Abstract: A device is disclosed for the surface machining of, among other things, plastic spectacle lenses, which has a work spindle, by means of which the spectacle lens can be driven with a controlled angle of rotation about an axis of work rotation, and a tool spindle, by means of which a tool can be driven to rotate about an axis of tool rotation, work and tool spindle being movable relative to one another with their positions controlled in two axes running at right angles. For rotational machining of the surface of the spectacle lens to be machined, the tool can also be swiveled by means of the tool spindle with a controlled angle of rotation about the axis of tool rotation, so that a rotational cutting edge provided on the tool can be brought into a defined rotational machining engagement with the surface of the spectacle lens to be machined as a function of the angle of rotation of the spectacle lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading and unloading optical workpieces, for an optical machine. The device comprises a loading arm (24) which is pivotally driven about an axis (A) and is pivoted in controlled movement sequences on the optical machine between a workpiece magazine (26, 28) and the operating position. The outer end of the loading arm is provided with a device (30) for receiving and placing workpieces. According to the invention, the swivelling axis of the loading arm is the central axis of a spindle (40) which rotates in both directions of rotation (D+, X−) and which can be driven linearly in a lifting motion in both axial directions (X+, X−) by means of drive elements, as well as guided in guide elements in a rotating and displacing manner. The loading arm (24) is fixed to the spindle.

Abstract: A process for edge-machining an optical (spectacle) lens including preliminary machining of an edge of the lens rotatable in controlled manner about a rotational axis of a workpiece by a first edge-machining tool adjustable radially relative to the rotational axis of the workpiece, whereby the lens is given a circumferential contour which corresponds to the circumferential contour of a lens holder apart from a slight degree of oversizing, contactless measurement of the preliminarily machined lens edge, and finish-machining of the lens edge, taking account of the detected edge data of the preliminarily machined lens, by means of a second edge-machining tool adjustable radially relative to the rotational axis of the workpiece, whereby the lens is provided with a circumferential contour substantially complementary to the circumferential contour of the lens holder.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for edge-machining an optical lens, clampable between two aligned holding shafts rotatable about the rotational axis of a workpiece, having a Z slide, which is guided longitudinally displaceably on a base frame in a Z direction parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece, and an X slide bearing a tool post with an edge-machining tool, which is guided longitudinally displaceably on the Z slide in an X direction perpendicular to the Z direction in such a way that the edge-machining tool may be brought into machining engagement with the optical lens. For industrial use, the base frame is of substantially O-shaped construction and surrounds the Z slide, wherein the Z slide is likewise of substantially O-shaped construction and surrounds the X slide.

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 device is disclosed for the surface machining of, among other things, plastic spectacle lenses, which has a work spindle, by means of which the spectacle lens can be driven with a controlled angle of rotation about an axis of work rotation, and a tool spindle, by means of which a tool can be driven to rotate about an axis of tool rotation, work and tool spindle being movable relative to one another with their positions controlled in two axes running at right angles. For rotational machining of the surface of the spectacle lens to be machined, the tool can also be swiveled by means of the tool spindle with a controlled angle of rotation about the axis of tool rotation, so that a rotational cutting edge provided on the tool can be brought into a defined rotational machining engagement with the surface of the spectacle lens to be machined as a function of the angle of rotation of the spectacle lens.

Abstract: A process for edge-machining an optical (spectacle) lens including preliminary machining of an edge of the lens rotatable in controlled manner about a rotational axis of a workpiece by a first edge-machining tool adjustable radially relative to the rotational axis of the workpiece, whereby the lens is given a circumferential contour which corresponds to the circumferential contour of a lens holder apart from a slight degree of oversizing, contactless measurement of the preliminarily machined lens edge, and finish-machining of the lens edge, taking account of the detected edge data of the preliminarily machined lens, by means of a second edge-machining tool adjustable radially relative to the rotational axis of the workpiece, whereby the lens is provided with a circumferential contour substantially complementary to the circumferential contour of the lens holder.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for edge-machining an optical lens, clampable between two aligned holding shafts rotatable about the rotational axis of a workpiece, having a Z slide, which is guided longitudinally displaceably on a base frame in a Z direction parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece, and an X slide bearing a tool post with an edge-machining tool, which is guided longitudinally displaceably on the Z slide in an X direction perpendicular to the Z direction in such a way that the edge-machining tool may be brought into machining engagement with the optical lens. For industrial use, the base frame is of substantially O-shaped construction and surrounds the Z slide, wherein the Z slide is likewise of substantially O-shaped construction and surrounds the X slide.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for securing and clamping optical lenses requiring edge-machining, in particular spectacle lenses, which exhibits improved handling and which is optimised from the point of view of virtually backlash-free rotary drive of the optical lens. Elements located between two holding shafts, in particular a clamping assembly, a securing member with securing member adapter and an adhesive connection between securing member and optical lens are specially designed for this purpose.

Abstract: A very versatile device is proposed for high-precision machining of optical workpieces, in particular optical lenses, which comprises a horizontally displaceable gantry with at least one vertically displaceable tool spindle and a yoke with workpiece holding means mounted so as to be rotatable about a swivel axis by means of journals fitted on both sides. For swivelling of the yoke without gearing and therefore without backlash, a torque motor is provided concentrically to the swivel axis, which motor is directly connected actively with one of the journals.

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 method for creation of a surface from a rough blank for spectacles is which is suitable for both brittle-hard materials and for plastics uses makes use of a disk-shaped, rotation-symmetrical tool of relatively large diameter, by means of which the material to be taken off the rough blank is removed with high grinding or milling efficiency in at least two work steps—a plunge-cut step and a shaping step with material removed along a spiral path. The outcome of the last work step is a machining path traveling in a spiral from the outside to the inside with low residual apex height and relatively large apex spacing. The resulting surface needs only slight fine-grinding and polishing aftertreatment. As an option, both a rim machining step adapted to the form of the eyeglass frame and a work step faceting the rim of the eyeglasses can be integrated into the method. Furthermore, tools are proposed for carrying out the grinding and milling process.

Abstract: A method for creation of a surface from a rough blank for spectacles is which is suitable for both brittle-hard materials and for plastics uses makes use of a disk-shaped, rotation-symmetrical tool of relatively large diameter, by means of which the material to be taken off the rough blank is removed with high grinding or milling efficiency in at least two work steps--a plunge-cut step and a shaping step with material removed along a spiral path. The outcome of the last work step is a machining path traveling in a spiral from the outside to the inside with low residual apex height and relatively large apex spacing. The resulting surface needs only slight fine-grinding and polishing aftertreatment. As an option, both a rim machining step adapted to the form of the eyeglass frame and a work step faceting the rim of the eyeglasses can be integrated into the method. Furthermore, tools are proposed for carrying out the grinding and milling process.

Abstract: A tool for the precision processing of the optical surfaces of lenses has an elastic membrane (10), connected to a rigid holder (20), which incorporates a processing segment (11) and a bellows-type segment (12). Together, the membrane (10) and the holder (20) delimit a cavity (15), which is filled with a material (16) that becomes ductile under specific conditions, and which can be induced, at will, to form a flexible or rigid supporting layer for the membrane (10). When the material (16) is in its ductile state and the processing segment (11) contacts the optical surface, the bellows-type segment (12) exerts forces on the ductile material (16) which cause it to press the processing segment (11) against the optical surface, so that the tool retains its shape after the ductile material (16) has become rigid. As this tool can be used to shape any type of optical surface, it is particularly well-suited for the processing of prescription lens eyewear.