The pioneer of freeform technology

“Fascination for Innovation” – the slogan clearly reflects SCHNEIDER`s focus on inspiring customers worldwide by developing innovative technological solutions.

Founded in 1986 by Gunter Schneider, the family-owned SCHNEIDER GmbH & Co. KG is one of the world’s leading companies for the development and production of processing solutions for ophthalmics, precision optics, and ultra-precision optics. The company has more than 480 employees and is headquartered in Fronhausen, Germany. Each year, SCHNEIDER manufactures more than 500 machines in four different German production facilities. With an export ratio of 95% and subsidiaries in the US, Brazil, Thailand and China as well as local representatives SCHNEIDER is a truly global company.

In its early days, SCHNEIDER was actively driving the introduction of CNC technology to the precision optics industry. Today, that technology is an indispensable part of spherical and aspherical lens manufacturing and SCHNEIDER has become a main supplier of processing solutions. Optics for medical devices, microscopy, laser applications, vision and projection optics, lithography, and space applications are manufactured on SCHNEIDER machines.

It was in the ophthalmic industry, however, that the German company scored its big breakthrough in. In 1993, SCHNEIDER had the vision to manufacture individual lenses based on freely definable mathematical descriptions and introduced the first high-speed freeform cutting machine for surfacing 3D progressive lenses to the market in 1998. The innovation led to a paradigm change in the optical industry and SCHNEIDER is considered the pioneer of freeform technology ever since.

In 2012, the company once again changed the way lenses are produced with the introduction of the Modulo Line, a one-of-its-kind system solution for automated lens production. The highly integrated and interlinked system approach ultimately results in an unprecedented level of equipment utilization and significant time as well as cost savings. It is a proven real life example of what is known as industry 4.0.

In 2013, SCHNEIDER acquired optical equipment manufacturer Team Henrich & Krall, known for its expertise in cleaning solutions. In the same year, SCHNEIDER launched its very own coating division, run by experts in the field. Today, SCHNEIDER is a full-solution provider to the ophthalmic industry offering cutting edge solutions ranging from the small individual machine to most comprehensive fully-automated production lines to its international customers.

Building on its long-standing experience in freeform diamond turning, SCHNEIDER extended its operations to the nano range, developing machines for ultra-precise 3D-surfaces for head-up displays, augmented reality or head-mounted devices.

Most recently SCHNEIDER acquired W&L Coating Systems GmbH, specialized in extraordinary advanced vacuum based coating technologies and located in Reichelsheim, Germany.

With an average 8 to 10 new development projects a year, SCHNEIDER constantly puts a heavy focus on R&D and new technologies and continues to innovate. We strive to provide our customers with solutions that go beyond their current needs and provide them with solutions that drive their success tomorrow and beyond.

SCHNEIDER - Model APS 3D - Advanced Polishing System 3D - Brochure