optical-technician/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — optical technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-9083.00 (Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians).

Task statements

• [Core] Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
• [Core] Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
• [Core] Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
• [Core] Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
• [Core] Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
• [Core] Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
• [Core] Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
• [Core] Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
• [Core] Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
• [Core] Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
• [Core] Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
• [Core] Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
• [Core] Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
• [Core] Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
• [Supplemental] Remove lenses from molds and separate lenses in containers for further processing or storage.
• [Supplemental] Lay out lenses and trace lens outlines on glass, using templates.
• [Supplemental] Immerse eyeglass frames in solutions to harden, soften, or dye frames.
• [Supplemental] Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.

Detailed work activities

• Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
• Clean workpieces or finished products.
• Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
• Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
• Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions.
• Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
• Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
• Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
• Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
• Operate grinding equipment.
• Operate painting or coating equipment.
• Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
• Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
• Remove workpieces from molds.
• Repair medical or dental assistive devices.
• Select production equipment according to product specifications.
• Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
• Shape glass or similar materials.
• Solder parts or workpieces.
• Weigh finished products.