FRISCO, Texas—DigiCon 2017, the technical conference sponsored by Schneider Optical Machines, drew a select group of optical laboratory managers, lab owners, lens company executives and eyecare professionals who attended lectures and demonstrations of the company’s latest lens processing technologies. The meeting, held here on May 11 and 12, drew 165 customers, a 20 percent increase from the previous DigiCon U.S. meeting in 2013, according to Schneider.
The two-day conference featured workshops presented by Schneider executives and technical experts from the headquarters of its parent company, Schneider GmbH, in Fronhausen, Germany. The workshop topics ranged from the latest enhancements to Modulo, Schneider’s modular lens processing system, to the company’s new automated deblocking and cleaning technology, alloy-free blocking, four-axis edging and coating systems.
Attendees also enjoyed a keynote presentation by Peter Vaas, a former college and professional football coach, who talked about the importance of teamwork and attitude in driving success during the meeting.
The theme of DigiCon 2017 was “Keep your eye on the ball,” and attendees had an opportunity to take batting practice at Dr. Pepper Ballpark, home of the minor league baseball team, the Frisco RoughRiders, on the second night of the event.
DigiCon 2017
Kevin Cross (far right), vice president sales North America, Schneider Optical Machines, welcomes (l to r) his brother Keith Cross, director of sales, optical monomers and coatings, the Americas, ANZ and global Rx technologies; guest speaker Peter Vaas; and Steve Baker, president, Korrect Optical, to DigiCon 2017.
DigiCon 2017
Kurt Atchison, president, Schneider Optical Machines, greets DigiCon attendees.
DigiCon 2017
Gunter Schneider, CEO and founder, Schneider GmbH, presented an overview of the company’s technology and design philosophy.
DigiCon 2017
DigiCon attendees listen to a lecture on Schneider’s new alloy-free blocking technology.
DigiCon 2017
Schneider technicians demonstrate how the company’s troubleshoots its ordering and production systems.
DigiCon 2017
CEO Gunter Schneider answers questions during a tour of Schneider’s Frisco, Texas headquarters.
DigiCon 2017
Stephan Huttenhuis, PhD, vice president of technology, describes how the CCB Modulo automated alloy-free blocking unit works.
DigiCon 2017
Markus Fuhr, manager, coating technologies, Schneider Optical Machinery, demonstrates the company’s new EBC 1400 A-R coating system. The machine can coat up to 320 lenses per hour.
DigiCon 2017
Jürgen Krall, CEO of Schneider’s H&K unit, demonstrates how Schneider is using the Microsoft Hololens augmented reality system to help its field technicians service customers more efficiently.
DigiCon 2017
Peter Vaas, a veteran coach who has worked extensively in college and professional football, talked about the importance of “keeping your eye on the ball” in business.
DigiCon 2017
Mary Nelson (l) and Paul Ponder (c) of Maui Jim’s Rx Lab, relax at the ballpark with Frank Leyva of Younger Optics.
DigiCon 2017
The Schneider “team” took the field wearing personalized baseball jerseys, Schneider’s gift to DigiCon attendees.
DigiCon 2017
(L to R0 Steve Sutherlin of Sutherlin Optical and the Vision Council, with Kurt Atchison and Jonathan Schwartz, an independent lab consultant.
DigiCon 2017
Alan Yuster, president of EDO Lab, with Georg Mayer, international lab support, Rodenstock.