This firm has developed a specialized 3D printer.
EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS — Luxexcel, which has created a 3D printing platform for prescription lenses for use in augmented reality and virtual reality applications, has received an equity investment of 4 million euros (US $4.7 million).
The investment comes from Innovation Industries, a Netherlands-based Venture Capital fund. It will accelerate next-generation development of the platform, according to a press release.
Hans Streng, CEO of Luxexcel, said: “AR/VR applications have become a hot topic in the industry. We add the ability to 3D-print ophthalmic-quality prescription lenses to these applications. This enables the AR/VR headset manufacturers to offer fully personalized smart eyewear in an attractive frame design. The ability of our platform to 3D-print ophthalmic lenses in any shape or form and the possibility to embed new functionalities in the lens triggers entirely new dimensions in terms of user-experience and business opportunity.”
Recently Luxexcel announced a $10 million investment for its core activities in the ophthalmic industry, according to the release. The first industrial grade 3D printing platforms are being installed this year in the U.S. and Europe.
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The additional $4.7 million investment “will be used for rapid expansion of the Luxexcel platform-functionality through dedicated (co-)development programs and partnerships in the domain of Augmented & Virtual Reality also known as AR/VR,” the company stated.
AR/VR applications include smart glasses that provide the user with real-time information for professional and personal use, gaming applications including control consoles for drones, sensors and cameras integrated in eyewear.
Nard Sintenie, founding partner at Innovation Industries BV, said, “We believe that with the technology of Luxexcel it will be possible to combine AR/VR applications with RX eye correction, which is an essential component in bringing smart eyewear to the mainstream market. We are excited about leveraging the high tech network in the Netherlands to enable this unique breakthrough.”
The Luxexcel platform consists of industrial grade optical 3D-printer, lens-design software, ophthalmic quality print materials and workflow integration tools.
The company says the platform offers opportunities for both ophthalmic labs and AR/VR headset manufacturers.
