Eyeglass component engraving device
A laser cutting tool whose position, aiming direction and cutting duration are controlled by a programmable microprocessor, is housed in a cabinet above a platen equipped with a number of component-holding stations. Each of the stations has a plurality of vises sized to grasp an eyeglass component including lenses or lens blanks, a eyeglass frame, temple pieces, a nose bridge, a carrying case or a lens cleaning swatches. Program data sets specify the edging out of blanks of a particular optical property, and the engraving of the lens and other components with decorative patterns. A cylindrical cutting wheel mounted on a position-controlled carriage has a circular groove is also programmed to bevel the edges of the lenses.
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/889,798 filed Jul. 13, 2004, and a continuation-in-part of co-pending PCT Application No. PCT/US05/24663 filed Jul. 13, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to the machining of eyeglass components including the edging of lenses out of lens blanks, and the decorative engraving of lenses, frames, temple pieces, nose bridges, carrying cases and cleaning swatches.
BACKGROUNDThe manufacture of eyeglass lenses is a time-consuming, multi-step process which generally includes the measuring of a patient's condition to derive a prescription for each eye, the measuring or tracing of the size and shape of the desired eyeglass frame, the selection of a lens blank for each eye which will accommodate the prescription for that eye and the frame, measuring or otherwise determining the optical parameters of each blank such as its power, and for cylindrical lenses, its optical axis orientation, and blocking or otherwise properly orienting each lens blank according to its optical parameters and the prescription parameters in a machine or number of machines which can further process the blank into the final lens. The processing includes edging or cutting away material from the lens blank so that the finished lens may fit the selected eyeglass frame, beveling or grooving the peripheral edge to snugly fit the frame, drilling attachment holes for temples or earpieces and nose bridges for so-called “rimless” eyeglasses, and tinting the lenses for sunglasses.
In general, most eyeglass lenses fall into two categories, namely spherical lenses and cylindrical lenses, each being suited to correct different patient conditions. Referring now to
Referring now to
Each lens blank, whether spherical or cylindrical in type is characterized by its lens blank parameters which can include the material from which the blank is made such as glass, acrylic or polycarbonate plastic materials, and the optical parameters which define the shape contour of the front and rear surfaces, which can include its diopter values, decentration of the optical center and cylindrical axis orientation. Even non-prescription lens blanks can be said to have such parameters though they may have zero values such as zero optical power values. The parameters which describe the lens blank are collectively referred to as “lens blank parameters”. A difference in even one parameter may result in a different type of lens blank. Such lens blanks are commercially available from a number of sources such as the Sola Lens company of Pensacola, Fla., or the Younger Optical company of Torrance, Calif. Depending on the prescription, a “stock” lens blank may have to be “customized” or further ground and polished to provide the desired front and back surface shapes. It has been found that most prescriptions can be filled by commercially available finished lens blanks without further grinding and polishing of the optical surfaces.
Referring back to
So called “rimless” eyeglasses have recently gained popularity. Rimless eyeglasses are typically formed by drilling through-holes in the peripheral edge portions of each of the edged lenses to facilitate the fastening of nose bridge and temple or earpiece structures thereon. A significant advantage of “rimless” lenses is that they do not require quite as accurate edging in order to adequately fit a given frame. However, because of the absence of the structurally stiffening and strengthening surrounding frame, many “rimless” designs can have a greater susceptibility to damage than their “rimmed” counterparts. Another disadvantage is that the mechanical drilling of the through-holes can cause stress damage to the lenses.
Another disadvantage of “rimless” eyeglasses is that they typically do not offer the same potential for frame ornamentation that “rimmed” eyeglasses do.
Lasers and abrasive water jet-type cutting devices have been used in the past to machine manufactured parts made from a number of different materials such as metal and plastic. Laser and abrasive jet machining typically requires time consuming programming for each part shape being made. Further, use of lasers and abrasive jets can induce heat and residual artifacts which can damage parts or require further machining.
It is often desirable to mark eyeglasses with a monogram or other identifying indicium in order to guard against theft or as a fashion feature. Some fashionable styles also requires engraving the various components of eyeglasses including the frame, the temple pieces and the nose bridge with decorative patterns, sometimes customly specified by the purchaser. Today there is no device or process that can fulfill these various tasks.
Therefore, there is a need for the more automated and economical edging of eyeglass and sunglass lenses which address some or all of the above described disadvantages.
SUMMARYThe instant invention provides a eyeglass component machining device that is programmed to edge prescription lenses out of standard blanks, bevel the edges of the lenses, drill attachment holes in lenses, frames, temple pieces and nose bridges. The device can engrave the periphery of the lenses and all the other eyeglass components with decorative of identifying designs. The device groups in a single enclosure, a laser cutting tool, a grinding tool, a platen equipped with a plurality of eyeglass component holding structures, and a programmable microprocessor. The tools are mounted on a position controllable carriage positioned above the platen. The microprocessor is programmed with edging, grinding, drilling and engraving routines that operate as a function of various parameters data sets including component location parameters, blank optical parameters, lens prescription optical parameters, and decoration parameters. Multiple tasks are performed on a complete array of eyeglass component in a single machining session.
Some embodiments provide a device for machining eyeglass components including lenses, frames, temple pieces, nose bridges, cases and cleaning swatches, which comprises: a holding platen including a plurality of component holding stations; each of said stations being shaped and dimensioned to fixedly hold one of said components; an electronic controlled cutting tool mounted about said platen; and a programmable microprocessor adapted to control the location, aim and cutting duration of said tool with respect to said stations according to component parameter data sets.
In some embodiments said machining of eyeglass lenses comprises edging lenses out of cylindrical or spherical lens blanks along edging paths selected as a function of defined optical parameters; and wherein said component parameter data sets comprise lens blank parameters and lens optical parameters.
In some embodiments said data set comprise lens engraving parameters. In some embodiments said data sets comprise frame engraving parameters. In some embodiments said data sets comprises temple piece engraving parameters. In some embodiments said data sets comprise eyeglass case engraving parameters. In some embodiments said data sets comprise cleaning swatch engraving parameters. In some embodiments said data sets comprises lens, frame, temple piece, nose bridge, case, and cleaning swatch engraving parameters. In some embodiments said data sets further comprise lens, frame, temple piece, nose bridge, case and cleaning swatch engraving parameters.
In some embodiments the machining device further comprises a position controllable grinding tool mounted about said platen; and wherein said programmable microprocessor is adapted to apply said grinding tool to peripheral areas of lenses.
In some embodiments said grinding tool comprises a cylindrical abrasive head having an axial spinning movement and a peripheral groove. In some embodiments said groove is shaped and dimensioned to bevel the edges of lenses.
In some embodiments said data sets comprise lens edging, beveling and engraving parameters. In some embodiments said lens engraving data sets comprise program routines for creating a dye-retaining tooth pattern in a marginal peripheral zone of said lenses.
In some embodiments said machining of lenses comprises drilling component attachment holes through said lenses; and said data sets comprise drill location parameters.
In some embodiments said platen comprises a plurality of vises sized to grasp a plurality of said components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
With further reference to the drawing, there is shown in
It should be noted that the holding structures of the platen are positioned and dimensioned to fixedly hold the top surfaces of the various components—lens blanks or pre-edged lenses 26, frame 27, temple pieces 28, carrying case 29 and cleaning swatch 30—in about the same horizontal plane in order to facilitate access by the processing tools such as cutting, grinding and inking tools.
As illustrated in
It should be noted that for processing a single pair of eyeglass components the two lens-holding templates will have pits which are essentially mirror images of each other. Further, it shall be understood that a set of interchangeable template pieces are provided, each having a differently shaped pit so that the set can accommodate a number of different pre-edged lens shapes.
As shown in
Referring now to
The use of an angularly keyed interlocking structure between the cup portion and the body allows a lens blank to be optically “blocked” or just merely held in place by the blocking structure. If the blank is optically “blocked”, some of the lens blank parameters can be ignored during processing. The cup supports an arcuate leap pad 87 made of resilient material such as foam rubber. The top and bottom surfaces of the pad have sticky layers 81 for contacting the blank and cup, and securing them against unwanted relative movement. The blocking structure is releasably bonded to the platen 19 by means of a magnet 89 located at the bottom end of the body where the platen is made at least partially from a ferro-magnetic material.
Referring back to
The temple piece holding structure 22 consists essentially of twin vises in which each temple piece is clamped between a central wall 38 and a pair of jaws 39 astride the wall 38.
The case-holding structure 23 consists essentially of two resiliently flexible plates 40, 41 between which the case 29 is clamped. Alternately, or in addition to the plates, a number of spacers 29A can be used to adjust the height of the case. The cleaning swatch holding structure 24 consists essentially in a horizontal table.
As illustrated in
A pair of rulers 61, 62 mounted orthogonally to one another on the platen in the working plane of the top surface of the various components provide a convenient reference for mapping the location of the various components about the platen by way of a locator program that analyses a digital image provided by a camera 77 mounted over the platen.
The tool assembly 25 includes a X-Y carriage 42 as illustrated in
Each of the platforms has a internal clutch that allows it to be optionally engaged with the shafts 51, 52. Accordingly, by coordinating the operation of the various motors and internal clutches, any or all of the tools can be positioned at any coordinate location above the components held on the platen 19. The grinding tool is also provided with a depth adjustment mechanism whereby a cylindrical abrasive grinding wheel 55 that spins axially can be accurately lowered against the edges of the lenses.
The head 56 of the laser cutting tool is mounted on a controllable universal joint 57A that allows the laser beam to be accurately aimed toward its target.
The aforesaid machining device 13 can perform a variety of edging, engraving, beveling, sensing, cleaning and drilling operations of which exemplary results are illustrated in
The laser-cutting tool 57 can be used to edge a pair of eyeglass lenses from lens blanks as a function of lens location parameters, the optical property parameters of the blanks and of the desired lens according to the techniques described in the background of this specification. Additionally, and in the case of rimless eyeglasses, the laser tool can drill attachment holes 64, 65 on either side of the lens. The laser tool can also be used to drill holes 66, 67 in the nose bridge. The tool can also be used to drill holes 68 in the temple pieces and holes 69, 70 in the frame.
The laser tool 54 can also be used to engrave the surface of a peripheral marginal zone 71 of a lens with a fine tooth that will retain a dye into which the lens is later dipped, or retain ink deposited by the ink jet head 82. The colored zone provides a decorative element which, in the case of a frame-less eyeglass assembly, simulates a frame around the lens. Alternately, the engraving can create a decorative pattern consisting of cross-hatching 72, series of circles or stars 73 or other whimsical designs 74 on either or all of the peripheral zones of the lenses, the sides of the temple pieces, the frame or the nose bridge. A monogram 75 can also be engraved in a corner of one of the lenses.
In order to perform the various above-described machining tasks the microprocessor 17 is programmed with a number of routines including a routine for edging lenses, a routine for beveling the edge of a lens, a routine for etching a dye-retaining or ink-retaining tooth on the surface of a lens or components, routines for engraving the surface of components, routines for ink-jet printing on the surface of lenses or components, routines for cleaning the surface of lenses or components, hole drilling routines, and routines for protecting unused tool head against fouling. The microprocessor also stores the parameter data sets 115 that are listed on the map of
In the case where lenses must be cut from blanks, the data base must include the optical characteristics of the blanks 118, the desired optical properties 119 of the lens, and a definition of the edging path to be followed by the cutting tool.
The data base must also include the exact drilling location coordinates 120 for the various work pieces.
Finally, the coordinates of the areas to be engraved 121 of the various components must also be provided.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for machining eyeglass components including lenses, frames, temple pieces, nose: bridges, cases and cleaning swatches, which comprises:
- a holding platen including a plurality of component holding stations;
- each of said stations being shaped and dimensioned to fixedly hold one of said components;
- an electronic controlled cutting tool mounted about said platen; and
- a programmable microprocessor adapted to control the location, aim and cutting duration of said tool with respect to said stations according to component parameter data sets.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein said machining of eyeglass lenses comprises edging lenses out of cylindrical or spherical lens blanks along edging paths selected as a function of defined optical parameters; and
- wherein said component parameter data sets comprise lens blank parameters and lens optical parameters.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said data set comprise lens engraving parameters.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said data sets comprise frame engraving parameters.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said data sets comprises temple piece engraving parameters.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein said data sets comprise eyeglass case engraving parameters.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said data sets comprise cleaning swatch engraving parameters.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said data sets comprises lens, frame, temple piece, nose bridge, case, and cleaning swatch engraving parameters.
9. The device of claim 2, wherein said data sets further comprise lens, frame, temple piece, nose bridge, case and cleaning swatch engraving parameters.
10. The device of claim 1 which further comprises a position controllable grinding tool mounted about said platen; and
- wherein said programmable microprocessor is adapted to apply said grinding tool to peripheral areas of lenses.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein said grinding tool comprises a cylindrical abrasive head having an axial spinning movement and a peripheral groove.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said groove is shaped and dimensioned to bevel the edges of lenses.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said data sets comprise lens edging, beveling and engraving parameters.
14. The device of claim 3,wherein said lens engraving data sets comprise program routines for creating a dye-retaining tooth pattern in a marginal peripheral zone of said lenses.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein said machining of lenses comprises drilling component attachment holes through said lenses; and
- said data sets comprise drill location parameters.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein said platen comprises a plurality of vises sized to grasp a plurality of said components.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2006
Inventors: Ricardo Covarrubias (Guadalajara), Dominique Merz (Laguna Beach, CA), John Buchaca (La Mesa, CA)
Application Number: 11/396,399
International Classification: B24B 51/00 (20060101); B24B 7/00 (20060101);