SAN MARCOS, Calif.--Signet Armorlite (SA) has announced plans for a new, multimillion dollar technology development facility. “When completed in early 2006, it will allow SA to develop, produce, and test innovations in lens designs, materials and treatments,” stated Jim Misco, the company’s vice president of  marketing.

Staffing for this facility, which will be an expansion of Signet’s HQ here, is already underway.  “In addition to the current R&D staff of scientists, engineers and technicians, scientists with expertise in chemical synthesis and polymerization,” said Dr. Philip Dalsin, VP of R&D, “engineers with specialization in the mechanics and compositions of thin films are being added.” 

Stated Edward DeRosa, SA executive vice president of sales and marketing, “With assistance from our global technology partners, SA introduced KodakCleAR Anti-Reflective Coating for independent optical laboratories with the necessary in-house AR capabilities.  SA has over 1,000 smaller integrated retail and wholesale lab accounts that may not be able to coat lenses in-house, however.  They need our support to provide a durable, premium anti-reflective coating on Kodak Lenses.  So, SA will also offer this service from our new facility.  We will meet the need for uncut Signet Armorlite lenses with Kodak CleAR Coating and be sure that SA remains in the forefront of innovation.” 

“The optical industry is experiencing the most rapid introduction of new technologies in its history,” added Misco. “Signet Armorlite alone has introduced three entirely diverse major technological breakthroughs over the past few years.  Kodak InstaShade Lenses are made with a new proprietary Multi-Matri photochromic technology that allows optimization of both the lens and photochromic properties.  Kodak Precise Progressives were designed with SA’s patented Vision First Design technology, and Kodak CleAR Coating offers a new approach to the anti-reflective coating stack and process with durability on a wide range of lens substrates as the goal.”