and fashion frame designs. By adding Schneider’s HSE MODULO milling technology to the mix, by way of the HSE MODULO and HSE Modulo QS, we're able to provide a previously unimaginable increase in jobs per hour without sacrificing our ability to customize the beveling needed to deliver outstanding cosmetic and functional fitment. Every lens, no matter the price, gets the same advanced edging treatment at Cherry Optical Lab.

But what really makes our Mei Milling special is Josh. Meet Josh:

Josh is a detail-oriented and dedicated professional who takes great personal pride in making sure each pair of glasses fits perfectly in the frame. He’s also a problem-solver who thrives on tackling a good challenge - so he happily tackles our most complex orders to make sure they’re exemplary.

Digital Freeform

In 2007, Cherry Optical Lab began 100% digital surfacing, which allows us to manufacture lenses at a much higher degree of precision. Digital surfacing uses Schneider's CNC lathing technology that is calibrated to within 0.001 mm accuracy. Through digital surfacing, Cherry can produce numerous freeform lens designs. As early adopters of freeform technology and digital surfacing equipment, Cherry’s experience is unique. On a national scale, the percentage of freeform progressive addition lenses is close to 65%. Here at Cherry, nearly 100% of our progressive lenses are freeform designs.

But what really makes our Digital Surfacing unique is Jon. Meet Jon:

A Cherry employee since 2007, Jon keeps the equipment in our 24-hour lab running smoothly, checks lenses for clarity and quality, and trains our digital surfacing technicians. An adrenaline junkie outside of work and a high-energy perfectionist in the lab, he’s all about becoming best in his field in digital surfacing technology.

Inspection & Verification

When lenses are ready to be inspected, they are sent to our ultra-precise A&R MBVP and Focovision SPV-2 systems. These machines will inspect the lenses in a unique way that makes the process extremely accurate and efficient. The prescription, prism and add power (when applicable) are read in a matter of seconds by a series of light beams transmitted through the lens at the proper reference points. Optical power is accurately measured to 0.02 diopter.

But what really makes our inspection phase the best is Kerry. Meet Kerry:

Kerry was one of the first employees the Cherry’s hired outside of family members, she’s been with us since 2002. As the finish production manager, her first love was the AR Focovision and ever since she’s been hooked on precision optics.