DE2337204A1 - Spectacle lens vapour deposition holder - comprises turntable with radial axis rotatable twin lens holders - Google Patents

Abstract

Optical lens vacuum deposition holding jig comprises a turntable to which twin lens holders are attached permitting the exposure to the vapour source in succession of two sets of lenses each holder being movable in the turntable to effect changeover. The holders are pref. attached to radial rotatable shafts with a gear each of which is made to engage a tooth rack when turning over of the lenses are required. The lens holder pref. comprises spring mounting for two lenses in juxtaposition between which a screen is provided. The unit permits enhanced productivity by allowing bigger batches to be loaded into the vacuum chamber.

Description

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Satis Vacuum AG., Zurich

(Switzerland)

Method and device for vapor deposition of at least one surface layer on optical carriers, in particular Glasses.

The present invention relates to a method for vapor deposition of at least one surface layer on optical ones Carrier, in particular glasses, in a vacuum, in which a predetermined number of such optical carriers with the surface to be coated, within one vacuum cycle

successively past at least one evaporation source.

For example, for the production of anti-glare glasses for glasses by vapor deposition of surface layers in the va-

409882/1018

kuum devices are known in which a carousel under a vacuum bell a number of glasses an evaporation line moves continuously past. Therefor if the turntable has a number of stations in its edge area, each of which is used to clamp a glass serve whose surface to be vaporized faces the vaporization source. After reaching the specified The vacuum cycle is then interrupted for the layer to be evaporated and exchanged the steamed glasses for new ones.

It has now been shown that the downtimes between the individual cycles can be compared to the respective vacuum cycle are unreasonably high, since the preparations for a vacuum cycle require a great deal of effort.

The task is thus to be able to vaporize more glasses within one vacuum cycle than before without doing this to enlarge the given dimensions of the existing facility

According to the present invention, this is achieved in that the optical carriers, after they have been coated, are inside of the same vacuum cycle out of the plane in which the carriers are guided past the evaporation source and then at least once an equal number

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further carriers are moved into this plane in order to also lead them one after the other past the evaporation source and to coat them within the same vacuum cycle th.

The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method, with a device under vacuum adjustable turntable, on the circumference of which a plurality of stations for the detachable fastening of optical carriers are arranged are, as well as with at least one evaporation source movable relative to the stations, which is characterized in that each station is equipped with a turning device is, on which there are holding means for the releasable attachment of at least two optical carriers, between which a shield extends.

In order to achieve automation of the running vacuum cycle in this case, this device can expediently be designed in such a way that a holder for at least one test glass is provided which interacts with at least one photocell for measuring the layer thickness vapor deposited on the optical carrier, v / above the photocell a signal transmitter for controlling the turning devices and to interrupt the vacuum cycle.

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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As can now be seen without further ado, by means of these measures, at least twice as many glasses or the like can now be produced within one vacuum cycle. coat than before.

An example embodiment of the subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

Show it:

1 shows a section of a turntable of a device for vapor deposition of a surface layer on spectacle lenses, in plan view and

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a side view on a larger scale, and FIG a top view of a turning device of the device according to FIG. 1.

1 shows a turntable 1 of a device known per se, not shown in detail here, for vapor deposition of a surface layer on spectacle lenses. It should be mentioned, however, that this turntable can usually be driven by a motor and thereby rotates continuously, the turntable then being located under a vacuum bell. Stations A, B, C, D, etc. are provided on the circumference of the turntable 1, which are evenly distributed around the circumference.

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interchangeable reception of glasses to be steamed. Due to the arrangement made are those to be steamed Surfaces of the glasses ^ a not shown evaporation source, in which plane the glasses at the evaporation source wander past, with the vapor condensing on the glass surfaces and forming a layer. Of course, im A plurality of evaporation sources can also be arranged in a distributed manner in the area of the circumference of the turntable. In any case, the individual glasses will exposed to the precipitation of steam until has formed the desired layer thickness.

Now, after coating a first number of glasses, this can be done without interrupting the vacuum cycle by a second number Each station A, B, C, D has one to be able to exchange glasses which are to be coated subsequently Turning device 2 is provided, which can be seen in more detail in FIGS.

The turning device 2 shown is intended here for the exchangeable reception of two glasses. A ring gear forms here 3, which extends vertically to the turntable plane, a mounting plate.

On the side facing the turntable 1, a swivel bracket 4, which has a bearing pin 5, is connected to the disk 3

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carries, which forms the central axis of the ^ turning device and around which the latter can be pivoted. Form an outer, angular ring 6 and an inner ring 7 on the turntable 1 here the counter bearings for the turning device on the turntable 1, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 1. The order is made so that the turning device from the position shown at station B over the intermediate position shown at station C can tip over into a position that is 180 ° relative to the former Position is shifted. In both positions the swing can * Bracket 4 form a stop by resting on the outer ring 6 of the turntable.

On the side facing away from the turntable 1, the disk 3 carries two clamping brackets 11 and 12, which extend "parallel to one another and parallel to the plane of the turntable, for clamping reception one spectacle lens 10, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 3. Stop means 13 allow a punctiform Clamping at three points on the edge of the glass, with one stop on the free one for clamping and unclamping the glass The end of a clamping arm 15 pretensioned by a spring 14 is attached to the relevant clamping bracket. Also extends A shielding plate 16 is located between the two parallel clamping brackets 11 and 12, the surface of which expediently extends over extends the surface of the clamped glasses.

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To start up the facility, all turning devices are first 2 each equipped with two glasses 10, with the steaming surface of each glass facing outwards is. All turning devices 2 are then brought into the same position, for example in that position as this one at the station B in Fig. 1 is shown. Then the vacuum is generated, the evaporation source is switched on and the turntable 1 rotates offset.

Through a test tube 17 on the turntable 1 (Fig. 1) The increasing thickness of the coating applied to the glasses can now be seen by means of a photocell, not shown in detail control and monitor.

If the first number of glasses has now received the required layer, a corresponding signal from the photocell can be used be to pivot all turning devices 2 by 180 ° in order to be able to steam the second group of glasses. The shield 16 prevents the stray steam surrounding the glasses to be steamed from falling on the glasses above being knocked down.

Circuit arrangements that are suitable for such reversing signals and a signal for switching off the device after the vaporization of all glasses from the photocell,

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are known and do not need to be explained in more detail.

There are also various options for the turning devices to be rotated by 180 ° in response to a control signal. For example, latch means can be put into action which attack the ring gear of the disk 3. In response to such a signal, it is also possible to create a gear rim section to switch to the orbit of the ring gear disks 3, on which the ring gear disks are over half their circumference roll off and turn the turning devices 2 by 180 °.

In order to have a test tube available for each run, the latter can be reversed on one with the turning devices Turret head attached. A diaphragm can also interact with a test glass, which allows turning it over the turning device experiences a shift in order to expose an as yet uncoated zone of the test glass.

Of course, it is also possible to design the turning devices so that they have more than two glasses, for example can wear three glasses, whereupon the latter after a first or second number of glasses has been coated be pivoted by 120 °.

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Depending on the type of vapor-deposition layer, the above-mentioned Photocell can also be provided with a reflection measuring device in order to measure the layer thickness.

Furthermore, the named stations can include sectors of the turntable, in which case the sectors are one Most of the glasses to be steamed can be carried, about 4 to 6 glasses. Such sectors are then appropriate with its outer edge on an axis on a ring.

The structural design of the turning devices described above allows this to be arranged retrospectively to existing facilities, which is the capacity of this Facilities increased by twice or more.

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Claims (1)

; M iiidit .je.'iiidcrt be ι Claims "" - 1. Process for vapor deposition of at least one surface layer on optical carriers, in particular glasses, in a vacuum, in which a predetermined number of such optical carriers with the surface to be coated, within a vacuum cycle one after the other to at least a source of evaporation, characterized in that the optical carriers after their coating within the same vacuum cycle from the plane in which the carrier is at the evaporation source are passed, out and then at least once an equal number of other carriers in this level moved in v / earth in order to also lead them one after the other past the evaporation source and within the same vacuum cycle to coat. 2. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, with a turntable which can be placed under vacuum, on its Perimeter a plurality of stations for the releasable attachment of optical carriers are arranged, as well as with at least a source of evaporation which can be moved relative to the stations, characterized in that each station has a turning device is equipped, on which HaI- 409882/1018 i !! "T: '2ö3'7 ^ B4 temittel are for the releasable attachment of at least two optical carriers, between which there is one Shield extends. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the two groups of optical carriers so mutually be shielded that the when vaporizing the optical Stray vapor produced by one group is deflected past the optical carriers of the other group. 4. device nabh claim 2, characterized in that a holder for at least one test glass is provided on the circumference of the turntable, which holder is equipped with at least one photocell cooperates to measure the layer thickness vapor-deposited on the optical carrier, the photocell forms a signal generator for controlling the turning devices and for interrupting the vacuum cycle. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that several test glasses are carried by a turret head, each with the reversal of the turning devices The revolver confection is switched over to insert a new test glass in the plane in which the to evaporating optical carrier are guided past the evaporation source. 409882/1018 6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the test glass cooperates with a diaphragm which is displaceable with the reversal of the turning devices in such a way that with the introduction of the respective optical carrier to be vaporized in the plane in which the carrier is at the evaporation source a covered zone of the test glass is released May 18, 1973 Pe / LJ f 409882/1018