Sounds like the eventual end. Will be learning how to take raw circler optical lenses. As the optical centres do. And build the tools for folks to shape them at home.

Such a project would be a huge advantage to many 3rd world environments. And would likely be about embedding quality glass cutting blades etc into 3d printed frames/mechanisms. Likely from PA. With the ability to embed metal rods and gears where stability, strength is needed.

It’s a guess ut I imagine the issue you have. Is most commercial opticians just see this as less option for them to sell overpriced frames. So agreeing to shape lenes for frames they dont sell. Is just a way to support the end of their profit line.

In the UK, when we started seeing the Chinese companies selling online glasses. We had lots of opticians refusing to give copies of the RX. Or limiting the positioning info they give. As all that part is NHS funded. Laws helped. But without legal force, companies ain’t going to help themselves lose business if it is obvious.

Pretty sure you will earn forgiveness for that pun.

Eventually

In the early days, all those types of film were sold in injection moulded clip on cap tube canisters.

But I shouldn’t be surprised that the small sales market today. Means no one is running a big factory selling the canisters. I only ever used 32mm. My brother did a little with larger format films, so I can ask if he has any canisters in the attic. If that helped at all. (measurement and design wise) Not sure what other help I can offer. But if you think of anything a guy from the times film was common can offer. Feel free.

cool. I agree with the self made.

Myself, my vision is now at the point glasses no longer help.

Chinese companies online will sell you real cheap glasses. With RX lenses. Like 10-15 a pair.

The frames are cheap crap. But the lenses normally adequate for anything not to specialised.

I find knoowingbthe basics helps.

I use blender. Its not perfect for 3d modeling. But I knew it a little to start. Also easy to set up on linux.

But honeatly learning its scale odds. (Defaults 1m to mm) boolean modifiers and 3d print tools. (Allow testing for real world models and extra faces.)

Really is all i need to modify stls and make my own sruff.

These are the desiccant containers I am printing now, in PETG. Less pretty, but I think they are more functional.

https://www.printables.com/model/50375-desiccant-silica-hygrometer-spool-container-modula

Ok So I now have the 3d printer up and working. ( yeah, slow for obvious reasons )

Pics below.

Basically, I’m printing stuff for the printer to gain skills. PVA to start, I printed a Bowden tube adapter. Mainly so I can run filament directly from the dryer when using hygroscopic stuff. https://www.printables.com/model/983043-elegoo-neptune-4-pro-bowden-tube-spool-holder-moun

Also, printer a few of these desiccant holders. But in PLA they seem to shatter easy when tightening the lid. So I’m printing another design in PETG ATM

I need to add a vent to the tent pefore trying to play with Nylon. So thats my next task. Just need to workout something.