6604-00 Lens: Manufacturing, grinding and polishing

     Applies to establishments engaged in the manufacture of precision lenses for their own sales, or for other retailers such as optometrists and opticians. Glass and plastic blanks (or roughs), emery, polishing rouge are received from others. Blanks are heated, placed in molds, formed, annealed (tempered), and ground to curvature, size, gauge and thickness on grinding machines. Using precision lathes with diamond cutting tools, lenses are centered, trimmed, and beveled, then buffed, washed, and inspected. This classification also applies to the manufacture of contact lenses and artificial eyes which are usually molded from acrylics, and/or cut and polished. This classification includes clerical office and sales personnel.

     This classification excludes optical dispensary stores that do no lens grinding which are to be reported separately in classification 6308 and establishments engaged in the manufacture of glass which are to be reported separately in classification 3503.


6604-01 Optical goods: Manufacturing, N.O.C.

     Applies to establishments engaged in the manufacture of optical goods not covered by another classification (N.O.C.), such as, but not limited to, eye glasses, opera glasses, field glasses, goggles and telescopes. Glass and plastic blanks (or roughs), emery, polishing rouge, steel, silver and gold wire rod or tube, sheet plastic and metal are received from others. Blanks are heated, placed in molds, formed, annealed (tempered), and ground to curvature, size, gauge and thickness on grinding machines. Using precision lathes with diamond cutting tools, lenses are centered, trimmed, and beveled, then buffed, washed, and inspected. Assembly is completed by mounting the lenses into frames. This classification includes the shaping of the frames from raw materials or products may be assembled from component parts received from others. This classification includes clerical office and sales personnel.

     This classification excludes optical dispensary stores that do no lens grinding which are to be reported separately in classification 6308; establishments engaged in the precision grinding of lenses or the grinding of blank lenses to curvature and size or the manufacture of contact lenses or artificial eyes, which are to be reported separately in classification 6604-00; and establishments engaged in the manufacture of glass which is to be reported separately in classification 3503.