For Belgian start-up Morrow Eyewear, the problem in growing digital eyewear was not simply technological however aesthetic. The corporate’s autofocal glasses, designed to seamlessly change between close to and distance imaginative and prescient on the contact of a button, necessitated a body design that would discreetly conceal electronics with out compromising consolation or model.
To realize this steadiness, Morrow turned to Materialise, the Belgian 3D printing specialist, leveraging additive manufacturing to develop light-weight, customizable frames. “Success with sensible glasses shouldn’t be easy,” mentioned Paul Marchal, Chief Govt Officer and co-founder of Morrow Eyewear. “Folks should need to put on them. Meaning marrying aesthetic enchantment with optical functionality. We may meet this problem by capitalizing on the design flexibility and bodily efficiency provided by 3D printing.”
Launched in Belgium in 2021, Morrow’s autofocal glasses present an alternative choice to conventional multifocals. Every body integrates tunable liquid-crystal lenses that electronically regulate focal size. The 3D printed design ensures that the electronics are hid throughout the body whereas sustaining structural precision and light-weight consolation.
Scaling manufacturing
Working with Materialise enabled Morrow to prototype quickly and transition towards scalable manufacturing. Marchal famous that the precision required for the product left no room for variation. “The bevel dimension and inside dimensions should be precise, or the meeting gained’t operate,” he mentioned. “Materialise has turned shade consistency and energy management right into a science, which has been important to our success.”
The corporate initially launched a single body design, however shopper suggestions prompted the introduction of latest kinds. To diversify its portfolio with out overextending manufacturing, Morrow collaborated with Belgian eyewear designer Bieke Hoet, who introduced expertise in 3D-printed trend eyewear. The partnership resulted in additional than 160 body variations out there by means of Morrow’s web site.
Additive manufacturing has additionally allowed the corporate to supply frames on demand, avoiding extra stock and materials waste. “We don’t need to preserve a big inventory,” Marchal mentioned. “Shorter lead occasions allow us to continue to learn what individuals need whereas minimizing waste and dealing capital. You don’t throw away half your inventory on the finish of a season.”
Born in ZEISS
Based in 2016 by Marchal and Jelle De Smet, Morrow emerged from analysis at imec and Ghent College, the place the workforce developed its liquid crystal lens expertise. The corporate has since attracted vital funding, together with greater than €10 million ($10.3 million) from ZEISS Ventures in 2022. The spherical additionally included participation from New Science Ventures, imec.xpand, PMV, Tokai, and Qbic.
In line with Gerrit Schulte, Head of ZEISS Ventures, the funding displays rising curiosity in electrified eyewear past augmented and digital actuality purposes. “The final electrification and functionalization of glasses and lenses is an space typically missed. Options akin to Morrow’s are key in enabling this,” he mentioned.
In early 2024, Morrow expanded its European presence by means of a distribution partnership with Novacel Optical, offering entry to markets in France and Switzerland. The settlement is predicted to carry the corporate’s eProgressive autofocal expertise to greater than 30 million potential customers within the two international locations.
Marchal believes that continued growth in supplies and software program tailor-made for eyewear might be vital. “Processes and supplies should be developed particularly for eyewear, not merely utilized to it,” he mentioned. “That’s why partnerships with corporations like Materialise are important for long-term success.”
