Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.
A hot air frame heater is a piece of equipment found in every optical office. It is a device that directs a stream of temperature-controlled hot air onto spectacle frames. The purpose is to gently and safely soften plastic and acetate materials so they can be reshaped for custom fitting.
read more about hot air frame heater ...The device operates like a powerful, specialized hair dryer. It pulls in ambient air, heats it to a specific temperature, and directs it through a nozzle. The controlled temperature is important, as it softens the plastic just enough to be adjusted without damaging or bubbling the material.
Controlled heat is important for safety and preventing damage. Uncontrolled heat, such as from boiling water or a standard hairdryer, can cause plastic to bubble, lose its luster, or snap when bent. The frame heater provides even, safe heat for precise adjustment.
Most adjustments on plastic frames require the heater. This includes bending the temple tips to hook behind the ear, adjusting the temple spread to fit the head width, and changing the face-form wrap to match the wearer's facial curve.
The frame heater helps make sure your backup glasses are adjusted safely. This careful process protects the frame's integrity, giving you a reliable and perfectly fitted pair of glasses when your contacts are removed.
Yes, the hot air heater is used to warm plastic frames just before a lens is inserted, allowing the frame to expand slightly for mounting.
The lens should be protected when using the heater, as excessive heat can sometimes craze or damage certain lens coatings.
No, the heater is only for plastic and acetate frames. Metal frames are adjusted using specialized cold pliers.
If your new glasses have "cracks" or a "cobweb" look on the lens surface (crazing), they may have been exposed to excessive heat during the insertion process. Return them to your provider; this is a manufacturing error that can cause severe glare.
Review of Optometry. Coating Damage in the Lab (reviewofoptometry.com). 2024.
The Vision Council. Finishing and Edging Guide (thevisioncouncil.org). 2023.
ABDO. Spectacle Lens Finishing (abdo.org.uk). 2024.
AAO. Caring for Your Spectacles (aao.org). 2024.