Patents by Inventor Holger Schäfer

Holger Schäfer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060260448
    Abstract: A method for machining particularly spectacle lenses by means of a machine which comprises at least one cutting unit and at least one turning unit in a common working space, wherein at least two spectacle lenses are machined at the same time in the working space, one of said spectacle lenses being cut while the other is turned. The machine frames of the cutting unit and of the turning unit are essentially decoupled from one another in terms of vibration and/or at least two machining units of the machine comprise workpiece spindle units for generating a transverse movement of the spectacle lens to be machined with respect to the respective tool, the workpiece spindle units being arranged essentially perpendicular to one another. As a result, it is possible for spectacle lenses to be machined in an extremely short time with high machining performance and with high surface precision and quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Udo Fiedler, Manfred Hanisch, Karl-Heinz Tross, Steffen Wallendorf, Holger Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20060248697
    Abstract: A lathe for machining optical workpieces, in particular spectacle lenses, comprises a fast tool arrangement and a workpiece spindle arrangement. A machine frame is cast monolithically from polymer concrete and on and in which all the functional surfaces, functional spaces and other cutouts are formed to their exact dimensions during the casting process. The machine frame upper part cast in one piece simultaneously covers the fast tool arrangement and the workpiece spindle arrangement and thus the machine bed in the manner of a covering hood. The machine frame is of compact dimensions, has a very rigid oscillation-damping machine bed and, in comparison with the rapidly moving elements of the fast tool arrangement, has a very large mass with a high center of gravity, which prevents the transmission of disruptive oscillations from the fast tool movement to the machine bed and thus to the workpiece spindle arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Holger Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6712671
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Loh Optikmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Wallendorf, Holger Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6641466
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Optikmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Wallendorf, Holger Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6544102
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Loh Optikmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Erhard Schäfer, Holger Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6394892
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Lo Optikmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Hanisch, Joachim Diehl, Holger Schäfer