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Removing eyeglass coatings from stainless steel fixturing

We manufacture plastic/polycarbonate lenses. We apply Anti-Reflective coating to the lenses and want to remove that coating from the stainless steel rings that hold the lenses during the coating process. What would be the most cost and time effecient way to remove the coating after each use that would not change the properties of the steel?

(The Anti-Reflective coating is made up of extremely thin multiple layers of such materials as Silicium oxide, Zirconium oxide, Chromium-silicone, and Tritanium pentaoxide that are measured in nanometers.)

Barry Lee
Lens manufacturer - Memphis, Tennessee, USA
2005

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I guess no one has any suggestions? or is the problem not stated clearly? The stainless steel is 304. We are currently using glass bead blasting - Potters Ballotini (AD), but this is extemely time consuming and does not clean the entire surface because it can not get into all of the tight spaces. One suggestion from the supplier of the coating system suggested using a KOH. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

B. Lee
- Memphis, Tennessee
2005

In your case I would stay away from chemicals if possible. There is a well known process called vibratory tumbling or spindle barrel finishing. It works by immersing the part in a tub or bowl full of sand or other abrasive and force billions of particles to rub against the part surface. This action easily gets into recessed areas and is particularly effective for complicated geometries. You should try it if you find someone with a tub to fit your racks?

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2005