Focus on Innovation: Curiosity and Precision in PVD Coating
Tyrece Malinic is a shift supervisor in the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) division of the Silhouette Group. Together with his team, he ensures every day that up to 45,000 eyeglass components are not only technically optimized but also visually enhanced. Curiosity, the pursuit of continuous improvement, and a passion for making things better drive him.
Tyrece, what are your responsibilities?
As a shift supervisor, I’m responsible for coordinating operations in the PVD facility. We process a very large number of eyewear components every day, which are coated for both technical and decorative purposes. This involves not only organizing the shifts but also continuously optimizing processes and ensuring quality. An important part of my work is providing technical support for our equipment, as well as troubleshooting malfunctions and process deviations. We perform maintenance ourselves and regularly replace the entire internal components of the machines, which are then cleaned using sandblasting. At the same time, I’m involved in the development of coatings—that is, how we can make materials even more durable or visually appealing.
Can you briefly explain PVD technology? What makes it so special?
PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. In this process, a solid material is vaporized in a vacuum and applied as an extremely thin layer to the eyeglass components. In our system, this is achieved through a process called sputtering, or ion bombardment. This creates a plasma that converts the material (target) into a gaseous state. This then condenses onto the surface of the parts. The addition of gases such as nitrogen or acetylene creates different chemical compounds and therefore different properties and colors. The interplay of vacuum, gas, temperature, and target power is crucial—these parameters determine the coating. By adjusting these parameters, we can create, for example, new color tones or even more scratch-resistant surfaces.
What personally inspires you about your work?
I’m fascinated by the versatility of PVD technology. Many people aren’t even familiar with this process, yet it holds incredible potential. I also love that no day is the same. There are constantly new challenges, whether in production, equipment maintenance, or testing new solutions. It’s precisely this variety and the opportunity to keep learning that motivates me.
What defines you in your work?
I’m a team player and enjoy taking on responsibility. As a shift supervisor and team coordinator, I’m the first point of contact for my colleagues. It’s important to me that we work well together and have a good rapport. I also really enjoy working with our apprentices. Since I was once an apprentice myself, I can easily put myself in their shoes and try to impart not only technical knowledge but also motivation and self-confidence. I simply love being productive, so PVD is a good fit for me because there’s always something to do.
PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. In this process, a solid material is vaporized in a vacuum and applied as an extremely thin layer to the eyeglass components.
What led you to the Silhouette Group, and how have you been able to develop so far?
I started my apprenticeship as a surface technician in September 2017. After three and a half years, I completed it and then did my civil service with the emergency medical services. After that, I returned to the company, initially working in electroplating before moving to the PVD department. Today I’m a shift supervisor and have gotten to know various departments over time. The quality of our eyewear comes primarily from the interplay of different coatings and processes. Understanding beyond one’s own department is crucial—that’s how the best ideas emerge. Ultimately, we’re all working toward the same goal: to create the best eyewear in the world.