3D-Printed Glasses Are Customized to Fit Your Face

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By Luisa Rollenhagen2013-08-10 08:00:37 UTC

While companies like Warby Parker make the glasses-shopping experience easier, a new startup is looking to join the crowded market with made-to-order 3D-printed frames.

, which specializes in 3D-printed frames, to make the glasses selection experience more user-friendly, customizable, and ultimately individualized.

John Mauriello, a founder and principal designer at Protos Eyewear, explains that since people's faces are incredibly diverse, a small change in frames — sometimes, just one millimeter — can lead to a drastically better fit. But mass-produced, store-bought frames don't offer that customizable flexibility.

Protos Eyewear is currently still crowdfunding to ramp up the number of preorders placed. Customers can order frame templates, which are then adjusted to fit individual facial features, or completely customize a design from scratch.

The company's chief creative, James Peo, is a certified optician, which allows Protos to market prescription lenses, too.

Interested backers send in two pictures of their faces, and Protos' algorithm alters the frames' design before sending the information to the 3D printer. Mauriello explains that the algorithm can rapidly make changes to the 3D models, allowing for more flexibility and less production time.

Currently, users must send their pictures via email, but with more funding, Mauriello hopes they will be able to upload pictures directly onto the site, where the algorithm will process the frames in real time. A web app is also on the roadmap.

The company's crowdfunding site offers special incentives for backers who pledge a specific amount of money, such as a 3D-printed iPhone case for $50 or a custom-fit frame and lenses for $199. At the time of writing, Protos Eyewear has raised over $9,000, with the goal of $25,000 by Sept. 26.

What do you think of 3D-printed eyeglasses? Are they worth your money? Share with us in the comments below.

Image: Protos Eyewear

Topics: 3D printing, Dev & Design, eyewear, Startups, Tech, Work & Play