EP0307731B1 - Method and apparatus for machining the supporting face of a contact lens - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for machining the supporting face of a contact lens Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0307731B1
EP0307731B1 EP88114314A EP88114314A EP0307731B1 EP 0307731 B1 EP0307731 B1 EP 0307731B1 EP 88114314 A EP88114314 A EP 88114314A EP 88114314 A EP88114314 A EP 88114314A EP 0307731 B1 EP0307731 B1 EP 0307731B1
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Prior art keywords
axis
rotation
blank
cutting tool
round
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EP88114314A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0307731A1 (en
Inventor
Markus Lüchinger
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FALCO LINSEN AG
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FALCO LINSEN AG
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24BMACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B13/00Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
    • B24B13/06Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor grinding of lenses, the tool or work being controlled by information-carrying means, e.g. patterns, punched tapes, magnetic tapes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24BMACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
    • B24B13/00Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
    • B24B13/04Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor grinding of lenses involving grinding wheels controlled by gearing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 2.
  • the curvature of the outer surface of the eye is practically never purely spherical, but rather resembles that of an ellipsoid. Accordingly, the contact surface of the contact lenses is to be designed accordingly.
  • a contact surface processed in this way can hardly be adapted to the outer surface of an eye with a pronounced curvature of the cornea (astigmatism).
  • US Pat. No. 4,068,413 discloses a method for processing spectacle lenses in order to produce both concave and convex surfaces.
  • the tool rotates in front of the clamped workpiece on a circle that is much larger than the diameter of the workpiece and around an axis of rotation that is essentially aligned with the axis of the workpiece, and the curved surface is created by the fact that the entire drive unit of the tool is moved back and forth in a controlled manner by a curve, the drive unit executing a movement composed of a movement in the direction of the axis of the workpiece and a movement transversely thereto, which is why the support for the drive unit required for precise work is a very complex guide device with three degrees of freedom , consisting of stacked slide guides for the movement in mutually perpendicular directions and an axis of rotation connected to a slide guide. This device is not only extremely complicated, but also unsuitable for processing the small contact lenses due to the way the tool is used.
  • the method has the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 and the device has the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 2.
  • the axis of rotation of the cutting tool and not the blank is pivoted here, which allows the entire concave contact surface to be machined in one operation.
  • the profile of the contact surface which lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool, is always in the shape of a circular arc (flight circle of the cutting edge), but the profile lying in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis is also arcuate, but can have a constantly changing radius of curvature.
  • a boom 16 extends from the base frame 11, in which a pivot pin 17 is anchored.
  • the axis of this pivot pin is designated Z and hereinafter the pivot axis called.
  • a bracket 18 is pivotally mounted, on which a drive block 19 is supported in a straight line in the direction of the double arrow 20.
  • the displaceability of the drive block 19 is radial to the pivot axis Z.
  • the drive block 19 has a carrier 21 to which a motor 22 is flanged, the driven disk 23 of which drives a tool holder 25 via a drive string 24.
  • the tool holder 25 which is only shown schematically here, is rotatably mounted at the end of a boom 26 extending from the drive block 19 about an axis of rotation X indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 1 like the axis Y and the pivot axis Z.
  • a cutting tool 27 is clamped in the tool holder, which projects radially from the axis of rotation X and whose free end is provided with a cutting edge made of a hard material, for example of diamond.
  • the direction of rotation of the cutting tool corresponds to that of the driven pulley 23 and is indicated by the arrow 28.
  • Anchored to the drive block 19 is a stiff arm 29 which is substantially parallel to the pivot axis Z and which penetrates a slot (not shown) in the bracket 18 which runs radially with respect to the pivot axis Z and which is provided with a rotatable roller 30 at its lower end.
  • edge of the control curve 32 is a circular arc concentric to the pivot axis Z, then the distance between the axis of rotation X and the pivot axis Z, which intersect at right angles, remains during the entire machining operation in which the bracket 18 is pivoted in the direction of the arrows 33, constant.
  • the contact surface is then at least an ellipsoid.
  • edge of the control curve 32 were a circular arc which is not only concentric to the pivot axis Z, but also has a radius such that the axis of rotation X intersects the pivot axis Z, then the cutting tool 27 would cut an exactly spherical recess into the blank 15.
  • the profile of the incised recess, the contact surface is geometrically similar to the edge of the control curve 32.
  • control curve can also consist of segments lined up, the edges of which have different radii of curvature.
  • edge of the control cam 32 scanned by the follower 30 should not have any discontinuities even in the case of a segmented structure.
  • the contact surface 34 has a smaller radius of curvature than in the section along the line IV-IV.
  • the size of the radius of curvature in sectional planes perpendicular to the pivot axis Z depends on the respective distance of the axis of rotation X from the pivot axis Z and this in turn on the shape of the control curve 32.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Grinding And Polishing Of Tertiary Curved Surfaces And Surfaces With Complex Shapes (AREA)

Abstract

A contact-lens blank (15) is held in such a way that it cannot rotate about its axis (Y). A cutting tool (27) driven so as to rotate about a rotational axis (X) is used for the machining. During the machining, the rotational axis (X) of the cutting tool (27) and the axis (Y) of the blank (15) are pivoted with regard to one another about a pivot axis (Z) at right angles to both the rotational axis (X) and the axis (Y). So that the entire supporting face of the blank (15) can be machined in one operation, the rotational axis (X) of the cutting tool (27) is pivoted in both directions from a position at right angles to the axis (Y) of the blank (15). <IMAGE>

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1, sowie eine Einrichtung nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 2.The present invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 2.

Beim Herstellen von Kontaktlinsen ist es bekanntlich die Rückfläche oder die Berührungsfläche die zuerst bearbeitet wird. Moderne Kontaktlinsen sind aus einem gasdurchlässigen Kunststoff, der sich spanabhebend bearbeiten lässt. Die Berührungsfläche wird aus einem Rohling spanabhebend herausgedreht. Dabei soll die konkave Berührungsfläche bestmöglich der mit einem Ophtalmometer gemessenen Wölbung der Aussenfläche des Auges angepasst werden, so dass diese und die Berührungsfläche der Kontaktlinse möglichst parallel zueinander verlaufen und den Film der Tränenflüssigkeit nicht beeinträchtigen.When manufacturing contact lenses, it is known that the back surface or the contact surface is processed first. Modern contact lenses are made of a gas-permeable plastic that can be machined. The contact surface is machined out of a blank. The concave contact surface should be adapted as best as possible to the curvature of the outer surface of the eye measured with an ophthalmometer so that it and the contact surface of the contact lens run as parallel as possible to one another and do not impair the film of the tear fluid.

Die Wölbung der Aussenfläche des Auges ist aber praktisch nie rein sphärisch, sondern gleicht eher jener eines Ellipsoides. Dementsprechend ist auch die Berührungsfläche der Kontaktlinsen danach auszubilden.The curvature of the outer surface of the eye is practically never purely spherical, but rather resembles that of an ellipsoid. Accordingly, the contact surface of the contact lenses is to be designed accordingly.

Um dies zu erreichen ist es bekannt, zuerst durch einen ersten Bearbeitungsvorgang eine rein sphärische Berührungsfläche einzuarbeiten und danach den Kontaktlinsen-Rohling an diametral gegenüberliegenden Stellen unter Druck zu setzen, so dass er sich etwas elastisch deformiert. Dann wird der Rohling in gegenüber der ersten Bearbeitungsoperation um 90° verdrehter Stellung unter Beibehaltung des Druckes nochmals mit demselben Krümmungsradius nachbearbeitet. Wenn nun die Druckbeanspruchung gelöst wird, bildet sich die elastische Deformation zurück und die Berührungsfläche hat die Form etwa eines Rotationsellipsoides.In order to achieve this, it is known to first incorporate a purely spherical contact surface by means of a first machining process and then to pressurize the contact lens blank at diametrically opposite points so that it deforms somewhat elastically. Then the blank is opposite to the first machining operation reworked by 90 ° while maintaining the pressure, reworked with the same radius of curvature. If the pressure is released, the elastic deformation regresses and the contact surface has the shape of an ellipsoid of revolution.

Abgesehen davon, dass eine solche Bearbeitung mehrerer Operationen bedarf, kann eine auf diese Weise bearbeitete Berührungsfläche kaum der Aussenfläche eines eine ausgeprägte Hornhautverkrümmung (Astigmatismus) aufweisenden Auges angepasst werden.Apart from the fact that such a processing requires several operations, a contact surface processed in this way can hardly be adapted to the outer surface of an eye with a pronounced curvature of the cornea (astigmatism).

Bekannt ist auch ein Verfahren gemäss dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1, bei dem während der Bearbeitung die Halterung des Rohlings um die Schwenkachse verschwenkt wird. Dabei kann aber zunächst nur eine Hälfte der Berührungsfläche bearbeitet werden. Dann wird der Rohling zusammen mit seiner Halterung um 180° verdreht und die andere Hälfte der Berührungsfläche wird bearbeitet. Bei diesem Verfahren sind somit ebenfalls zwei Arbeitungsoperationen erforderlich und im Ergebnis weist die in den zwei Operationen bearbeitete Berührungsfläche dort, wo die Flächenhälften aneinandergrenzen, eine Art Nahtstelle oder gar einen Grat auf, was dann durch mühsame Handarbeit zu beheben ist.Also known is a method according to the preamble of claim 1, in which the holder of the blank is pivoted about the pivot axis during processing. However, only half of the contact area can be machined. Then the blank is rotated together with its holder by 180 ° and the other half of the contact surface is machined. With this method, therefore, two work operations are also required and, as a result, the contact surface processed in the two operations has a kind of seam or even a burr where the surface halves adjoin one another, which can then be eliminated by laborious manual work.

Schliesslich ist aus der DE-OS 22 58 152 ein Verfahren zur Erzeugung torischer Flächen bekannt, bei der der Grundkreisradius durch den Radius der Rotationsbewegung des Werkzeuges bestimmt wird, während der Zylinderradius durch eine zur Kreisbewegung des Werkzeuges senkrechte Kreisbewegung des Linsenrohlings um einen ortsfesten Drehpunkt erzeugt wird. Bei den nach diesem Verfahren hergestellten torischen Flächen sind die Schnittlinien, die in den Ebenen, in denen der Grundkreis bzw. der Zylinderkreis liegen, stets Kreisbogen, so dass solche torischen Flächen nicht optimal an jede Augenwölbung angepasst werden können.Finally, from DE-OS 22 58 152 a method for generating toric surfaces is known in which the base circle radius is determined by the radius of the rotational movement of the tool, while the cylinder radius is determined by a circular movement perpendicular to the circular movement of the tool of the lens blank is generated around a fixed pivot point. In the case of the toric surfaces produced according to this method, the cutting lines which are in the planes in which the base circle or the cylinder circle lie are always circular arcs, so that such toric surfaces cannot be optimally adapted to every arch of the eye.

Ferner ist aus der US-4,068,413 ein Verfahren zu Bearbeitung von Brillengläsern bekannt, um sowohl konkave wie konvexe Oberflächen herzustellen. Dabei rotiert das Werkzeug vor dem eingespannten Werkstück auf einem Kreis, der wesentlich grösser ist als der Durchmesser des Werkstücks und um eine Drehachse, die mit der Achse des Werkstücks im wesentlichen gleichgerichtet ist und die gewölbte Fläche kommt dadurch zustande, dass die gesamte Antriebseinheit des Werkzeugs durch eine Kurve gesteuert hin und her bewegt wird, wobei die Antriebseinheit eine aus einer Bewegung in Richtung der Achse des Werkstücks und einer Bewegung quer dazu zusammengesetzte Bewegung ausführt, weshalb die für ein genaues Arbeiten erforderliche Unterstützung für die Antriebseinheit eine sehr aufwendige Führungseinrichtung mit drei Freiheitsgraden, bestehend aus etagenweise übereinander angeordneten Schlittenführungen für die Bewegung in zueinander senkrechten Richtungen und einer mit einer Schlittenführung verbundenen Drehachse, sein muss. Diese Einrichtung ist nicht nur äusserst kompliziert, sondern auch aufgrund der zur Anwendunug kommenden Arbeitsweise des Werkzeugs für die Bearbeitung der kleinen Kontaktlinsen ungeeignet.Furthermore, US Pat. No. 4,068,413 discloses a method for processing spectacle lenses in order to produce both concave and convex surfaces. The tool rotates in front of the clamped workpiece on a circle that is much larger than the diameter of the workpiece and around an axis of rotation that is essentially aligned with the axis of the workpiece, and the curved surface is created by the fact that the entire drive unit of the tool is moved back and forth in a controlled manner by a curve, the drive unit executing a movement composed of a movement in the direction of the axis of the workpiece and a movement transversely thereto, which is why the support for the drive unit required for precise work is a very complex guide device with three degrees of freedom , consisting of stacked slide guides for the movement in mutually perpendicular directions and an axis of rotation connected to a slide guide. This device is not only extremely complicated, but also unsuitable for processing the small contact lenses due to the way the tool is used.

Es ist daher ein Zweck der Erfindung, ein Verfahren und eine Einrichtung zu schaffen, die gestatten, nicht nur die Berührungsfläche in einem Kontaktlinsen-Rohling in einem Arbeitsgang vollständig zu bearbeiten, sondern diese Berührungsfläche auch optimal der zuvor gemessenen Wölbung der Aussenfläche des Auges anzupassen.It is therefore a purpose of the invention to provide a method and a device which not only allow the contact surface in a contact lens blank to be completely machined in one operation, but also to optimally adapt this contact surface to the previously measured curvature of the outer surface of the eye.

Zu diesem Zweck weist das Verfahren die im Kennzeichen des Patentanspruches 1 und die Einrichtung die im Kennzeichen des Patentanspruches 2 angegebenen Merkmale auf.For this purpose, the method has the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 and the device has the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 2.

Im Gegensatz zum bekannten Verfahren wird hier die Drehachse des Schneidwerkzeuges und nicht der Rohling verschwenkt, was gestattet, die gesamte konkave Berührungsfläche in einem Arbeitsgang zu bearbeiten.In contrast to the known method, the axis of rotation of the cutting tool and not the blank is pivoted here, which allows the entire concave contact surface to be machined in one operation.

Wenn gemäss dem Anspruch 1 gearbeitet wird, dann wird das Profil der Berührungsfläche, das in einer zur Drehachse des Schneidwerkzeuges rechtwinkligen Ebene liegt, zwar stets kreisbogenförmig (Flugkreis der Schneide), aber das in einer zur Schwenkachse rechtwinkligen Ebene liegende Profil ist ebenfalls bogenförmig, aber kann einen stetig sich verändernden Krümmungsradius haben.When working according to claim 1, the profile of the contact surface, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cutting tool, is always in the shape of a circular arc (flight circle of the cutting edge), but the profile lying in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis is also arcuate, but can have a constantly changing radius of curvature.

Merkmale bevorzugter Ausführungsformen der Erfindung sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen definiert.Features of preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Nachstehend ist anhand der Zeichnung ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung beschrieben. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
in vereinfachter perspektivischer Ansicht eine Einrichtung;
Fig. 2
eine Draufsicht auf einen auf der Einrichtung gemäss Fig. 1 bearbeiteten Kontaktlinsen-Rohling;
Fig. 3
einen Schnitt längs der Geraden III-III der Fig. 2; und
Fig. 4
einen Schnitt längs der Linie IV-IV der Fig. 2.
An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. It shows:
Fig. 1
a device in a simplified perspective view;
Fig. 2
a plan view of a blank machined on the device of FIG. 1;
Fig. 3
a section along the line III-III of Fig. 2; and
Fig. 4
a section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2nd

Die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Einrichtung 10 besitzt einen als Quader dargestellten Grundrahmen 11, auf dem eine Art Spindelstock 12 im Sinne des Doppelpfeiles 13 geradlinig geführt verschiebbar ist. Der Spindelstock 12 ist mit einer Spindel 14 versehen, die während der Bearbeitung arretiert ist. Am vorderen, abgesetzten Ende der Spindel 14 ist ein Kontaktlinsen-Rohling 15 koaxial zu der mit Y bezeichneten Achse der Spindel 14 fixiert. Normalerweise wird der Rohling 15 auf die Stirnseite eines in die Spindel 14 einzuschraubenden Trägerstückes (nicht dargestellt) aufgekittet oder aufgeklebt.The device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a base frame 11, shown as a cuboid, on which a kind of headstock 12 can be moved in a straight line in the direction of the double arrow 13. The headstock 12 is provided with a spindle 14 which is locked during processing. At the front, stepped end of the spindle 14, a contact lens blank 15 is fixed coaxially to the axis of the spindle 14 denoted by Y. Normally, the blank 15 is cemented or glued onto the end face of a carrier piece (not shown) to be screwed into the spindle 14.

Vom Grundrahmen 11 geht ein Ausleger 16 aus, in dem ein Schwenkzapfen 17 verankert ist. Die Achse dieses Schwenkzapfens ist mit Z bezeichnet und nachstehend Schwenkachse genannt. Auf dem Schwenkzapfen 17 ist eine Konsole 18 schwenkbar gelagert, auf der ein Antriebsblock 19 geradlinig geführt im Sinne des Doppelpfeiles 20 verschiebbar abgestützt ist. Die Verschiebbarkeit des Antriebsblockes 19 ist radial zur Schwenkachse Z.A boom 16 extends from the base frame 11, in which a pivot pin 17 is anchored. The axis of this pivot pin is designated Z and hereinafter the pivot axis called. On the pivot pin 17, a bracket 18 is pivotally mounted, on which a drive block 19 is supported in a straight line in the direction of the double arrow 20. The displaceability of the drive block 19 is radial to the pivot axis Z.

Der Antriebsblock 19 besitzt einen Träger 21, an dem ein Motor 22 angeflanscht ist, dessen Abtriebsscheibe 23 über eine Antriebssaite 24 einen Werkzeughalter 25 antreibt.The drive block 19 has a carrier 21 to which a motor 22 is flanged, the driven disk 23 of which drives a tool holder 25 via a drive string 24.

Der hier nur schematisch gezeigte Werkzeughalter 25 ist am Ende eines vom Antriebsblock 19 ausgehenden Auslegers 26 um eine in Fig. 1 wie die Achse Y und die Schwenkachse Z strichpunktiert angedeutete Drehachse X drehbar gelagert. Im Werkzeughalter ist ein Schneidwerkzeug 27 festgespannt, das radial von der Drehachse X absteht und dessen freies Ende mit einer Schneide aus einem Hartstoff, beispielsweise aus Diamant versehen ist. Die Drehrichtung des Schneidwerkzeuges entspricht jener der Abtriebsscheibe 23 und ist mit dem Pfeil 28 angedeutet.The tool holder 25, which is only shown schematically here, is rotatably mounted at the end of a boom 26 extending from the drive block 19 about an axis of rotation X indicated by dash-dotted lines in FIG. 1 like the axis Y and the pivot axis Z. A cutting tool 27 is clamped in the tool holder, which projects radially from the axis of rotation X and whose free end is provided with a cutting edge made of a hard material, for example of diamond. The direction of rotation of the cutting tool corresponds to that of the driven pulley 23 and is indicated by the arrow 28.

Am Antriebsblock 19 ist ein zur Schwenkachse Z im wesentlichen paralleler, steifer Ausleger 29 verankert, der einen bezüglich der Schwenkachse Z radial verlaufenden Schlitz (nicht dargestellt) in der Konsole 18 durchsetzt, und der an seinem unteren Ende mit einer drehbaren Rolle 30 versehen ist. Eine zwischen dem Ausleger 16 und dem Ausleger 29 gespannte, nur schematisch angegebene Zugfeder 31 ist bestrebt, die Rolle 30 stets in Kontakt mit dem Rand einer Steuerkurve 32 zu halten.Anchored to the drive block 19 is a stiff arm 29 which is substantially parallel to the pivot axis Z and which penetrates a slot (not shown) in the bracket 18 which runs radially with respect to the pivot axis Z and which is provided with a rotatable roller 30 at its lower end. A tension spring 31, which is tensioned between the boom 16 and the boom 29 and is only indicated schematically, always endeavors to keep the roller 30 in contact with the edge of a control cam 32.

Wenn der Rand der Steuerkurve 32 ein zur Schwenkachse Z konzentrischer Kreisbogen ist, dann bleibt der Abstand zwischen der Drehachse X und der Schwenkachse Z, die sich rechtwinklig kreuzen, während der gesamten Bearbeitung, bei der die Konsole 18 im Sinne der Pfeile 33 verschwenkt wird, konstant. Die Berührungsfläche ist dann zumindest ein Ellipsoid.If the edge of the control curve 32 is a circular arc concentric to the pivot axis Z, then the distance between the axis of rotation X and the pivot axis Z, which intersect at right angles, remains during the entire machining operation in which the bracket 18 is pivoted in the direction of the arrows 33, constant. The contact surface is then at least an ellipsoid.

Wäre der Rand der Steuerkurve 32 ein Kreisbogen der nicht nur konzentrisch zur Schwenkachse Z ist, sondern auch einen solchen Radius aufweist, dass die Drehachse X die Schwenkachse Z schneidet, dann würde durch das Schneidwerkzeug 27 eine exakt sphärische Vertiefung in den Rohling 15 geschnitten.If the edge of the control curve 32 were a circular arc which is not only concentric to the pivot axis Z, but also has a radius such that the axis of rotation X intersects the pivot axis Z, then the cutting tool 27 would cut an exactly spherical recess into the blank 15.

Allgemein kann jedoch gesagt werden, dass das Profil der durch das Schneidwerkzeug 27 in den Rohling 15 eingeschnittenen Vertiefung, d.h. der Berührungsfläche, in Schnittebenen, die rechtwinklig zur Drehachse X des Schneidwerkzeuges sind, stets die Form eines Kreisbogens hat (Flugkreis der Schneide). In Schnittebenen dagegen, die rechtwinklig zur Schwenkachse Z stehen, ist das Profil der eingeschnittenen Vertiefung, der Berührungsfläche, geometrisch ähnlich zum Rand der Steuerkurve 32.In general, however, it can be said that the profile of the recess cut into the blank 15 by the cutting tool 27, i.e. the contact surface, in cutting planes that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation X of the cutting tool, always has the shape of an arc (flight circle of the cutting edge). In contrast, in sectional planes that are perpendicular to the swivel axis Z, the profile of the incised recess, the contact surface, is geometrically similar to the edge of the control curve 32.

Damit ist es möglich, der konkaven Berührungsfläche in zur Schwenkachse Z rechtwinkligen Schnittebenen ein optimal an die ermittelte Wölbung des Auges angepasstes Profil zu geben.This makes it possible to give the concave contact surface in sectional planes perpendicular to the pivot axis Z a profile that is optimally adapted to the determined curvature of the eye.

Wie gestrichelt in Fig. 1 angegeben, kann die Steuerkurve auch aus aneinandergereihten Segmenten bestehen, deren Ränder unterschiedliche Krümmungsradien haben. Allerdings soll der vom Folgeglied 30 abgetastete Rand der Steuerkurve 32 auch bei segmentiertem Aufbau keine Unstetigkeiten aufweisen.As indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1, the control curve can also consist of segments lined up, the edges of which have different radii of curvature. However, the edge of the control cam 32 scanned by the follower 30 should not have any discontinuities even in the case of a segmented structure.

Den Fig. 2 - 4 kann entnommen werden, dass im Schnitt längs der Linie III-III die Berührungsfläche 34 einen geringeren Krümmungsradius aufweist, als im Schnitt längs der Linie IV-IV. Die Grösse des Krümmungsradius in zur Schwenkachse Z rechtwinkligen Schnittebenen ist vom jeweiligen Abstand der Drehachse X von der Schwenkachse Z abhängig und dieser wiederum von der Form der Steuerkurve 32.2-4, it can be seen that in the section along the line III-III the contact surface 34 has a smaller radius of curvature than in the section along the line IV-IV. The size of the radius of curvature in sectional planes perpendicular to the pivot axis Z depends on the respective distance of the axis of rotation X from the pivot axis Z and this in turn on the shape of the control curve 32.

Claims (5)

  1. Method for the chip detaching machining of the contact surface (34) of contact lenses, wherein a contact lens blank (15) is held secured against rotation round its axis (Y) and is fed to a cutting tool (27) driven in rotation round an axis of rotation (X) crossing the axis (Y) of the blank for machining in relation to said tool, wherein during the machining of the blank the position of the two said axes (Y, X) relative to each other is altered by a swivelling movement round a swivel axis (Z) disposed at right angles both to the axis (Y) of the blank (15) and to the axis of rotation (X) of the cutting tool (27), characterized in that the cutting tool (27) is swivelled round the swivel axis (Z) fixed to the housing in an oscillating motion and that in this process, the perpendicular distance of the axis of rotation (X) of the cutting tool (27) from the swivel axis (Z) is altered, for example, by means of a cam control mechanism (32, 32).
  2. Apparatus for the operation of the method according to patent claim 1, with a holding device (14) intended for the coaxial fixing of a contact lens blank (15), with a tool holder (25) drivable in rotation round the axis of rotation (X) crossing the axis of the blank, which tool holder is provided with at least one cutting tool (27), wherein means (18) are provided so as to alter during the machining of the blank, the position of the said axes (Y, X) relative to each other by a swivelling movement round the swivel axis (Z) disposed at right angles both to the axis (Y) of the blank (15) and the axis of rotation (X) of the cutting tool (27), and wherein the axis of rotation (X) of the cutting tool (27) is supported on a block (19), characterized in that the block (19) is mounted for swivelling round a swivel axis (Z) fixed in relation to the housing, and supported with scope for displacement in the radial direction relative to the swivel axis (Z) on a bracket (18) by means of a controlled steering mechanism (29-32) obtaining the change in the distance between the swivel axis (Z) and the axis of rotation (X) of the cutting tool.
  3. Apparatus according to patent claim 2, wherein the holding device (14) is mounted on a fixed base frame (11) for displacement parallel to its axis (Y), characterized in that the swivel axis (Z) of the bracket (18) is anchored on an extension arm (16) projecting from the base frame (11).
  4. Apparatus according to patent claim 3, characterized in that the block (19) is provided with a follower (29, 30) cooperating with a control cam plate (32) arranged in a fixed position but being interchangeable.
  5. Apparatus according to patent claim 4, characterized in that the block (19) or the follower (29, 30) is subjected to a spring loading which keeps the follower (29, 30) in contact with the cam plate (32).
EP88114314A 1987-09-07 1988-09-02 Method and apparatus for machining the supporting face of a contact lens Expired - Lifetime EP0307731B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88114314T ATE82714T1 (en) 1987-09-07 1988-09-02 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MACHINING THE CONTACT SURFACE OF A CONTACT LENS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH343687 1987-09-07
CH3436/87 1987-09-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0307731A1 EP0307731A1 (en) 1989-03-22
EP0307731B1 true EP0307731B1 (en) 1992-11-25

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88114314A Expired - Lifetime EP0307731B1 (en) 1987-09-07 1988-09-02 Method and apparatus for machining the supporting face of a contact lens

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EP (1) EP0307731B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE82714T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3876189D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4243658C2 (en) * 1992-12-23 1995-01-26 Jenalens Kontaktlinsen Tech Method and arrangement for machining a toric aspherical concave surface on a contact lens blank

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3670460A (en) * 1970-06-01 1972-06-20 Senoptics Inc Tool positioning means for lens grinder
DE2258152A1 (en) * 1972-11-28 1974-06-20 Wilhelm H Spira METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING TORICAL AREAS
US4068413A (en) * 1975-10-02 1978-01-17 Suddarth Jack M Adjustable lens grinding apparatus

Also Published As

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EP0307731A1 (en) 1989-03-22
DE3876189D1 (en) 1993-01-07
ATE82714T1 (en) 1992-12-15

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