Shamir Online — Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we are frequently asked about Shamir Online and the VCA Tracer application. To display an answer, simply click on the question.
VCA Tracer
- VCA Tracer isn’t working. What is causing this?
There are several things to check:
- Check the serial port settings on the ‘Communication tab’. By far the most common problem is incorrect serial port settings! If necessary refer to the settings in another piece of software that uses your tracer.
- Check that you don’t have another frame-tracing program running (for example, Eros or Speedmaster). Only one program can communicate with the tracer at a time, so you must close the other program before starting VCA Tracer.
- If you are using a Nidek tracer supplied by Seiko, you must use Nidek mode (not OMA mode).
- If the above does not solve the problem then verify that your tracer is set in an ‘OMA compliant’ mode. VCA Tracer will only communicate directly with OMA compliant tracers. If you are unsure about the mode your tracer is using, please consult the manual or the manufacturer.
- What is the Control Shape? Why does VCA Tracer say that it has failed?
The ‘Control Shape’ is the method used by VCA Tracer to verify that your Tracer is calibrated. During the initial setup of VCA Tracer it is necessary to provide the program with a ‘Master Control Shape’. Before carrying out this routine, we would strongly recommend that you calibrate your tracer. The shape you use as the ‘Master Control Shape’ is up to you, but we would suggest using the calibration jig supplied with your tracer.
VCA tracer requires you to supply a copy of your Control Shape daily as a way to show your tracer has been calibrated. It is important to make sure that this is the first trace you perform in VCA Tracer every day. If you began tracing your frames before supplying the Control Shape it would fail.
- Can I use VCA Tracer with a Briot tracer?
Yes. VCA Tracer supports all current Briot tracers as long as they are running in the industry-standard OMA mode.
- Can I use VCA Tracer with an Essilor tracer?
Yes. VCA Tracer cannot comminicate directly with the tracer (Tess, Phi, etc), so the method is used is like this:
- Use the Essilor program to trace the frame in the usual way.
- Use VCA Trace to upload the shape file to Shamir Online.
For further details please consult our VCA Tracer User Manual.
- Can I use VCA Tracer with a Hoya tracer?
No. Hoya tracers use a private protocol that will only work with Hoya software.
- Can I use VCA Tracer with a Nidek tracer?
Yes. VCA Tracer supports all current Nidek tracers, including the LT-900, LT-1000 and the new LT-910.
We recommend that the Nidek tracer is set to use the industry-standard OMA mode; however, VCA Tracer will also work with Nidek tracers running in the proprietary Nidek mode (if you have a Nidek tracer supplied by Seiko, it will be set to run in Nidek mode).
- Can I use VCA Tracer with a Weco tracer?
Yes. VCA Tracer supports the current Weco Trace 3 tracer.
VCA Tracer does not work with the old Weco 2 tracer. The shape data produced by the Weco 2 is not three dimensional and contains only 128 data points, so it is not adequate for remote edging.
Shamir Online
- Can I order precal lenses without a tracer?
Yes. Shamir Online has a range of built-in “approxi-Shapes” that cover a wide variety of frame shapes and can be adjusted in size to suit.
To access these shapes, tick the ‘Precal’ checkbox and then click on the ‘Shapes’ button. A new window will open, allowing you to select a suitable shape and resize it as required.
- Can I order remote-edged lenses without a tracer?
No. Successful remote edging requires detailed and accurate three-dimensional data taken from the frame that is to be glazed. There is simply no way of obtaining this data without a tracer.
- Can I order two different lens types?
No — the current version of Shamir Online does not support ordering two different lens types.
- How do I order only one lens?
Leave the prescription fields for the unwanted lens completely blank.
Do not fill the prescription fields with zeros! This will be interpreted as an order for a plano lens.
- How do I enter fitting heights?
Enter fitting heights as a value from the bottom rim.
Single-vision lenses must have a fitting height: use the buttons labelled ‘HCL’ to place the fitting height on the centre line. You must select your frame trace before you can use the ‘HCL’ buttons.
- How do I make sure I get stock lenses?
Ordering a stock lens is easy with our colour code system. Start by selecting the ‘Stock’ option from the ‘Technology’ drop down box. By doing this the website will only show you lenses that are in our stock range. The stock lenses you see will also be determined by what you have set in the ‘Lens Material’ field. Beside each lens there is a coloured square: when dealing with stock this square can be one of three colours:
Not enough information (e.g. diameter missing). Within stock range. Outside stock range.
