Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially nullifying vibration and deflection in a single point lens turning lathe having a rapidly reciprocating lens cutting tool and shuttle assembly. The apparatus includes three or more tool shuttles of similar mass mounted for reciprocating movement along respective generally parallel shuttle paths. The shuttles are reciprocally moveable by respective actuators along their respective shuttle paths. The shuttle and tool assemblies are moved by their respective actuators in opposite directions at a rate which causes forces generated by shuttle and tool assemblies moving in one direction to cancel forces arising from the shuttle and tool assembly movement in the opposite direction. Should an odd number of shuttle and tool assemblies be used, the amount of force generated by the mass moving in one direction may be compensated by having a different rate of movement, and hence a different stroke length from the mass moving in the opposite direction.

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 method for generating a virtual entity of an ophthalmic lens blank in a computer environment and for using this entity to monitor and control a lens generation process. The method comprises the steps of analyzing an image of a lens blank, measuring a first surface of a lens blank, probing a second surface, and locating both surfaces and the contour of the lens blank in a spatial coordinate system. These data are used to generate a virtual entity that is a precise representation of the lens blank. The virtual entity is used throughout the lens generation process for blocking the lens, for calculating and selecting lens orientation, skewing, prism, tool angles and ideal tool paths that produce best lens quality.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base having orthogonal horizontal longitudinal axis, horizontal transversal axis and vertical axis, and a tool spindle having a motor and a lens surfacing tool mounted on a rotatable arbour of the motor. The apparatus also comprises a lens holder having a chuck for retaining an ophthalmic lens with a perimeter thereof defining a plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first linear slide is affixed to the base and has a first movable support and a first actuator for moving the first movable support along the longitudinal axis. A second linear slide is also affixed to the base and has a second movable support supporting the lens holder and a second actuator for moving the second movable support and the lens holder along the transversal axis. A rotary table is affixed to the first movable support and supports the tool spindle. The rotary table has a third actuator for rotating the rotary table about the vertical axis.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens blocker for blocking a lens blank onto a support block without touching the block. The lens blocker has a lens blank imaging station for displaying a target image of a prescribed lens and a planar coordinate system associated with this target image. The imaging station has a stand for supporting the lens blank for orienting the lens blank according to references in the planar coordinate system. There is also provided a probing station for measuring a position and curvature of a surface of the lens blank and a lens/block moulding station having a cavity for receiving the support block in a known position and a bonding material dispenser for bonding the lens blank to the support block. The lens blocker further has a lens blank manipulator for moving the lens blank from the imaging station to the probing station and from the probing station to the lens/block moulding station.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens generating apparatus having a tool spindle comprising a motor, a lens surfacing tool and a coupling mounted between the motor and the lens surfacing tool for retaining the lens surfacing tool to the arbor of the motor. The apparatus of the present invention also comprises a first actuated table supporting the tool spindle in a movable manner along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A massive base is mounted beneath the first actuated table for supporting the table and for dampening radial vibrations of the tool spindle. The apparatus further comprises a lens holder for holding an ophthalmic lens in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. A massive upright block is mounted on one end of the massive base behind the structural support supporting the lens holder, for dampening axial vibrations of the tool spindle and of the lens holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a workpiece includes a rotatable cutting tool, a rotatable spindle for rotating the cutting tool, and a quick-connect and disconnect kinematic coupler for releasably coupling together the rotatable cutting tool and the rotatable spindle. The kinematic coupler includes a plurality of projections which cooperate with and enter a corresponding number of grooves to precisely place the cutting tool relative to the spindle and prevent relative movement between the cutting tool and the spindle.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame holder is provided in the form of a variable contour vice. The vice incorporates a series of parallel slideable jaw elements in two banks that may be locked in position by a single clamping means.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame holder is provided in the form of a variable contour vice. The vice incorporates a series of parallel slideable jaw elements in two banks that may be locked in position by a single wedge clamp which forces a pair of thrust elements outward to frictionally lock the two banks of jaw elements.