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A hand edger is a manual machine with a spinning abrasive wheel used by optical technicians to shape, bevel, or polish spectacle lenses by hand. It is a traditional tool still found in most optical labs.
read more about hedger in optical labs ...While automated edging machines do the bulk of the work, the hand edger is used for fine, custom finishing. It is used to quickly adjust the size of a lens that is slightly too large, to perform specialized aesthetic bevels, or to make small adjustments to the lens edge that the machine cannot perform.
The technician holds the prescription lens against the abrasive wheel, carefully guiding it to grind away the material. This process requires significant skill and a steady hand to make sure the final lens edge is smooth and clean.
The hand edger is still necessary because automated machines cannot handle every situation. For example, a deeply curved sports lens or a delicate frame that cannot be held by a machine requires the technician's manual touch for final shaping and safety beveling.
The skill of the technician using the hand edger helps ensure your backup glasses are perfect. This skill guarantees that the fine finishing touches on your lens provide maximum safety and clarity when you switch from your contacts to your backup pair.
No, the machine edger cuts the lens to its rough size. The hand edger is used only for small adjustments and final finishing.
The wheel is usually wide and coated in diamond grit, with different grooves to create different types of bevels.
Yes, the process requires great skill. An inexperienced technician can easily over-grind the lens, making it too small for the frame.
If your lenses fall out easily or "spin" in a round frame, they may have been over-finished on a hand edger. This can be dangerous as the lens may drop out while you are driving. Ensure your optician performs a "stress test" on the lenses to verify they are securely glazed.
The Vision Council. Laboratory Safety and Quality (thevisioncouncil.org). 2024.
ABDO. Practical Dispensing Skills (abdo.org.uk). 2023.
Optical Journal. Manual vs Automated Finishing (opticaljournal.com). 2024.
College of Optometrists. Verifying Spectacle Accuracy (college-optometrists.org). 2024.