US20060089088A1 - Holding apparatus for an optical element - Google Patents

Holding apparatus for an optical element Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060089088A1
US20060089088A1 US11/253,765 US25376505A US2006089088A1 US 20060089088 A1 US20060089088 A1 US 20060089088A1 US 25376505 A US25376505 A US 25376505A US 2006089088 A1 US2006089088 A1 US 2006089088A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
optical element
pressure piece
force
expected
bearing elements
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.)
Pending
Application number
US11/253,765
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English (en)
Inventor
Joachim Feucht
Rainer Engel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Carl Zeiss AG
Original Assignee
Carl Zeiss AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carl Zeiss AG filed Critical Carl Zeiss AG
Assigned to CARL ZEISS AG reassignment CARL ZEISS AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ENGEL, RAINER, FEUCHT, JOACHIM
Publication of US20060089088A1 publication Critical patent/US20060089088A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a holding apparatus for an optical element according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 .
  • the invention also relates to a method for the abrasive processing of an optical element.
  • Patent WO 01/54861 A1 discloses a holding chuck for optical components for the purpose of lapping and/or polishing the latter that has a cover part with a number of recesses in which the optical elements to be processed are respectively accommodated. Also located in the recesses are respective membranes to which pressure can be applied in order to press the associated optical element against the polishing tool.
  • a similar polishing chuck is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,993. Different versions of the chuck are described there for a concave or a convex side of the optical element to be processed.
  • this object is achieved by means of a holding apparatus for an optical element with the aid of a force applying device that is provided for the purpose of pressing the optical element against an abrasion tool during an abrasive processing of said optical element, the force applying device acting on a pressure piece that is in contact with the optical element and can move in the direction of the abrasion tool, the pressure piece being adapted to a force distribution that is to be expected inside the optical element during the processing of the optical element.
  • the holding apparatus therefore has a pressure piece acting on the optical element and consisting of a rigid material, this adaptation to the force distribution to be expected during the processing of the optical element resulting in a controllable pressure distribution and thus in a substantially improved support of the optical element such that the latter is substantially less deformed during the processing.
  • These lesser deformations enable better processing results, and it is possible to produce optical elements with a very much higher accuracy and/or a lesser center thickness.
  • Such an apparatus can have a force applying device that is provided for the purpose of pressing the optical element against the abrasion tool during the abrasive processing of said element. It is advantageous in this case when the force applying device acts on the pressure piece, which can move in the direction of the abrasion tool, since it is possible thereby to apply the force required for the abrasive processing.
  • the pressure piece has on its side facing the optical element a material that prevents damage to the optical element by the pressure piece.
  • a very gentle handling of the optical element during the holding of the latter in the holding apparatus is provided in this way. This is particularly brought about when that surface which is in contact with the pressure piece is not processed at a later point in time. Furthermore, this also results in a simple possibility of preventing the optical element from being corotated by the mostly rotating abrasion tool during the processing.
  • the pressure piece has on its side facing the optical element a number of separate bearing elements that are provided for coming into contact with the optical element.
  • Such bearing elements distributed over the pressure piece constitute an embodiment of the adaptation of the pressure piece to the pressure distribution to be expected inside the optical element during the processing of the latter that is particularly easy to implement, since the introduction of force from the pressure piece into the optical element can be controlled by the distribution of the bearing elements over the surface of the pressure piece.
  • a particularly simple mounting of the bearing elements on the pressure piece is provided when at least some of the bearing elements are of substantially round design.
  • a further advantage of this embodiment consists in the fact that a particularly accurate force distribution is possible over the surface of the pressure piece with the aid of round bearing elements.
  • the pressure piece has a cross section adapted to the force distribution to be expected inside the optical element during the processing of the optical element, the pressure piece having in those regions where a higher force is to be expected a greater thickness than in those regions where a lower force is to be expected.
  • Claim 14 specifies a method for the abrasive processing of an optical element in which the optical element is pressed against a rotating abrasion tool with the aid of an apparatus. Such a method can be used to produce optical elements such as lenses, having slight deformations and a very high accuracy.
  • FIG. 1 shows a section through a holding apparatus according to the invention for an optical element that is being processed with an abrasion tool
  • FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the apparatus from FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a section through a holding apparatus 1 for an optical element 2 .
  • the optical element 2 is a lens, but it would likewise also be possible to hold other optical elements 2 , such as, for example, mirrors or the like, in the holding apparatus 1 .
  • the size of the optical element 2 plays only a very subordinate role here.
  • the holding apparatus 1 has a force applying device 3 that is provided for the purpose of pressing the optical element 2 against an abrasion tool 4 , represented by a dashed and dotted line, during an abrasive processing of said optical element, and thus to apply the force required for the processing.
  • abrasive processing is understood in the present case as, for example, a polishing or grinding operation and so the abrasion tool 4 can be a grinding or polishing element that can be of known design, and is therefore not described in more detail below.
  • the abrasion tool 4 should be rotated about its longitudinal axis in order to achieve a cutting speed.
  • the force applying device 3 has a feed bore 6 that is arranged in a basic body 5 of the holding apparatus 1 and is provided for applying a pneumatic pressure to a membrane 7 of the force applying device 3 .
  • the pneumatic pressure introduced via the feed bore 6 into the holding apparatus 1 and applied to the membrane 7 can be produced in a way known per se but not illustrated in the present case.
  • the membrane 7 clamped between the basic body 5 and a supporting ring 8 arches, upon the application of pressure, in the direction of a movable pressure piece 9 that is in contact with the optical element 2 and is capable of pressing the latter against the abrasion tool 4 in the direction of the arrow “X”. During this movement, the pressure piece 9 is guided through the lateral supporting ring 8 .
  • the supporting ring 8 serves the purpose of supporting the optical element 2 at its periphery.
  • the supporting ring 8 preferably consists of plastic, but it could also likewise consist of aluminum or another suitable metal.
  • the pressure piece 9 is adapted to a force distribution to be expected inside the optical element 2 during the processing of the optical element 2 .
  • the pressure piece 9 has on its side facing the optical element 2 , that is to say on its side averted from the membrane 7 , a number of separate bearing elements 10 that are provided for the purpose of coming into contact with the optical element 2 .
  • the bearing elements 10 form that part of the pressure piece 9 that is in contact with the optical element 2 .
  • the pressure piece 9 does not touch the optical element 2 in the interspaces between the bearing elements 10 .
  • the pressure piece 9 is provided with appropriate depressions 11 into which the bearing elements 10 are preferably bonded for the purpose of holding the bearing elements 10 .
  • the bearing elements 10 are of substantially round design, but annular bearing elements 10 or ones having another suitable shape would also be conceivable and, of course, bearing elements 10 having an annular, oval, round or some other shape could also be used with one and the same pressure piece.
  • the bearing elements 10 preferably consist of an elastic material that prevents damage to the optical element 2 and simultaneously ensures that an undesired movement of the optical element 2 is prevented during rotation of the abrasion tool 4 .
  • the preferably elastic material of the bearing elements 10 can be, for example, rubber, or also a relatively soft plastic.
  • the distribution or arrangement of the bearing elements 10 over the surface of the pressure piece 9 , as well as the shape and the size of the same is preferably set up via a calculation using a finite element method with the aid of which it is possible to determine those points or regions of the optical element 2 at which during the processing of the optical element 2 with the abrasion tool 4 a higher force occurs than in other regions of the optical element 2 . Consequently, it is precisely the more highly loaded regions of the optical element 2 that are more strongly supported such that lesser deformations are to be expected there than in the case of customary processing. This leads finally to a uniform force distribution inside the optical element 2 during an abrasive processing of the latter such that only very slight deformations of the optical element 2 result.
  • the bearing elements 10 can also exhibit different hardnesses for one and the same pressure piece 9 in order to achieve a better adaptation to the force distribution to be expected inside the optical element 2 during the processing thereof. Since finite elements methods are known per se, it is not necessary for the same to be examined in more detail here.
  • the distribution illustrated for the bearing elements 10 over the surface of the pressure piece 9 is to be considered as purely exemplary and suitable for a specific optical element 2 , and it is advantageous with reference to a deformation of the optical element 2 that is as slight as possible during the abrasive processing of said element when a separate calculation of the required distribution of the bearing elements 10 is carried out for each geometrically different design of the optical element 2 to be processed.
  • the pressure piece 9 can thereby have a larger number of bearing elements 10 in those regions where a higher force is to be expected than in those regions where a lower force is to be expected. If very similar results are returned in calculating the distribution of the bearing elements 10 for different optical elements 2 , it is possible, of course, to design only one identical pressure piece 9 for these different optical elements 2 .
  • the cross section of the pressure piece 9 would also be possible to adapt the cross section of the pressure piece 9 to the force distribution inside the optical element 2 to be expected during the processing of the optical element 2 .
  • the pressure piece 9 would thereby be provided in those regions where a higher force is to be expected with a greater thickness, that is to say a greater extent in the x-direction, than in those regions where a lower force is to be expected.
  • the pressure piece 9 In order to transmit the force transmitted to the pressure piece 9 by the force applying device 3 to the optical element 2 without producing impermissibly high deformations on said optical element, it would be advantageous in this case to adapt the pressure piece on its side facing the optical element 2 to the surface of the optical element 2 , that is to say to provide the pressure piece 9 with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the optical element 2 . Damage to the optical element 2 could be prevented in this case were the pressure piece 9 provided on its side facing the optical element 2 with a corresponding, preferably elastic material preventing damage to the optical element 2 such as plastic or rubber. It is particularly expedient when, as is to be preferred, the pressure piece 9 consists of metal, preferably of steel or aluminum. It is also possible, however, to use glass or a plastic of suitable hardness for the pressure piece 9 .
  • the holding device 1 it would be possible to dispense with the force applying device 3 and to use the abrasion tool 4 to apply the force required for the processing.
  • the pressure piece 9 could then be rigid and support the optical element 2 against the force applied by the abrasion tool 4 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Grinding And Polishing Of Tertiary Curved Surfaces And Surfaces With Complex Shapes (AREA)
  • Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
US11/253,765 2004-10-21 2005-10-19 Holding apparatus for an optical element Pending US20060089088A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102004051155A DE102004051155A1 (de) 2004-10-21 2004-10-21 Aufnahmevorrichtung für ein optisches Element
DE102004051155.1 2004-10-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060089088A1 true US20060089088A1 (en) 2006-04-27

Family

ID=35414646

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/253,765 Pending US20060089088A1 (en) 2004-10-21 2005-10-19 Holding apparatus for an optical element

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20060089088A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1649977A1 (de)
JP (1) JP2006116697A (de)
DE (1) DE102004051155A1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130303060A1 (en) * 2010-11-26 2013-11-14 Schneider Gmbh & Co. Kg Block piece
US20140329443A1 (en) * 2013-05-06 2014-11-06 Satisloh Ag Multi Part Blocking Piece
US8951097B2 (en) 2009-12-24 2015-02-10 Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique) Method for mounting an optical lens to be polished

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2151233A (en) * 1937-01-21 1939-03-21 American Optical Corp Lens blocking
US5095660A (en) * 1988-10-25 1992-03-17 Dillon Laurence A Polishing means for lens generating apparatus
US5255474A (en) * 1990-08-06 1993-10-26 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Polishing spindle
US5410843A (en) * 1991-05-16 1995-05-02 Wernicke X Co. Gmbh Process for finishing the edge of corrective lenses made of plastic
US5462475A (en) * 1993-02-12 1995-10-31 National Optronics, Inc. Blocking system for prescription lenses
US5683290A (en) * 1994-05-23 1997-11-04 Nec Corporation Apparatus for forming a convex tip on a workpiece
US5762546A (en) * 1995-12-13 1998-06-09 Coburn Optical Industries, Inc. Pneumatically assisted conformal tool for an ophthalmic lens finer/polisher
US5964647A (en) * 1994-09-27 1999-10-12 Essilor International Compagnie Generale D'optique Method and device for remedying the fragility of the edges of a spectacle lens made of rigid material and corresponding spectacle lens
US6155911A (en) * 1997-11-14 2000-12-05 Optotech Optikmaschinen Gmbh Method and device for polishing both sides of optical lenses

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2441108A (en) * 1947-02-24 1948-05-04 Eastman Kodak Co Abrading apparatus
DE2252503C3 (de) * 1972-10-26 1975-12-18 Wilhelm Loh Kg Optikmaschinenfabrik, 6330 Wetzlar Futter für optische Linsen zur Verwendung in Linsenschleif- oder Poliermaschinen
DE3934180C2 (de) * 1988-10-20 1996-02-08 Olympus Optical Co Haltevorrichtung für eine zu schleifende optische Linse
US5357716A (en) * 1988-10-20 1994-10-25 Olympus Optical Company Limited Holding device for holding optical element to be ground
JPH06328355A (ja) * 1993-05-21 1994-11-29 Olympus Optical Co Ltd レンズ保持装置
JPH07164298A (ja) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-27 Olympus Optical Co Ltd レンズ保持装置
EP0807491B1 (de) * 1996-05-17 1999-01-20 Opto Tech GmbH Halterung für optische Linsen und Verfahren zum Polieren von Linsen

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2151233A (en) * 1937-01-21 1939-03-21 American Optical Corp Lens blocking
US5095660A (en) * 1988-10-25 1992-03-17 Dillon Laurence A Polishing means for lens generating apparatus
US5255474A (en) * 1990-08-06 1993-10-26 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Polishing spindle
US5410843A (en) * 1991-05-16 1995-05-02 Wernicke X Co. Gmbh Process for finishing the edge of corrective lenses made of plastic
US5410843B1 (en) * 1991-05-16 1998-06-09 Wernicke & Co Gmbh Process for finishing the edge of corrective lenses made of plastic
US5462475A (en) * 1993-02-12 1995-10-31 National Optronics, Inc. Blocking system for prescription lenses
US5683290A (en) * 1994-05-23 1997-11-04 Nec Corporation Apparatus for forming a convex tip on a workpiece
US5964647A (en) * 1994-09-27 1999-10-12 Essilor International Compagnie Generale D'optique Method and device for remedying the fragility of the edges of a spectacle lens made of rigid material and corresponding spectacle lens
US5762546A (en) * 1995-12-13 1998-06-09 Coburn Optical Industries, Inc. Pneumatically assisted conformal tool for an ophthalmic lens finer/polisher
US6155911A (en) * 1997-11-14 2000-12-05 Optotech Optikmaschinen Gmbh Method and device for polishing both sides of optical lenses

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8951097B2 (en) 2009-12-24 2015-02-10 Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'optique) Method for mounting an optical lens to be polished
US20130303060A1 (en) * 2010-11-26 2013-11-14 Schneider Gmbh & Co. Kg Block piece
US20140329443A1 (en) * 2013-05-06 2014-11-06 Satisloh Ag Multi Part Blocking Piece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102004051155A1 (de) 2006-04-27
EP1649977A1 (de) 2006-04-26
JP2006116697A (ja) 2006-05-11

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Owner name: CARL ZEISS AG, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FEUCHT, JOACHIM;ENGEL, RAINER;REEL/FRAME:016912/0906

Effective date: 20051215

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