Abstract: A method of removing an ophthalmic lens from a lens mold portion is provided and includes reciprocally displacing a region of the mold portion and thereby causing an edge portion of the ophthalmic lenses to become detached from the mold portion. Related apparatus, methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, delensing stations, and manufacturing times are provided.

Abstract: A tray (20) for holding contact lens mold assemblies (70) during thermal curing of a contact lens precursor material in an oven (210) to form contact lenses. The tray (20) comprises a plurality of plates (60) and a frame (25) supporting the plates (60). The frame (25) is configured to be stacked vertically with a plurality of identical frames to form a tray stack (10). Each plate (60) is a carbon-fiber reinforced polymer plate and comprises a plurality of support structures (110) each arranged to support one contact lens mold assembly (70) during curing and a plurality of channels (90, 100) connecting the support structures (110), to allow gases to flow between them in the tray stack (10) during curing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for manufacturing contact lenses by forming a contact lens mold half, and removing the mold half. The mold half can then be combined with a complementary mold half and used to cast-mold a contact lens. The apparatus includes first and second plates each carrying tool halves. The plates reciprocate between an open, spaced apart configuration, and a closed configuration in which they hold complementary tool halves in contact with one another. When the plates are opened after forming a mold half, a gripper plate removes the mold half from the first plate or the second plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for exchanging tools and/or tool assemblies used to form different types of molds for in injection-molding machines, are described. The exchange of tools and/or tool assemblies is made using a robot. Contact lens mold halves and assemblies for molding contact lenses of different powers or types can be made with a single injection-molding apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by bringing together a pair of mold halves to form a closed mold assembly, are described. The method includes measuring a force applied to bring the mold halves together. The apparatus includes at least one force sensor in operative communication with a single pair of mold halves, and a controller for controlling a velocity of movement of a mold half and for determining when a measured force or average measured force is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force.

Abstract: A tray (20) for holding contact lens mold assemblies (70) during thermal curing of a contact lens precursor material in an oven 210 to form contact lenses. The tray (20) comprises a plurality of plates (60) and a frame (25) supporting the plates (60). The frame (25) is configured to be stacked vertically with a plurality of identical frames to form a tray stack (10). Each plate (60) is a carbon-fiber reinforced polymer plate and comprises a plurality of support structures (110) each arranged to support one contact lens mold assembly (70) during curing and a plurality of channels (90, 100) connecting the support structures (110), to allow gases to flow between them in the tray stack (10) during curing.

Abstract: A contact lens mold part and a contact lens mold assembly (1) are provided. The contact lens mold assembly includes a first mold part (2) and a second mold part (3) assembled together. Each mold part has a lens-forming surface with a circumferential edge, a stop surface extending from the circumferential edge, an intermediate region extending from the stop surface, and an alignment surface extending from the intermediate region. The mold parts can be made to fit together with an interference fit. A method of making a contact lens using the contact lens mold assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing contact lenses, including demolding contact lens mold assemblies, are described. The apparatus can include a curved wedge separator having an increasing thickness circumferentially from a leading end towards a trailing end, and an increasing radial thickness from an outer circumferential edge towards a central axis. The apparatus can also include a driver. The method can include rotating the separator around a concentric central axis and directing the separator to wedge the separator between or against one or more different mold portions of a mold assembly.

Abstract: A contact lens mold part and a contact lens mold assembly (1) are provided. The contact lens mold assembly includes a first mold part (2) and a second mold part (3) assembled together. Each mold part has a lens-forming surface with a circumferential edge, a stop surface extending from the circumferential edge, an intermediate region extending from the stop surface, and an alignment surface extending from the intermediate region. The mold parts can be made to fit together with an interference fit. A method of making a contact lens using the contact lens mold assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for exchanging tools and/or tool assemblies used to form different types of molds for in injection-molding machines, are described. The exchange of tools and/or tool assemblies is made using a robot. Contact lens mold halves and assemblies for molding contact lenses of different powers or types can be made with a single injection-molding apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by bringing together a pair of mold halves to form a closed mold assembly, are described. The method includes measuring a force applied to bring the mold halves together.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for manufacturing contact lenses by forming a contact lens mold half, and removing the mold half. The mold half can then be combined with a complementary mold half and used to cast-mold a contact lens. The apparatus includes first and second plates each carrying tool halves. The plates reciprocate between an open, spaced apart configuration, and a closed configuration in which they hold complementary tool halves in contact with one another. When the plates are opened after forming a mold half, a gripper plate removes the mold half from the first plate or the second plate.

Abstract: A method of removing an ophthalmic lens from a lens mold portion is provided and includes reciprocally displacing a region of the mold portion and thereby causing an edge portion of the ophthalmic lenses to become detached from the mold portion. Related apparatus, methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, delensing stations, and manufacturing times are provided.