Manufacturing acetate frames involves forming large blocks of acetate, from which individual frame parts are cut, hand-polished, and assembled, using a pantographing machine. Acetate, derived from natural cotton fibers and tree pulp, offers flexibility, lightweight, hypoallergenic properties, and a vast array of color options, though it is more expensive and sensitive to high temperatures. In contrast, injection molded frames are made by liquefying plastic into molds, resulting in flexible, cost-effective frames with less material waste. However, injection molded frames require high initial investment and inflexible molds. Both methods cater to different aspects of design and manufacturing efficiency in eyewear.

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MANUFACTURING METHODS FOR ACETATE FRAMES:

  1. The technique involves forming layers of plastic into a large block of acetate
  2.  Different parts of the eyeglass frame are then cut from this large block of cellulose acetate sheet
  3.  After this careful slicing, individual parts are then hand-polished and assembled into a whole frame
  4. The machine used to slice these large blocks of acetate or zyl, is called a pantographing machine
  5.  Block acetate sheet sizes range between 3 feet (0.91 m) in length, and are typically 0.33 in (0.84 cm) thick

Acetate originates from natural cotton fibers and tree pulp, which give the frames a more natural feel. These constituents also make for a very flexible frame. In eyewear manufacturing spheres, acetate frames are said to be included in all colors of the rainbow.

This ease of color variations has also lent the frame material to be an easy-to-make fashion statement, as manufacturers and partnering designers are able to shape, add or subtract different pieces, in order to create different looks.

Pros of Acetate Frames:

  1. Acetate frames are derived from renewable resources
  2. Acetate is non-petroleum based
  3. Acetate is extremely lightweight
  4. The material is also hypoallergenic
  5. This frame type is extremely flexible
  6.  Acetate exceeds injection molded frames in terms of durability
  7.  Acetate frames can be made in hundreds of color variations

Cons of Acetate Frames:

  1. It is more expensive than injection molded frames
  2.  Acetate frames melt easily in extreme heat
  3. Color changes to a milky white in high temperature

MANUFACTURING METHODS FOR INJECTION MOLDED FRAMES:

Injection molded frames, on the other hand, are made likewise from different type of plastic (we mainly use TR90), however with a different method.

  1.  The technique involves liquefying plastic into a mold
  2.  This mold then cools and solidifies into the frame
  3.  The machines used in this process are similarly called injection molding machines
  4.  Colors are added on some of these frames through spray painting and are further coated

Pros of Injection Molded Frames

  1. Injection molded frames are more flexible and can be bent without much damage
  2. The method involves less waste, since molding only uses necessary materials, while block acetate discards unused parts around the cut
  3.  Less waste allows injection molded frames to be less costly than acetate frames

Cons of Injection Molded Frames

  1. Injection molded frames need molds that cannot be changed over time.
  2. High initial investment.

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