Lens Drilling Machines for Rimless & Drill-Mount Eyewear
Lens drilling machines, or drillers, are the finishing-lab tools that bore the precise holes, slots, and notches a finished lens needs before it can be assembled into a rimless or drill-mount frame. Unlike an edger, which shapes the lens outline, a driller handles the mounting geometry: it places each hole exactly where the bridge and temple hardware attaches and, on better units, angles the bit so holes stay perpendicular on high-base-curve and wrap lenses. Because every drilled hole concentrates stress, placement accuracy, repeatability, and clean bit work are what separate a lens that lasts from one that cracks around the mount points over time. That is why in-house rimless work is almost always processed on drill-mount materials such as polycarbonate and Trivex rather than brittle CR-39.
As a US ophthalmic and optical-lab equipment provider, US Ophthalmic supplies drilling solutions for labs and dispensaries that produce rimless eyewear in-house, from the standalone Huvitz HDM-8000 drilling unit to patternless edgers with an integrated drill. Every machine is backed by our in-house technical and repair department, genuine spare-parts stock, and full US warranty and service, so your rimless production stays running. Tell us your monthly rimless volume and current edging setup, and we will spec the right configuration on your Request-a-Quote.
How to choose a lens drilling machine
- Standalone unit vs. integrated-drill edger: A dedicated drilling unit such as the HDM-8000 runs in parallel with your edger, so a hole can drill while the next lens is being cut — ideal for high rimless throughput. If your volume is lower or bench space is tight, a patternless edger with a built-in drill puts edging and drilling in a single machine.
- Drilling accuracy and repeatability: Rimless mounting is unforgiving, so look for consistent hole positioning, secure clamping that prevents lens slippage, and repeatable results job after job. Precise placement is what keeps hardware seated and prevents stress fractures at the mount points.
- Hole, slot, and notch versatility: Different mount styles call for round holes, elongated slots, and notches. Choose a driller that covers the range of hole and slot geometry your frame suppliers require so you are not limited on the mounts you can dispense.
- High-base-curve and wrap capability: Curved and sport-wrap lenses need the drill to tilt so holes enter perpendicular to the lens surface. A tilting drill assembly for high-curve processing keeps mounting hardware flush and reduces the risk of cracking on steep base curves.
- Workflow and job transfer: Efficient labs move jobs from tracer to edger to driller with minimal handling. One-click or network job transmission and concurrent processing (drilling one lens while edging the next) cut cycle time and keep the finishing bench flowing.
- Materials, safety, and serviceability: Confirm the unit drills the impact-resistant materials used for drill-mounts (polycarbonate and Trivex), and check practical details like a door safety sensor and a removable waste drawer. Just as important, buy from a provider with in-house service and genuine spare parts so downtime is short.
Drilling options we carry
The comparison below covers the real Huvitz models US Ophthalmic supplies for in-lab drilling — the standalone HDM-8000 unit and patternless edgers with an integrated drill — so you can match the configuration to your rimless volume and available bench space.
| Model | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HDM-8000 (Huvitz Kaizer) | Standalone lens drilling unit | High-volume rimless labs that want dedicated drilling running in parallel with an edger, plus tilting-drill high-curve work |
| HPE-410 D (Huvitz Excelon) | Patternless 3D edger with integrated drill | Shops that want edging and in-machine drilling combined in one compact footprint |
| HPE-810 D (Huvitz Excelon) | Mid-range patternless edger with integrated drill | Growing labs needing faster edging with shape editing and on-board drilling |
Frequently asked questions
What is a lens drilling machine used for? A driller bores the holes, slots, and notches in a finished lens so it can be mounted into a rimless or drill-mount frame. It handles the mounting geometry that an edger does not — placing each hole precisely where the bridge and temple hardware attaches.
Do I need a standalone driller or an edger with a built-in drill? It comes down to volume and bench space. A standalone unit like the HDM-8000 drills in parallel with your edger, which pays off at higher rimless throughput. An integrated-drill edger such as the HPE-410 D or HPE-810 D combines edging and drilling in one machine, which suits lower volumes or tighter footprints. Tell us your monthly rimless count and we will recommend the right fit.
Which lens materials should be used for drill-mount rimless frames? Impact-resistant materials — polycarbonate and Trivex — are the accepted choices because they resist cracking around the drill points. Standard CR-39 is generally too brittle for drill-mounts and is prone to stress fractures at the holes.
Can these machines drill high-base-curve or wrap lenses? Yes. A tilting drill assembly angles the bit so holes enter perpendicular to a curved surface, keeping mounting hardware flush on high-base-curve and sport-wrap lenses and reducing the chance of cracking.
Does US Ophthalmic service and support drilling machines? Yes. Every drilling machine we supply is backed by our in-house technical and repair department, genuine spare-parts stock, and full US warranty and service. Submit a Request-a-Quote and our team will help you spec, install, and support the right unit for your lab.
