EP1583637A1 - A method and apparatus for holding or mounting an object - Google Patents
A method and apparatus for holding or mounting an objectInfo
- Publication number
- EP1583637A1 EP1583637A1 EP03790228A EP03790228A EP1583637A1 EP 1583637 A1 EP1583637 A1 EP 1583637A1 EP 03790228 A EP03790228 A EP 03790228A EP 03790228 A EP03790228 A EP 03790228A EP 1583637 A1 EP1583637 A1 EP 1583637A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- change
- controllable
- mass
- holding
- volumetrically
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B13/00—Machines or devices designed for grinding or polishing optical surfaces on lenses or surfaces of similar shape on other work; Accessories therefor
- B24B13/005—Blocking means, chucks or the like; Alignment devices
- B24B13/0052—Lens block moulding devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24B—MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING; DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS
- B24B41/00—Component parts such as frames, beds, carriages, headstocks
- B24B41/06—Work supports, e.g. adjustable steadies
- B24B41/061—Work supports, e.g. adjustable steadies axially supporting turning workpieces, e.g. magnetically, pneumatically
Definitions
- Holding devices or apparatus
- mounting apparatuses range from very simple to very complex but fundamentally have the same goals.
- One of those goals is to maintain an object in a position or a set of positions for reasons such as retention and to facilitate an operation being applied to the object.
- a holding device that includes a volumetrically controllable material and a volume controller in operable communication with that material.
- the volume controller is configured to subject the material to a condition that causes a physical change in volume of the material without a change in mass of the material.
- the volumetric change causes the holding power.
- a holding device that includes a density controllable material and a density controller in operable communication with that material.
- the density controller is configured to subject the material to a condition that causes a physical change in density of the material without a change in mass of the material. The change in density causes the holding power.
- a method for creating a lower than atmospheric pressure between a volumetrically controllable fixed mass material and a separate object includes introducing to the material an increase condition calculated to volumetrically increase the material without changing the mass of the material.
- the separate object is then brought to contact the material following which a decrease condition calculated to volumetrically decrease the material without changing the mass of the material is introduced to the material.
- a method for creating a lower than atmospheric pressure between a density-controllable fixed mass material and a separate object includes introducing to the material a decrease condition calculated to decrease the density of the material without changing the mass of the material.
- a method for holding an object which includes introducing to a volumetrically controllable material, a condition calculated to volumetrically change the material without changing the mass of the material, contacting the object with the material and introducing to the volumetrically controllable material another condition calculated to volumetrically change the material without changing the mass of the material.
- the holding is caused by the volumetric change.
- a mounting device which includes an end effector, including a material having at least a more pliable state and a less pliable state and wherein the states are reversible and repeatable.
- a pliability controller is configured to introduce to the material a condition calculated to change a state of the material between more pliable and less pliable.
- a method for mounting an object which includes causing an end effector material to become more pliable and contacting the object with the material. The material is then transitioned to a less pliable condition.
- a mounting apparatus which includes a volume of material.
- a material controller is in operable communication with the material, the controller being configured to introduce a condition calculated to reversibly and repeatably change the volume of material between a less pliable state and a more pliable state.
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of apparatus disclosed
- Figure 2A is a top perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment
- Figure 2B is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 2 A;
- Figure 3 A is a third top perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment
- Figure 3B is a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 3 A;
- Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of multiple holding devices used for one object
- Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a holding device with a sensor to determine holding power
- Figure 6 is a schematic view of a mounting device.
- the methods and apparatuses (“devices" used interchangeably) described herein are well suited to hold a plethora of different objects.
- the hold and release functions are rapidly initiated, easily and readily reversible, easily and readily repeatable, and of low impact to an object being held or mounted.
- the term held implies that a load acting to remove an object from the holding device in the axial lateral or rotational direction will be resisted.
- the term mounted implies torsional and lateral resistance to movement as a result of some applied normal force, and no specific resistance to a load acting to separate the object from the mounting device in an axial direction; mounting does not necessarily indicate the lack of resistance to that axial load.
- All of the embodiments herein rely upon a property of the formable material employed.
- the property of the material is that it can be rendered more pliable such that it can readily assume the shape of an object pressed against it. The material can then be rendered less pliable in that shape relatively easily.
- the material further exhibits reversibility and repeatability.
- Some of the embodiments herein further rely upon another property of the formable material, that property being controllable volumetric change without accompanying change in mass or a controllable change in density without accompanying change in mass. Such change if appropriately applied, as taught herein, is employable to cause a "holding" of an object to the formable material or a device including the formable material.
- the holding may be by means of a lower than atmospheric pressure created at an interface of the holding device and the object.
- the lower than atmospheric pressure is caused by the change in volume and/or density as noted. It will be appreciated that such can be augmented by evacuation in some applications if required without departing from the scope of the invention providing at least initial or additional holding is created by the change in the formable material.
- the same property involving change in volume or density that can be capitalized upon to create a lower than ambient pressure if used in one way, can be employed in reverse to create a reversible interference fit to hold an object as well. More specifically, if the material is sized appropriately to fit in a recess when the density is greater or the volume is smaller and then a condition is introduced to increase volume or decrease density, the material will create an interference engagement in the recess.
- volumetric and/or density change without accompanying mass change materials include: polymeric, monomeric, wax, magnetorheological, electrorheological, thermoactivated, metal alloy or other material, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing materials.
- One exemplary material is freebond tm (a wax compound) which is commercially available from Gerber Coburn Optical Inc., South Windsor, Connecticut.
- Further materials include: electrorheostatic materials, magnetorheostatic materials, and piezoelectric materials or a combination including at least one of the foregoing materials.
- Conditions to cause the change desired include an increase condition and a decrease condition which comprise application of an electric potential, a magnetic field, a temperature change, a pressure change and other conditions that when paired with a particular material will cause a change between a more pliable state and a less pliable state as well as a volumetric change or density change, without change in mass.
- Increase condition and a decrease condition are employed as condition names to distinguish between conditions when both are employed.
- Increase condition is used for increasing volume or increasing density
- “decrease” condition is used for decreasing volume or decreasing density. This is for simplicity in reading claims; as one skilled in the art will understand, a decrease in density may accompany an mcrease in volume and vice versa.
- the controller may be a conduit for a temperature-adjustable fluid; an electrical conductor; a generator of a magnetic field; a pressure generator, etc.
- a cover that is flexible and elastically stretchable during at least the more pliable condition of the material and during transition between more pliable and less pliable, may be placed over the material.
- a cover may be a plastic material such as thermoset materials, thermoplastic materials and elastomeric materials (e.g. vinyl). In the event the material utilized is self-confining, a cover is not needed.
- FIG. 1 To enhance understanding of the method and apparatus disclosed herein, reference is made to Figure 1 wherein the schematically represented device is identified by numeral 10, the formable material is identified as numeral 10 and the object is identified as numeral 30.
- the volume of the material will increase.
- the density will decrease. This is important for reasons that will become apparent hereunder.
- the material 20 While in the more pliable state, the material 20 is brought into contact with an object 30 to be held.
- the formable material 20 deforms to mimic the surface 32 features of the object 30.
- the material 20 is thus in a surface matched condition which promotes a sealing relationship with a surface of the object 30 because it is in direct contact therewith in substantially all locations.
- material 20 When a condition is introduced to material 20 to cause material 20 to become less pliable, material 20 reduces in volume but not in mass creating the lower than ambient pressure discussed above, between material 20 and object 30.
- the change in volume is responsible for a dimensional change that creates the pressure drop.
- the material shrinks away from the object while still contacting the object at the periphery of the material. Because the volume of the space between the material and the object gets larger but no fluid can move into that space the pressure in the space must necessarily drop.
- the lower than atmospheric pressure effectively holds object 30.
- one embodiment will include a configuration of material 20 and support 40 that makes a central portion of material 20 effectively thicker than at a perimeter edge 22 of material 20.
- the center of the concavity is deeper than the periphery as is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. This is helpful for the purpose stated because the volumetric change is proportional to the volume of the material utilized. Therefore, where the volume (thickness) of material is increased toward a center area, the volumetric reduction is increased toward that center area.
- this embodiment also enhances contact pressure at the periphery of the material 20 to the object since the peripheral area does not dimensionally change as much as does the central area, causing increased contact pressure at the periphery. Such condition may help preserve the pressure differential for a longer period of time.
- FIG. 2A and 2B another embodiment of the holding apparatus is disclosed.
- This particular embodiment exemplary in nature, is built upon a base 50.
- Base 50 includes several features configured to enhance the operation of the apparatus (or device).
- An accumulator cavity 52 is located in a position to allow the material 20 to be urged thereinto. This makes the device easier to work with as the material does not need to move outwardly to accommodate a surface but can move into the base.
- a benefit of this approach is that it accommodates many differently shaped objects by allowing more or less material to be displaced to the cavity depending upon the shape of the object urged against the material.
- Material 20 is physically separated from the cavity by a resilient membrane 54.
- Membrane 54 deflects into cavity 52 when material 20 is urged into contact with an object to be held. Resilient membrane 54 also moves material back out of base 50 when it is not urged thereinto by an object. This tends to reset the holding device when next rendered more pliable.
- Membrane 54 is retained in position by retainer 56, pressed into recess
- retention ring 60 which is attached to base 50 by fasteners 62.
- retention ring 60 also includes a recess 64 at a circumferential periphery thereof. This recess is configured to accept a cover 66 and a spline 68 which may be an o-ring. Once spline 68 is installed, cover 66 is reliably retained and will hold material 20 in location. This is beneficial if material 20 happens to be one that in the more pliable state will run.
- material 20 is a bifurcated material.
- Portion 20a is wax based while portion 20b is an alloy.
- alloy heats quickly and helps transfer heat to the wax to render it more pliable more quickly.
- the wax portion and the alloy portion do not mix due to the vastly different specific gravities of the compounds. Even if the materials do become discontinuous due to mechanical interferences related to use, they will easily and rapidly separate.
- the alloy portion 20b always settles below the wax portion 20a. It is important to note that wax and alloy is but one example of the apparatus described herein with this property. Other combinations of materials can also be used with the same result. Other results may also be desirable in some situations, keeping in mind the ultimate purpose of the device as stated hereinabove.
- a base 150 is illustrated with an accumulator cavity 152.
- a membrane 154, retainer 156 and cover 166 are also provided and are similar to the prior embodiment. It will be appreciated that although the components are not identical to the foregoing embodiment they are identifiable therewith and will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Distinct form the prior embodiments, is channel block 180 which is received in base 150 and provides flow channels 182 for material 20. Material 20 is disposed between cover 166 and channel block 180 as well as being within flow channels 182 and in reservoir 184.
- a controller 200 (or more controllers) will be provided.
- the controller is in operable communication with material 20 and adapted to introduce a condition to material 20 to transition that material between (in both directions) a less pliable state and a more pliable state.
- the condition required will depend upon the composition of the material 20.
- a small object e.g., an ophthalmic lens, a watch case, etc.
- a large object e.g., a large pane of glass, stone slab, etc.
- the devices need not be in a single plane, rather they may be disposed on individual actuators and may hold objects of non-planar configurations as shown for example in Figure 4.
- a sensor illustrated schematically in Figure 5 may be operatively associated with the device 10 to sense the holding power of the device. This may be by sensing differential pressure out the interface of the device and object.
- the method for holding an object comprises introducing to a material a condition calculated to render the material more pliable; urging an object against the material to deform the same; and introducing a condition calculated to render the material less pliable. When the immediate holding job is complete the process is repeatable.
- mounting operations that require no holding characteristics (as defined in this specification) but benefit from a matched surface structure between the mounting material and the object mounted.
- the concept disclosed hereinabove is useful for such mounting operations. This is particularly true in those cases where the mounting device contacts the object from two opposing surfaces and some amount of normal force is applied.
- volumetric change or change in density is not important.
- the only required attributes of the material are that it can be made more pliable and less pliable rapidly, reversibly, repeatably and easily, and that the mounting device provides resistance to torque and lateral forces applied to the mounted object.
- One exemplary material is freebond ""(a wax compound), which is commercially available from Gerber Coburn Optical Inc., South Windsor, Connecticut.
- Further materials include electrorheostatic materials, magnetorheostatic materials, and piezoelectric materials or a combination including at least one of the foregoing materials. The purpose for such property is of course to allow the material to assume the shape of the object surface and then be made less pliable in that shape.
- the device is illustrated as 210 because it is very similar to the holding device described above but distinct in that it employs a material 220 that is transitionable between a more pliable state and a less pliable state but that does not necessarily change volume or density. Any material having appropriate properties may be employed including electrorheological materials, magnetorheological materials, thermoactivated materials, etc. which do not necessarily create holding power. It is also notable that some mounting devices use relatively small end effectors (in lateral dimension, e.g. diameter). Therefore, even where some of the materials discussed above as creating holding are used, significant holding would not be generated in the smaller mounting devices, hi larger mounting devices, holding power' might well be generated but as noted is not the object in the mounting device. The closely matched surface feature of the object 230 and the material 220 provides the desired mounting capability. In one embodiment, such device is useful for finishing lenses such as ophthalmic lenses.
- a second end effector 240 is employed to retain the object in position.
- the second end effector may be of any material.
- effector 240 is also constructed as is device 210 and functions similarly.
- controllers may also be employed if desired.
- two of the holding devices can be positioned against each other to create a torque limited coupling while providing an easy and quick reset operation.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
- Constituent Portions Of Griding Lathes, Driving, Sensing And Control (AREA)
- Grinding And Polishing Of Tertiary Curved Surfaces And Surfaces With Complex Shapes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/310,117 US6863602B2 (en) | 2002-12-04 | 2002-12-04 | Method and apparatus for blocking and deblocking a lens |
US310117 | 2002-12-04 | ||
US412480 | 2003-04-11 | ||
US10/412,480 US6964599B2 (en) | 2002-12-04 | 2003-04-11 | Method and apparatus for holding or mounting an object |
PCT/US2003/038255 WO2004050302A1 (en) | 2002-12-04 | 2003-12-01 | A method and apparatus for holding or mounting an object |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1583637A1 true EP1583637A1 (en) | 2005-10-12 |
Family
ID=32474131
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03790228A Withdrawn EP1583637A1 (en) | 2002-12-04 | 2003-12-01 | A method and apparatus for holding or mounting an object |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1583637A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006508816A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003293234A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004050302A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4771421B2 (en) * | 2006-08-16 | 2011-09-14 | 株式会社アルバック | Holding device and substrate delivery method |
JP6411821B2 (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2018-10-24 | オリンパス株式会社 | Lens manufacturing apparatus and lens manufacturing method |
CN115283627A (en) * | 2022-07-20 | 2022-11-04 | 马鞍山市中桥金属材料有限公司 | Impact-resistant assembly type steel ingot mold chassis base |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0169931A1 (en) * | 1984-08-03 | 1986-02-05 | Wilhelm Loh Wetzlar Optikmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG | Supporting device for optical lenses and other components during grinding and polishing |
EP0169932B1 (en) * | 1984-08-03 | 1987-04-22 | Wilhelm Loh Wetzlar Optikmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG | Supporting device for vulnerable objects, in particular optical lenses and other optical elements |
DE3934180C2 (en) * | 1988-10-20 | 1996-02-08 | Olympus Optical Co | Holding device for an optical lens to be ground |
GB2275633B (en) * | 1993-03-05 | 1996-07-10 | Europtica Int Ltd | Lens blocking |
-
2003
- 2003-12-01 WO PCT/US2003/038255 patent/WO2004050302A1/en active Application Filing
- 2003-12-01 AU AU2003293234A patent/AU2003293234A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-01 EP EP03790228A patent/EP1583637A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-12-01 JP JP2004570989A patent/JP2006508816A/en active Pending
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2004050302A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2004050302A1 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
AU2003293234A1 (en) | 2004-06-23 |
JP2006508816A (en) | 2006-03-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050627 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
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AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
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RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
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RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: GERBER COBURN OPTICAL, INC. |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: GERBER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
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DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
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18W | Application withdrawn |
Effective date: 20060614 |
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D18W | Application withdrawn (deleted) | ||
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20080318 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20091215 |