The Massachusetts-based superior manufacturing firm’s platform permits for automated, steady manufacturing of micro-scale buildings with out the necessity for conventional tooling or molds, that are options that will enchantment to manufacturers in search of flexibility, quicker lead occasions, and home manufacturing options.
“Not like conventional 3D printers, we produce at micron-scale decision in a steady course of, enabling 24/7 lights-out manufacturing with options fantastic sufficient and quantity excessive sufficient for magnificence functions like lashes and applicators,” Jifei Ou, CEO and Founding father of OPT Industries, informed CosmeticsDesign US.
The corporate’s know-how helps a shift away from inflexible manufacturing fashions by decreasing dependency on handbook labor and abroad provide chains. “Our prospects are real-world examples of manufacturers which can be efficiently embracing this new strategy to fabricate merchandise domestically, and for the primary time magnificence manufacturers can entry true mass customization at scale,” he stated.
Purposes in lashes and applicators
At present, OPT Industries is manufacturing two principal product classes: false eyelashes and beauty applicators, together with brushes for mascara, lip, and forehead merchandise.
Within the lash class, the corporate has utilized shape-memory supplies and comfortable, versatile microstructures to allow customized curl patterns and designs not potential by typical manufacturing. “There’s no want for tooling or hand meeting, gluing or warmth fusing, ” stated Ou, which “means quicker lead occasions, decrease upfront prices, and extra design flexibility for manufacturers.”
For applicators, the know-how permits engineering of “bristle shapes, hole buildings, and floor textures on the micron stage,” he defined, with the aim of enhancing utility efficiency and product pickup.
Accelerating velocity to market
In response to Ou, one of many platform’s core benefits is its capability to assist manufacturers reply to shopper traits with shortened growth cycles. “As an alternative of ready months to answer traits, manufacturers can now transfer from thought to manufacturing in weeks,” he stated.
Utilizing false lashes for example, he famous that conventional manufacturing processes usually contain abroad prototyping and manufacturing with minimal order portions and lengthy lead occasions. “With OPT’s platform, we are able to design, take a look at, and produce new lash kinds in a matter of days. No tooling,” he stated.
Case research: TAD Magnificence
One instance is OPT’s collaboration with US-based model TAD, which used the platform to develop a line of DIY eyelash extensions. Ou stated the road grew to become the primary eyelash product manufactured within the US, incorporating vertical microstructures for simpler utility and a proprietary shape-memory materials.
“Folks describe the lashes as ‘light-weight, comfortable, and extremely natural-looking.’ One reviewer stated they’ve ‘by no means discovered a lash that holds a curl this properly,’” he famous. From the model’s perspective, the power to go from idea to manufacturing rapidly whereas sustaining management over design was a key profit.
Sustainability advantages
Along with velocity and adaptability, OPT’s platform could provide sustainability benefits by on-demand manufacturing and decreased materials waste. “Our course of is digital and additive, that means we use solely the fabric wanted, and no waste from molds or tooling,” stated Ou. He added that the system consumes much less power than conventional injection molding and eliminates emissions tied to abroad delivery.
He additionally highlighted the platform’s position in stock administration, explaining that on-demand manufacturing allows manufacturers to reduce overproduction and keep away from holding extra inventory.
Future outlook
Wanting forward, OPT Industries plans to develop its functions to areas akin to “microneedles and skin-contact applicators, the place type, perform, and security all matter,” Ou stated.
The corporate can be investing in capabilities for customized product growth. “Think about customized lashes, magnificence instruments, and even nails made to suit you, identical to a dentist tailors a retainer or aligner,” he added.
Ou positioned the corporate not simply as a producer however as a collaborative know-how associate. “In case you’ve ever thought, ‘This design is simply too advanced to fabricate,’ or ‘Our present vendor might by no means make this,’ that’s the place we are available,” he concluded.
