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: In a conformable lap and related method for finishing ophthalmic lens surfaces, a rigid base surface of the lap defines a nominal ophthalmic lens curvature corresponding to a predetermined range of curvatures. A work surface of the lap is defined by a thin, hard, polymeric material extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected ophthalmic lens surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected surface. A selectively conformable substance consisting of a mixture of thermoplastic and metallic particles forms a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface, and is selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms.

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: 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 said 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 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: In a conformable lap and related method for finishing ophthalmic lens surfaces, a rigid base surface of the lap defines a nominal ophthalmic lens curvature corresponding to a predetermined range of curvatures. A work surface of the lap is defined by a thin, hard, polymeric material extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected ophthalmic lens surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected surface. A selectively conformable substance consisting of a mixture of thermoplastic and metallic particles forms a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface, and is selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously machining a plurality of lens blanks to provide a lens surface on each blank corresponding to a selected lens prescription includes a tool support assembly and a lens blank assembly. The tool support assembly movably supports at least one tool. The lens blank support assembly includes a plurality of lens blank retainers for supporting a plurality of lens blanks. The tool support assembly and the lens support assembly move relative to each other such that the tool alternatingly engages each of the plurality of lens blanks for machining an individual lens prescription in a raster-like manner on each of the plurality of lens blanks.

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 said 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 quick change lap retaining device uses radially displaceable blades to engage a groove in the underside of a lap and thereby hold the lap in position. The device fails in the engaged position to prevent inadvertent movement of the lap. Removal of the lap occasioned by disengagement of the blades is preferentially by pneumatic drive but can also be manual.

Abstract: In a process and machine for coating a surface of an ophthalmic lens, the lens is manually loaded by the operator to a wash/dry station within an enclosure of the coating machine. Thereafter, the machine computer controls the entire process. The machine is closed to minimize the introduction of external contaminates into the machine. Positive pressure and filtration of air is initiated in the enclosure before washing the lens. The loaded lens is washed and dried at the wash/dry station. The dried lens is transferred to a coating station within the enclosure and coated. The coated lens is transferred to a curing oven within the enclosure and cured. The cured lens is then discharged from the curing oven and the machine for collection by the operator. The machine can simultaneously process three lenses, one in the wash/dry/coat section, one in the cure section and one at a pick-off station between the wash/dry/coat and cure sections of the machine.

Abstract: In an apparatus for coating a surface of at least one lens having pair of opposed major surfaces, al least one lens support is coupled to a frame and is rotatable relative thereto. A lens is releasably mounted to the lens support leaving one of the major lens surfaces exposed. A mounting plate is coupled to the frame and is positioned proximate to the lens support. A series of work stations are carried by the mounting plate for sequentially performing work operations on the exposed major surface of the lens. The lens support is indexable relative to the mounting plate to position the exposed lens surface adjacent to each of the work stations in response to commands issued from a controller.

Abstract: A system for enhancing lens preparation which allows for error compensation to provide nearly error-free lens fining and/or polishing. The system employs a flexure to allow three degrees of freedom for a lens being prepared. The system also employs a Hall effect circuit board to monitor movement of the flexure to account for error, provide feedback to a controller so that compensation for such error can be effected and so that proper force may be maintained. The flexure and the sensor feedback subsystem enable nearly error-free lens surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable lens support assembly retains and supports a lens in fixed registration during the manufacturing process. The lens support assembly includes a plurality of adjustable spring-loaded lens retainer pins that enable a plurality of lenses of various diameters to be maintained therein. The adjustable lens retainer pins, preferably three (3) pins, extend upward from a circular base having a tapered upper surface. A spacer supports the base above the lens support arm a predetermined distance to provide sufficient clearance to permit of the operation a mechanism to pivot simultaneously the lens retainer pins. A lens pad is centrally disposed on the base to support the lens. When the lens is placed in the lens support assembly, the concave surface of the lens engages the lens pad and the outer edges of the composite lens engage the adjustable lens retainer pins. Each lens retainer pin includes a lower pin portion and an upper pin portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making ophthalmic lenses by vacuum lamination wherein a front lens wafer (20) is laminated to a back lens wafer (22) with a layer of adhesive (24) disposed within the interface between the two wafers forming a composite lens (18). An upper flexible, transparent sheet (12) is located on the top side of the composite lens (18), a lower flexible, opaque or transparent sheet (14) is located on the bottom side of the composite lens, and an approximately air-tight enclosure (16) is formed between the sheets for receiving the composite lens. A vacuum pump (36) draws the upper and lower flexible sheets into engagement with the composite lens to press the wafers together. A UV lamp (38) transmits radiation through the upper flexible sheet (12) and into the adhesive layer to cure the adhesive and form the composite lens (18).

Abstract: A machine for cutting/grinding ophthalmic lenses has a lens spindle aligned on a vertical longitudinal axis and a tool spindle aligned on an angled axis in relation to the vertical axis. The lens blank is chucked on the upper end of the lens spindle and a tool is mounted on a lower end of the tool spindle. One motor rotates the lens spindle and the lens blank about the longitudinal axis and a second motor vertically reciprocates the lens spindle and the lens blank. A third motor rotates the tool spindle and the tool about the angled axis and a fourth motor linearly horizontally reciprocates the tool spindle and the tool. A microprocessor coordinates the rotation and reciprocation of the spindles to cause the tool to cut/grind the lens blank to a predetermined contour. The tool has a spherical grinding surface of diameter approximating but not greater than twice the radius of the steepest lens curvature to be cut/ground.

Abstract: A machine for fining/polishing ophthalmic lenses has a horizontal and vertical plates rigidly fixed in an inverted T. Eccentric shafts journalled 180 degrees out of phase on the horizontal plate orbit tools on one side of the vertical plate. A swing frame pivotally mounted on the other side of the vertical plate has a horizontal shaft parallel to the vertical plate. Shafts orthogonal to the horizontal shaft are journalled for see-saw motion about the horizontal shaft, for rotational motion about their own longitudinal axes and for sliding motion along the horizontal shaft. Block adapters on the orthogonal shafts hold lenses in vertical alignment above the tools. Separate linkages reciprocate the horizontal shaft in parallel relationship to the vertical plate and the orthogonal shafts in orthogonal relationship to the vertical plate. The shaft linkages have a timing ratio such that the block adapters travel in laterally reciprocating horizontal figure eight patterns.

Abstract: A calibration gauge for use in calibrating a lens cutting/grinding machine has a disk with a concentric post on one of its faces for chucking the disk to a lens spindle. A target delineated on the other face of the disk consists of bands aligned on the X and Y axes and intersecting at the center of the disk. The width of the bands is not greater than the acceptable error in positioning of the X and Y axes. The calibrating operator sets a limit of Z-axis motion of the lens spindle corresponding to a selected depth of cutting/grinding a lens. The gauge is chucked to the lens spindle. The X-axis position of the tool is aligned by computer with the Z-axis. Rotation of the tool spindle is initiated and the lens spindle is raised to plunge cut/grind the gauge. The lens spindle is lowered and rotation of the tool spindle is terminated. The gauge is dechucked and the depth of the cut/grind is measured. The difference between the measured and selected depths is determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for making ophthalmic lenses by vacuum lamination wherein a front lens wafer (20) is laminated to a back lens wafer (22) with a layer of adhesive (24) disposed within the interface between the two wafers forming a composite lens (18). An upper flexible, transparent sheet (12) is located on the top side of the composite lens (18), a lower flexible, opaque or transparent sheet (14) is located on the bottom side of the composite lens, and an approximately air-tight enclosure (16) is formed between the sheets for receiving the composite lens. A vacuum pump (36) draws the upper and lower flexible sheets into engagement with the composite lens to press the wafers together. A UV lamp (38) transmits radiation through the upper flexible sheet (12) and into the adhesive layer to cure the adhesive and form the composite lens (18).

Abstract: In an apparatus for performing work operations on a surface of one or more lenses, a frame and a mounting bracket adapted to releasably support at least one lens blank are provided. At least three pairs of articulated supports are also included with a first end of each of the supports being bendably coupled at a first end to a mounting bracket adjacent to the other articulated support in the pair. The articulated supports are each coupled at a second end to a point on the frame with the supports in each of the pairs diverging away from each other between the mounting block and the frame. A drive is associated with each of the articulated supports and moves each support, and thereby the mounting, individually between a raised and a lowered position in response to commands issued from a controller having data corresponding to a particular lens prescription stored therein.