Abstract: A draining device for removing processing water attached to a lens includes: a first lens holding shaft to which a cup attached to a refractive surface of the lens as a processing jig can be fitted; and a rotating unit which rotates the first lens holding shaft to remove the water by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A polishing jig for mounting a working object lens on a polishing apparatus that polishes the concave surface of the working object lens, a conveyor tray for exclusive use for conveying the polishing jig, and a conveying method and a conveying apparatus for conveying the polishing jig or the like with the working object lens held thereon to a working apparatus such as the polishing apparatus. The polishing jig (1) includes a mounting potion (2) to be mounted on a chuck of a polishing apparatus, a ring-shaped closely contacting portion (3) for closely contacting with a convex surface (11) of a working object lens (10), and a filling gap portion (4) having an opening at the closely contacting portion for being filled with adhesive substance (7) which adheres to the convex surface of the working object lens closely contacted by the closely contacting portion to hold the working object lens.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for polishing end faces of optical fibers, comprising a main body with fixing grooves; a fixing rod is accepted in each fixing groove; the upper end of the fixing rod is combined with the supporting stand; the bottom of the fixing rod has diametrically protruding engaging portion to allow the fixing rod not to be contacted with the fixing groove except at the engaging portion; the fixing groove is indented below the main body to cause a contact face of the bottom of the fixing rod and the fixing groove is on a same plane with a contact face of the polished end faces of optical fibers and a polishing surface to allow a same polished shape to be obtained at a same batch work of the polished end faces. Whereby, the polishing speed and quality can be enhanced.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention provides a blocking apparatus and a blocking method for precisely aligning a button holder against a block during blocking process of lens manufacturing. According to another aspect, the invention provides an adjustable offset that enables pivotal movement of a button holder for precision alignment. According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a button holder that may flexibly float on a seat stage of a blocking apparatus, where the button holder may include a mechanism to self-align on the seat stage after a block of the blocking apparatus interfaces with the button holder.

Abstract: A curved surface cutting method in which a surface of a material is cut by a bite to form a specified curved surface, a cutting edge of the bite is provided with a flat section and corner sections at both ends of the flat section; the posture of the cutting edge of the bite is adjusted such that a ridge line along the flat section of the cutting edge of the bite is in parallel with a tangent drawn at the curved surface; and the surface of the material is cut with the cutting edge of the bite retained in the posture while feeding the cutting edge in a predetermined feeding direction, thereby forming a first band-like cut surface having a width corresponding to the width of the cutting edge of the bite.

Abstract: A unit for form machining the edges of spectacle lenses, comprising a CNC-controlled machine tool for form machining of a spectacle lens, a determining device for determining lens parameters, or for attaching a block or a sucker in a correct position and at a correct angle, a lens conveyor past the unit, a manipulator for removing blank lenses from the conveying device, for inserting a blank lens into the determining device, for removing the blank lens from the determining device, for inserting the blank lens into the machine tool, for removing a finished-machined spectacle lens from the machine tool and for returning the spectacle to the conveyor, the manipulator having a transversely movable slides, slide having a first gripper for holding a blank lens and having a second gripper, movable independently of the first gripper, for holding a finished lens in the spectacle-lens edging machine. A method of operation of the foregoing is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a holding device, which 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. Further disclosed herein is a method for creating a lower than atmospheric pressure between a volumetrically controllable fixed mass material and a separate object. The method 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.

Abstract: A method and system for the manufacture of ophthalmic lenses comprising a computer (102) and a CNC machining platform (104) in operative connection with the computer. The CNC machining platform includes a mounting stage (110), a block (106) in releasable connection with the mounting stage, and a machining tool (112). When an unfinished lens blank (108) is properly mounted on the block, the computer is operative to direct the CNC machining platform to perform both back surface generation and patternless edging of the lens blank in one machining cycle. The computer is further operative to direct the CNC machining platform to machine a lap tool for each lens and machine a block for receiving each lens. The block is machined by the platform to include scribe lines for facilitating proper alignment of lens blank.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a block including a block base configured to support a lens for surfacing or finishing, a cover retained to the base, and a formable material disposed between the base and the cover. Further disclosed herein is a system for blocking a lens including a block base configured to support a lens for processing, a cover retained to the base, a formable material disposed between the base and the cover, and a receptacle configured to receive the base to heat and cool the base. Further disclosed herein is a method for blocking a lens includes heating a block to render the formable material pliable, applying a lens to the block, and cooling the block to render the material non-pliable. A method for blocking a lens includes rendering a formable material of a block pliable, deforming the material with a lens, rendering the formable material non-pliable and causing a vacuum between the formable material and the lens to hold the lens to the block.

Abstract: Retaining device (1) for a block or suction element (10) in a centering device for spectacle lenses, having a support, which has a longitudinal axis (2), having a spherically dome-shaped bearing surface (3) on the support, having a spherical dome (5), which is mounted cardanically on the support and is complementary to the bearing surface, having a holding element (6) in the spherical dome for the block or suction element with a contact surface (11) for the spectacle lens, and having a radius (R) of the bearing surface and of the spherical dome, the mid-point (M) of which is located on the longitudinal axis of the support (1) on the contact surface for the spectacle lens.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a lens defining opposed top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral edge. The cleaning apparatus comprises a rotatable base having a plurality of arms pivotally connected thereto and rotatable therewith. The arms are configured to releasably engage the peripheral edge of the lens. The cleaning apparatus further comprises a steam conduit including a dispensing nozzle which is selectively positionable in a prescribed orientation relative to the lens mounted within the arms, the dispensing nozzle being operative to propel steam towards at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the lens while the lens is being spun by the rotation of the base and the arms.

Abstract: An end face polishing apparatus has a jig plate for supporting at least one workpiece having an end face, a polishing plate mounted for undergoing movement, and a polishing member mounted on the polishing plate for undergoing movement therewith to polish the end face of the workpiece. A slidable contact member is disposed on one of the jig plate and the polishing plate for contacting the other of the jig plate and the polishing plate to thereby regulate a polishing amount of the end face of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of lathing a lens, especially a contact lens, involves attaching the cylindrical blank of lens material to a first block of machineable plastic material, lathe cutting a desired first lens surface in the cylindrical blank, attaching the machined first lens surface of the blank to a second block, lathe cutting to remove the block of machineable plastic material, and lathe cutting a desired second lens surface in the blank. Both the first and second blocks may be adhered to the lens blank with an adhesive curable by ultraviolet radiation, and a two-piece block, composed of a head section and a body section, is disclosed.

Abstract: A holder for an optical fiber ferrule end face grinding apparatus is provided which can grind an increased number of optical fiber ferrules simultaneously. The bolder comprises a holder plate provided with a plurality of ferrule insertion holes, a seat extending to at least one insertion hole and having a first wall, and a second wall on a side of the insertion hole opposing the seat. A slidable holding member including a front face facing the second wall, and an inclined rear face is disposed on the seat. A depression member is mounted on the holder plate that presses downwardly on a rod member disposed on the inclined rear face. As the depression member is operated, the rod member is pressed downwardly along the first wall, and the holding member is pushed forward such that a ferrule is clamped between the front face and the second wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a block including a block base configured to support a lens for surfacing or finishing, a cover retained to the base, and a formable material disposed between the base and the cover. Further disclosed herein is a system for blocking a lens including a block base configured to support a lens for processing, a cover retained to the base, a formable material disposed between the base and the cover, and a receptacle configured to receive the base to heat and cool the base. Further disclosed herein is a method for blocking a lens includes heating a block to render the formable material pliable, applying a lens to the block, and cooling the block to render the material non-pliable. A method for blocking a lens includes rendering a formable material of a block pliable, deforming the material with a lens, rendering the formable material non-pliable and causing a vacuum between the formable material and the lens to hold the lens to the block.

Abstract: An end face polishing machine having a polishing board supported on a machine body, and an optical fiber retaining jig, and adapted to polish a free end portion of an optical fiber retained by the jig, to the shape of a wedge by a polishing member fixed to the polishing board, the machine including an inspection unit adapted to take a picture image of a free end portion of the optical fiber retained by the jig, and ascertain the position of a core on an end face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for polishing or lapping an aspherical surface of a work piece comprises a tool rotatable about an axis, the working surface area of the tool being smaller than the work piece, and an arrangement by means of which the tool and the work piece are adjustable relative to each other in all three directions in space, by means of which the orientation of the tool relative to the work piece is adjustable about at least two axes, and by means of which the work piece is rotatable about an axis.

Abstract: A method for removable attachment of a mask to an IOL to protect a sharp peripheral edge of the IOL optic during polishing.

Abstract: A machining device for processing metal hanging rod of blinds having a machine platform, two fixing bases, and a retaining unit. A top of the machine platform has a holding groove for the two fixing bases. A middle section of the machine platform has an internally threaded hole for a reversible bolt of a motor. A bottom of the machine platform has a registration groove for the retaining unit to be guided via bearings. The fixing bases, each having a spring and a tapered pivot support, are adjustable to fit the length of a metal hanging rod. A sand wheel, contacting the metal hanging rod at one point and turned on to vibrate said springs, cuts out an interlaced wavy pattern on a periphery of the metal hanging rod. Alternatively, two concentric sand wheels form two contact points, producing double-layered interlaced wavy pattern on the metal hanging rod.

Abstract: Process for collective production of integrated magnetic heads with a supporting surface with a determined height. According to the invention the components of a board are thinned collectively be etching the board along area overlapping polar parts.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a front surface where circuits are formed and a back surface, a hemispherical solid immersion lens is formed at the back surface of the semiconductor device in a body with the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Generally a method and apparatus for determining a position of an object is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a locating plate, a window and a camera. The camera is positioned to view the target through the window disposed in the locating plate. The position of an object viewed by the camera through the window by be resolved relative to the position of the locating plate. In other embodiments, the apparatus may be disposed in a processing system such as a chemical mechanical polisher to align components such as robots, load cups and polishing heads.

Abstract: A process of dry polishing molded or lathe cut intraocular lenses or like medical devices to removing flash, sharp edges and/or surface irregularities therefrom. The process includes gas and/or rotational tumbling of the intraocular lenses or like medical devices in a dry polishing media. The process is suitable for single piece and multipiece intraocular lenses of varying composition.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for holding an optical element in an optical column with reduced stress (e.g., thermal stress) to the optical element. The devices and methods are especially useful for holding reflective optical elements in an optical column of an optical system used for extreme ultraviolet lithography. The devices allow the elements to be mounted and detached readily from the column. In an embodiment, the device includes multiple anchoring members that attach to respective locations on the optical element. The anchoring members are, in turn, mounted in a mounting frame by a releasable attachment mechanism. Each anchoring member has at least a compliant region configured to prevent transmission of stress to and from the optical element.

Abstract: A polishing puck assembly is provided for use in polishing a fiber optic connector. A slidable weight rests on the fiber optic connector to urge the ferrule of the fiber optic connector to extend below a bottom surface of the puck assembly. The puck assembly can be manipulated relative to polishing material to polish the end of the fiber optic connector. The polishing material can be circular in shape and held by a palette defining one or more circular pockets for holding the polishing material. Different polishing material can be positioned in the different pockets. A circular guide can be utilized in the circular pocket wherein the guide includes a circular opening with a center offset from a center of the circular guide.

Abstract: An end face polishing apparatus has a jig plate for supporting at least one workpiece having an end face and a polishing member for polishing the end face of the workpiece. A support mechanism supports the jig plate to undergo movement in a direction toward the polishing member to bring the end face of the workpiece into pressure contact with the polishing member solely under the weight of the jig plate.

Abstract: A device for deblocking lenses attached to a block has at least one securing device supporting a lens and having an opening for a block suspended from the lens. At least one holding-down device is provided for pressing the lens supported on the securing device against the securing device. At least one impacting device with a striking member movable from below against the securing device for striking the securing device is provided. The securing device and the holding-down device are supported to be movable against a spring-elastic restoring force in a striking direction of the striking member.

Abstract: A method and system for the manufacture of ophthalmic lenses comprising a computer (102) and a CNC machining platform (104) in operative connection with the computer. The CNC machining platform includes a mounting stage (110), a block (106) in releasable connection with the mounting stage, and a machining tool (112). When an unfinished lens blank (108) is properly mounted on the block, the computer is operative to direct the CNC machining platform to perform both back surface generation and patternless edging of the lens blank in one machining cycle. The computer is further operative to direct the CNC machining platform to machine a lap tool for each lens and machine a block for receiving each lens. The block is machined by the platform to include scribe lines for facilitating proper alignment of lens blank.

Abstract: A retainer for retaining an abrasive pad on a lens making machine and an abrasive pad adapted to such retention comprises a retainer nestable with a lap of a lens making machine wherein when such retainer is nested, a pad placed upon the lap before nesting will be trapped in the desired position. The pad of the invention includes radially outwardly extending members beyond the working area of the pad whose purpose is to be trapped by the retainer. The invention enables automatic loading and unloading of pads on the lens making machine.

Abstract: A device for centering clamping of lenses, comprises two aligned centering spindles, arranged one above the other, with bell clamps. One centering spindle is guided axially in a centering spindle guide and may be moved relative to the other centering spindle by a lifting apparatus. To achieve a smooth, sensitively adjustable clamping movement with precise axial alignment of the centering spindles to allow clamping of small lenses, a swivellable rocking lever is provided, to which the mobile centering spindle and a counterweight are coupled on opposing sides. The lifting apparatus is provided with an electric motor-driven ball screw, which raises or lowers the mobile centering spindle and/or the centering spindle guide is equipped with linear guide units, which are arranged on each side of the mobile centering spindle in substantially play-free manner between the latter and a box-type structure.

Abstract: A carrier head of a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus to apply and distribute a polishing slurry to a polishing pad. The retaining ring includes a trough and one or more channels to channel the polishing slurry to the polishing pad.

Abstract: What is described here is a method of manufacturing a spectacle lens in which the critical thickness is to be minimized in particular, comprising the following steps of operation:

Abstract: A device for clamping an ophthalmic lens for edging it includes a driving abutment including a central peg extended externally by an elastically deformable flange.

Abstract: Holding device for a spectacle lens for the purpose of inserting and removing the spectacle lens into or from a container and/or of mounting and removing it on or from a spectacle lens holding shaft of a spectacle lens edge processing machine by means of a handling apparatus, which holding device comprises a base which is held by the handling apparatus and has a depression, a controllable vacuum-pressure connection at the depression, and a spherical cap, which is arranged in the depression, bears tightly against an annular surface of the depression and has an opening to the depression and a sealing region at the edge of the spherical cap for the purpose of bearing against an optical surface of the spectacle lens.

Abstract: Devices and methods for releasably attaching substrate assemblies to carrier heads of planarizing machines in mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization of microelectronic-device substrate assemblies. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a backing member for use in a carrier head to selectively couple a substrate assembly to the carrier head via a vacuum force before, during and after planarizing the substrate assembly. The backing member can include a body having a first section with a first surface configured to be received by the carrier head and a second section with a second surface configured to support a backside of the substrate assembly. The first and second sections of the body are preferably composed of flexible, incompressible materials. The backing member also includes a first vacuum passageway extending, through the body and a plurality of second vacuum passageways coupled to the first passageway.

Abstract: A template holder that is used in measurement of a target shape of an eyeglass lens and that attaches at least one of a template and a dummy lens thereon, includes a template attaching portion and a holding arm. The template attaching portion includes: a template placement portion, on which positioning pins to be inserted into small holes of the template are disposed, for placing the template along a measurement plane; a support shaft to be inserted into a central hole of the template, the support shaft being movable relative to the template placement portion to slide the template on and along the measurement plane; an urging mechanism for urging the support shaft to be moved in an urging direction; and a moving mechanism for moving the support shaft in a direction opposite from the urging direction against a urging force of the urging mechanism when the template is to be attached or detached. The holding arm holds the template attaching portion.

Abstract: An eyeglass-frame-shape measuring device for measuring a lens frame shape of an eyeglass frame has a holding mechanism for holding the frame in a predetermined condition, a feeler movable while being kept in contact with a frame groove of the frame held by the holding mechanism, a measuring mechanism for obtaining information (rn, &thgr;n) on radius vector of the frame based on an amount of movement of the feeler, a moving mechanism having a first motor for moving the feeler in a direction of the radius vector of the frame, and a control mechanism for variably controlling driving of the first motor during measurement based on the information on the radius vector obtained by the measuring mechanism.

Abstract: A method of lathing a lens, especially a contact lens, involves attaching the cylindrical blank of lens material to a first block of machineable plastic material, lathe cutting a desired first lens surface in the cylindrical blank, attaching the machined first lens surface of the blank to a second block, lathe cutting to remove the block of machineable plastic material, and lathe cutting a desired second lens surface in the blank. Both the first and second blocks may be adhered to the lens blank with an adhesive curable by ultraviolet radiation, and a two-piece block, composed of a head section and a body section, is disclosed.

Abstract: This tracing apparatus (11) comprises two tracers (18, 27), which comprise a fine tracer (18), which is brought to bear against the bottom of the bezel of a frame ring (1) and which executes a revolution around the said frame ring in order to determine its form in space, and a second tracer (27), the profile of which matches that of the groove of the bevelling wheel. The difference in penetration of the pointed tips of the two tracers at the same point on the periphery of the bezel is measured in this way, and the corresponding information is sent to the grinding machine in order to control the glass-carrying carriage.

Abstract: A device for centering clamping of lenses, comprises two aligned centering spindles, arranged one above the other, with bell clamps. One centering spindle is guided axially in a centering spindle guide and may be moved relative to the other centering spindle by a lifting apparatus. To achieve a smooth, sensitively adjustable clamping movement with precise axial alignment of the centering spindles to allow clamping of small lenses, a swivellable rocking lever is provided, to which the mobile centering spindle and a counterweight are coupled on opposing sides. The lifting apparatus is provided with an electric motor-driven ball screw, which raises or lowers the mobile centering spindle and/or the centering spindle guide is equipped with linear guide units, which are arranged on each side of the mobile centering spindle in substantially play-free manner between the latter and a box-type structure.

Abstract: A jig for producing optical parts comprises a base stand for stacking ten individuals of fiber coil reels around which optical fibers are wound in a predetermined number of turns respectively, and array-holding mechanisms provided on a circumferential surface of the base stand, for downwardly exposing respective end surfaces of arrays secured to ends of the plurality of optical fibers led from the respective stacked fiber coil reels. Accordingly, it is possible to highly accurately polish the end surfaces of the array members secured to the ends of the optical fibers led from the plurality of reels respectively. It is possible to eliminate almost all dispersion in polishing accuracy among the array members, and it is possible to produce the optical parts highly accurately with a good yield.

Abstract: A lens pad is provided for use on a lens clamp. The lens pad comprises a lens-engaging surface which, in turn, has a lens-facing recess located substantially centrally thereon. The lens-engaging surface thus is annular. Alternatively, the lens-engaging surface is more resilient toward a center thereof than toward a periphery thereof. Forces exerted by the lens pad against a surface of a lens when the lens pad is pressed against the surface therefore are less concentrated than such forces would be if the lens-engaging surface had no recess or variation in resiliency. Also provided is a clamp pad assembly. The clamp pad assembly includes a lens pad and a rotatable body for rotatably connecting the lens pad, at least indirectly, to a clamp arm. The clamp pad assembly also may include a swivel member which is pivotally mounted to the rotatable body for rotation therewith and for pivoting with respect thereto, in which case, the lens pad is mounted to the swivel member for rotation and pivoting therewith.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system is provided having a buffer station disposed therein or adjacent thereto. The buffer station includes two or more substrate supports for supporting two or more substrates adjacent to an inspection station. The two or more substrate supports are mounted on a mounting plate which is connected to an actuator for moving a pair of substrate supports laterally towards or away from each other over the inspection station.

Abstract: A machine for trimming optical lenses includes two coaxial clamping jaws for clamping faces of a blank provided with bearing arrangements each of which cooperates with one face of the blank. At least one of the jaws includes a plate and a body. The plate carries one of the bearing members and is articulated to the body by a male member carried by one of the two parts constituting the plate/body combination and cooperating with a blind female housing in the other of the two parts. The male member has at least three facets evenly distributed about its axis and each facet is generally cylindrical with generatrices orthogonal to the axis and on respective opposite sides of a common transverse plane. The female housing has plane faces parallel to its axis and each of which is delimited axially by a bottom and cooperates with one of the facets of the male member.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating and maintaining a substantially perfect figure eight polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components. The apparatus is capable of simultaneously performing this figure eight polishing pattern on the multiplicity of such connectors and components. Moreover, the specific embodiment disclosed includes a computer program that controls the apparatus. By simultaneously polishing a minimum of forty-eight fiber optic connectors, or similarly configured industrial components, with a polish being better than any now capable of being obtained by the prior art, this invention enables the output of polished fiber optic connectors and similarly configured industrial components to be increased three to four fold over currently employed polishing apparatus while significantly reducing the cost of such polishing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for polishing a rotationally symmetric object such as a glass ball lens. The apparatus includes first and second plates for securing a plurality of glass ball lenses therebetween. The plates are secured to one another and the entire apparatus is pressed against a polishing pad in order to flatten a portion of the surface of the lenses. The apparatus also serves to maintain the orientation of the rotationally symmetric objects, so that they may be easily operated upon by future processing steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel preformed base blocks that may be used with thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions. The preformed base block has a rear portion that is sized and adapted to fit the chuck of a lens processing machine and a front portion that has a textured front surface and preferably a negatively tapered peripheral edge. The front portion is adapted to mechanically retain the thermoplastic blocking composition to form a lens block against a lens blank.

Abstract: A jig for use in washing optical elements. The jig is arranged to receive and hold a plural number of optical elements, which are formed by polishing and cutting into predetermined unit lengths a plural number of glass rods adhesively fixed on a polishing tray, and then heating the polishing tray to kill adhesive power of an adhesive agent bonding the optical elements to the polishing tray. The jig is in the form of a pallet which is constituted by a base member and a cover member of similar grid-like forms, which are closable one on the other in an overlapped state and fixable to each other to form therebetween rows of nesting pockets for securely holding therein rows of optical elements in the same positional relations as on said polishing tray. The base and cover member of the pallet are provided with openings on the opposite sides of the nesting pockets to bring the respective optical elements into contact with a cleaning liquid.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved method, a lapping tool head and a lens polishing apparatus for carrying out the method, for polishing ophthalmic lenses. The apparatus has a lapping tool head, a flexible membrane covering a lapping portion of the tool head, and pump and nozzle for pumping abrasive slurry over the lapping tool head. The new method comprises the conventional step of imparting an oscillatory movement to the lapping tool head and contacting the lens surface with the lapping portion of the lapping tool head while an abrasive slurry is pumped over the lapping tool head. The improvement comprises the additional step of periodically undulating the membrane for imparting a wave in that membrane such that the abrasive slurry can flow between the membrane and the lens surface. The lapping slurry is efficiently moved over the entire surface of the lens for improving the quality of the lenses polished by this process.

Abstract: A tool for preparing an optical fiber end-face includes a station having a base with a fiber bender and a scribe for cleaving a fiber. The base may include a polishing surface and a well that serves as a fiber shard collector. A cleaver door may be attached to the base to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position covering the shard collector and may include a mount for releasably attaching a fiber handling tool or puck. The puck includes a body, a latch attached by a hinge to the body, and a face comprising a plate pivotally attached to an end of the body and having a fiber port extending through the plate. The body of the puck includes a nest for receiving a fiber holder for securing a fiber with an end of the fiber extending through the port of the face. The nest includes a reference stop and a means for urging the fiber holder against the reference stop when the latch is rotated to a closed position covering the body.