The Collective [In-Bô]
Originally from all over France, we found ourselves in the Vosges at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Technologies et Industries du Bois. It is around our passions for woodworking and outdoor sports that we have learned to know each other. Our taste for adventure and the desire to create an activity in accordance with our principles led us together towards entrepreneurship.
2013 – The First fruits
The adventure begins during our studies in the garages and attics of our co-locations. Robin starts strong by manufacturing with a friend, hollow wood surfboards. Quickly, Quentin, Antoine and Aurelèle accompanied three pairs of skis. Subsequently, the manufacture of bamboo bikes and wooden glasses leads us to ask ourselves the question: And why not live with our passion?
2014 - Vosgian installation
Very quickly, our project echoes with the Pôle d'Excellence Rural Terre de Beêtre. In order to promote entrepreneurship in rural areas, the PER proposes to enter the Pacelor incubator. We have access to the ENSTIB machinery park and a building on the community of communes of Bains les Bains. Suffice it to say that such an offer does not refuse!
In order to buy the first machines and start manufacturing, we launched a crowdfunding campaign. With more than six times the initial target, or not far from 60000€ We knew that our products were good and that this project would go further.
2015 – The Start
Our project continues. About 50 opticians and skateshops trust us throughout France. The press follows us and allows us to relay our adventure. The fresco of 9 plates, created in collaboration with Pierre Gréau, is regularly exhibited during demonstrations. We meet the Solidream team: a beautiful partnership has just been born! Three Fat Bikes then left on the roads of the Pamir in Tajikistan. We are always accompanied by the incubator, but longer.
The wooden glasses in the Bô
Making a frame requires many steps and great dexterity. Each of the bezel craftsmen makes your frames from A to Z. They know all the machines and control every move.
The birth of a pair of wooden glasses Start with a drawing. In each shape, dozens of prototypes are made to ensure comfort and look. You can then choose from 6 ranges. Each explores an original way to work wood: smoked, tinted, shredded or even printed, it's up to you to choose. The collection consists of 40 models, available in 2 sizes. Drawing by computer, dozens of prototypes are made to achieve the best compromise between finesse, strength and comfort.
Each range explores a specific wood work, a unique way to work wood. Roasted, dyed, shredded or even printed, the rendering will be completely different from one finish to another. Dark or coloured essences are the easiest to wear. We use local wood from countries such as oak and maple. Fine sheets of wood 0.5 mm thick are obtained by slicing. Living material, the colour varies slightly from one frame to another and a certain patina may appear over time.
Nine veneer sheets are glued and pressed into a mould. The wood will keep its shape, will be more resistant and more flexible. This allows you to mount strong correction lenses without opening the mount. The machining is done by hand on traditional bezel machines. Templates allow you to cut your eyes on the top and contour on the pantograph. The drills and the drain are then made, a groove in which the glass is embossed.
The nose supports ensure a good contact surface and slightly spread the face frame. Thus the glasses do not slip and the eye is at a good distance from the glass. Among the two sizes, you will necessarily find mounting on your nose.
The branches are glued so that they refine 7 to 5 layers in the ear. The ergonomic shape of the spatula will scurve outwards to avoid a compression point. Available in two lengths, the branches maintain the mount. The curve allows to come in support of the cranial rock, bone zone behind the ear.
A 5-axis machining centre helps artisans in certain stages of eyeglass manufacturing. Whether manual sanding or the use of state-of-the-art machines, the entire team is versatile. Optionally, you can choose metal branches, made in the Jura. Easy to adjust, they will give a modern style and a feeling of lightness to your mount.
Each bezel is sanded by hand. Special care is given to areas of contact with skin such as nose and branches. This results in a soft and comfortable frame. A laser machine gravens the frame reference. The beam lightly burns wood and leaves a discreet and indelible marking. Take out your magnifying glass. A thin layer of 100% hypoallergenic varnish is applied to protect them from sweat and moisture. Finally, manual polishing on cotton flannels ensures softness and comfort.
We chose flex hinges with double barrel. Resistant and durable, they exert a slight compression of the branches on the skull, ensuring the maintenance of the mount. Assembled by screws, the hinges are securely fixed and can easily be replaced. In case of a problem, it is not necessary to change the whole frame. Hinges can be removed to allow the frame to be recycled. Using clamps, it is possible to slightly distort the foot of the hinge. This allows the spacing of the branches and the pantoscopic angle to be adjusted. The glasses are adjusted to ensure that the branches are straight and parallel.
