Are you curious about how manufacturers make sunglasses? Here’s the complete sunglasses production process. Let us share with you the most common steps in creating these stylish sunglasses.
The production of metal sunglasses always involves brazing or soldering of the metal. It involves melting the material to fuse two parts. Then, a computerized machine will shape the metal eye frames and the bridge and temples.
Learning how producers make metal sunglasses are essential. It’s true if you want to enter this industry. It will help you understand the complete production process. This way, you’ll know what to expect. You can also ask the right questions when dealing with your supplier.
Metal Sunglasses Production Process
Metal sunglasses production involves precision cutting and brazing. The suppliers are extra careful because one mistake is a tremendous loss. They also have to ensure the sturdiness and durability of the eyewear. Thus, here’s a brief explanation of the making of metal sunglasses.
Step 1 – Rim Forming
Rim forming is the making of the metal eye frame. Every supplier can make a metal eye frame depending on the design. But how can they form and cut it?
It all starts with a computerized system called a three-axis eye winding machine. For most producers, it is the term they use for this apparatus. It has a set of rollers that pull metal wires from a big spool.
Software controls the machine bends the wire according to the frame shape. It will also cut the end after shaping. The software ensures that the lenses will fit into the pre-cut grooves or the frame.
It’s how modern sunglasses production has become. These types of machinery improve the making of metal sunglasses today.
Step 2 – Making the Inserts
Inserts are the small part you can see on one side of the metal eye frame. It connects the two ends of the eye frame and holds them close around the lens.
The manufacturers put the pre-cut metal frame on a clamp machine to make the insert. Then, they would apply a cleaning agent called the flux.
Welding flux is a liquid element. It comprises carbonate and silicate materials. It is a material in any welding process. First, the flux shields the metal frame from any atmospheric gases. The producers also use it to clean the area that they need to weld.
Once the welding process starts, its heat reaches the flux. So, it results in faster melting and out-gassing of the metal.
Then, the produced gasses push the atmospheric gas away from the metal. Thus, the combination of flux and welding heat prevents oxidation or rusting of the metal.
Next, the producer will use a filler wire. It is a metal that manufacturers usually add to make a joint in the sunglasses.
Again, they can achieve it through welding, brazing, or soldering. An electric current heats the wire metal frame and inserts until both melt and fuse.
Step 3 – Making of the Screw Hinge
Making the screw hinge is almost the same as the inserts. A screw hinge is a piece that attaches the arm or temples to the eye frame.
Again, manufacturers use electrically-generated heat to fuse the screw hinge to the insert. This process is what experts call brazing, which is almost like soldering.
Step 4 – Putting the Bridge
It is the piece over the nose that joins the two eye frames. There is a small press that shapes a small metal to the shape of the bridge.
Then, they align the eye frames in an assembly jig. This way, the manufacturers can align the metal eye frames to each other.
The producer will put the pre-shaped bridge between the two eye frames. Brazing melts and fuses everything until both eye frames stick with the bridge on each side.
Step 5 – Attaching the Brow Bar
A brow bar is the metal piece that you can see above the bridge. Most suppliers use an automated machine that cuts the metal wire to pieces with the right length.
Then, it curves grooves in both ends of the brow bar. It enables this part to fit on top of the eye frames. Finally, the machine will bend the pre-cut brow bar to its appropriate shape.
Now, the brow bar will go to the right place. The supplier will first apply flux. The material will remove any dirt or dust that may prevent the metal from fusing. Then, the brazing of the brow bar to the eye frames begins.
Step 6 – Making of the Pad Arms
Pad arms are little hooks that hold small pads under the bridge cushion under your nose. So, your nose won’t feel tired when you wear sunglasses. Again, the producer fuses the pad arms to the metal eye frames through the same brazing process.
Step 7 – Welding of the Temples
Temples in sunglasses are those two arms that hold the eye frames on one side and sit on your ears on the other side. Why call it temples?
It is because this part lies at the level of your temples when you wear sunglasses. Depending on the brand, the supplier may stamp the name, logo, and cut the temples to the right size.
Then, they fuse a hinge to both temples and press a plastic sleeve on the other end. The hinge is for attaching the temples to the eye frames. The plastic sleeve is for the comfort of the wearer’s ears.
Next, the producer will screw the temples to the eye frame through its respective hinges. This way, the wearer can bend the temples when not in use.
The arms of most sunglasses have curled ends for hooking over your ears. It adds more comfort and security when wearing sunglasses.
But, of course, there’s a machine that does this job. A piece of special machinery uses pressure to bend the metal temples or arms to 45 degrees.
Step 8 – Polishing the Sunglasses Frame
The next step is to polish the frame. The producer will make sure it is flawless and free of any scratches. Its frame should have no marks of welding.
The attached parts of the frame should look clean and smooth, even on the edges. Then, the supplier will start the plating.
Step 9 – Plating the Sunglasses Frame
It is adding a ‘golden’ color on the frames. Sometimes, they will improve the silver color of the metal. It gives a more sophisticated look to the sunglasses.
The plating does an excellent job as a protection against corrosion. Metal sunglasses are more prone to this chemical change.
Several factors like atmospheric chemicals and weather contribute to this condition. So plating is essential in almost any metal sunglasses.
Step 10 – Attaching the Lenses
After making the temples, the supplier would have to set it for a while to cool down. This way, it can ensure proper solidification of the metal.
While cooling down, most suppliers will position the lenses to the metal eye frame’s groove. Then, they will screw the temples to the sides of the metal eye frames.
Step 11 – Packing
Finally, the manufacturer packs the sunglasses. But they would only start this process if both parties agree the quality of metal sunglasses is excellent.
Before packing, it is your job to do quality checks. Make sure that the metal frames have proportion sizes. Check if the eyewear is complete in parts. It should be durable and comfortable to wear.
Final Words
If you want to build your own eyewear brand, learn how suppliers make metal sunglasses. You must understand every procedure. So, you can ask questions and take necessary actions. You’d never have to guess when your clients will ask you how you made your metal sunglasses. As the owner, know every aspect of making your eyewear.
