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Product: Tray-Express
Top Line: Satisloh is introducing Tray-Express, a low-noise, modular transportation system for optical laboratories developed by NCC Automated Systems.
Close Up: “Many labs that have automated over the last seven to 10 years have gone with a flexible chain style of conveyor,” said Chuck McGregor, director of product sales, NCC Automated Systems. “However, many of those conveyors are used to accumulate the pallets at stops and the belt continues to run. The pallet to plastic belt contact causes a loud noise that at times can simply be unbearable.” The Tray-Express System relieves this noise by using a smooth belt conveyor at the accumulation points and flexible chain at the curves. “It’s not just quiet, it’s almost silent,” said McGregor, who is seen in the accompanying slide show with Chris Round, NCC’s director of marketing, demonstrating the Tray-Express System at the Satisloh booth at Vision Expo West. He noted that most systems can be retrofitted with the pallet style of conveyor and keep the same chain conveyor, depending on the age of the conveyor. Many times when those conveyors are removed they can be used in other parts of the facility. “Customers have found Tray-Express saving them money and valuable floor space too. After exploring Tray-Express, customers are also seeing reduced power consumption and overall ease of system complexity,” McGregor added. Tray Express is pre-engineered and pre-assembled which reduces complexity with easy installation and support. This offers a plug and play system for quick production startup. The system also offers an intelligent routing concept where the job trays are automatically routed to the next available process station, processed job trays are then discharged from the loop on a separate track.
Vital Stats:

• Auto-stacker and destacker
• Quiet tray transfers
• Lift and transfer unit
• Zero pressure accumulation
• AC voltage options available: 110-460-VAC
• New 24VDC drive option

Product: Acuitas-Frames Data IDA Integration
Top Line: Acuitas, the leading optical practice management software in Europe, has completed an integration with Frames Data as part of its expansion into the North American market. This integration gives Acuitas users the ability to subscribe to a service, called Frames Data IDA (Immediate Data Access), that enables access to frame information over the web from inside the Acuitas interface without loading a disc or downloading a separate file.
Close Up: “We’re always happy to work with a software partner such as Ocuco that’s automating inventory processes, because the automation makes it much easier for ECPs to realize the full benefit of using Frames Data,” said Tom Doyle, director of marketing and key accounts at Frames Data. According to Doyle, the data, which is updated daily, allows practices to avoid entering the information by hand and is then used to further improve efficiency in the practice. “Once the data is in the software’s inventory database, it’s going to be used to get new frames into inventory with a quick barcode scan, to automate setting your retail rates, automate submitting your managed care claims. It will even automatically add frames to a re-order list when inventory reaches a set level.”
Vital Stats: Acuitas is now one of four completed integrations with Frames Data IDA. The previously completed integrations are with FlexScanMD, Wink and My Vision Express.
www.framesdata.com; (800) 821-6069, ext. 1; www.ocuco.us; (800) 708-1610

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Product: My Mobile Light
Top Line: Technical Vision, Inc. (TVI), a product development company focused on designing and manufacturing assistive devices and technologies for the visually and physically disabled, is launching My Mobile Light.
Close Up: My Mobile Light combines two types of assistance in a single aid for daily living: a clear, ultra-bright LED light to illuminate the travel path of individuals with low vision who suffer from impaired depth perception and spatial cognition, and a walking cane for support of balance and gait. My Mobile Light provides intense and even lighting in a wide arc in front of and laterally along the sides of the travel path of the user to reduce the risk of falling and to create a more confident and independent walking experience. My Mobile Light was designed and tested in collaboration with Audrey Smith, PhD, professor and dean of Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation; low vision rehabilitation therapists at a leading college of optometry; IMET Corp., a Southampton, Penn.-based contract manufacturing and product development firm specializing in PCB Assembly and Electronics Engineering; and MTS Ventures, an engineering, product design and manufacturing company in Allentown, Penn. Low vision simulators were used in development to create the same nighttime travel conditions that would be experienced by people with different types of vision impairments. Varying intensities, spectra and angles of illumination were tested to identify the optimal configuration for navigation in low lighting. “Our goal was to create an effective, practical and easy-to-use daily living aid for people with visual impairments," said Technical Vision CEO Lorraine Keller, PhD. “When testing our device under simulated low vision conditions the most profound realization for me was becoming completely sightless in the dark; only then did I understand the degree of vision loss and disorientation individuals with low vision experience in the absence of adequate lighting." Keller continued, “One of the greatest fears of people with vision loss is getting around safely at home and away without being injured by tripping or falling. Through our testing we've developed a mobility aid that delivers optimal light positioning, intensity and color for the low vision user in a support cane design that is easy to use for everyday support.” TVI has launched a crowdfunding campaign at www.curefunders.com.
Vital Stats:

• Removable end-cap to change two AA batteries inside the handle
• Shielded, ultra-bright, clear, even and wide arc of light that illuminates steps, curbs and other ground level obstacles for a more independent and confident walking experience.
• Height adjustable from 28 to 39 inches.
• Recessed on-off switch that won’t turn on accidentally.