Abstract: A deposition system includes a system housing having a housing interior, a fixture transfer assembly having a generally sloped fixture transfer rail extending through the housing interior, a plurality of sequentially ordered deposition chambers connected by the fixture transfer rail, a controller interfacing with the processing chambers and at least one fixture carrier assembly carried by the fixture transfer rail and adapted to contain at least one substrate. The fixture carrier assembly travels along the fixture transfer rail under influence of gravity. A substrate fixture contains a substrate. The substrate fixture comprises a fixture frame. The fixture frame is defined by multiple circular members adjacently joined in a circular arrangement. Each circular member has a fixture frame opening sized to receive the substrate. Lens support arms may integrate into the circular members, extending in a curved disposition into the fixture frame opening to retain the substrate. A deposition method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic substrate conveyor and method of conveying ophthalmic substrates for vacuum deposition utilizes gravity and impulse action energy to convey an ophthalmic substrate to an adjacent vacuum deposition machine, for coating the ophthalmic substrate with an ophthalmic substance through physical vapor deposition. The conveyor provides a spring-loaded lens wheel that selectively retains the ophthalmic substrate during coating. The lens wheel rides a pair of inclined rails, urged by gravity, to a vacuum deposition machine that coats HEV absorbing material onto ophthalmic substrate. An escapement mechanism subassembly transfers impulse action energy to the lens wheel to regulate the speed and direction of the lens wheel across the inclined rails. A rotation servomechanism senses and rotates the lens wheel to the desired orientation during coating. A ring spreader actuator engages springs in the lens wheel to clamp and release the ophthalmic substrate.

Abstract: An end effector assembly and method for robot-enabled manipulation of round objects automates the gripping, rotationally manipulating, loading, and unloading of round objects, like an ophthalmic substrate, to a coating machine subassembly. A lens wheel carries spring-loaded retention pegs that grip and release the round object. Springs selectively generate tension on the retention pegs, causing retention pegs to articulate radially inward or outward, so as to press the round object to the lens wheel, or release the object. A retention peg actuator selectively engages the springs to generate tension and release tension from springs. A processor regulates articulation of the retention peg actuator. A sensor detects the position of the object, whereby at least one position of the round object triggers the sensor to transmit a signal commanding the retention peg actuator to articulate. A human-machine interface transmits command signals and displays positions of the lens wheel and retention pegs.

Abstract: A deposition system includes a system housing having a housing interior, a fixture transfer assembly having a generally sloped fixture transfer rail extending through the housing interior, a plurality of sequentially ordered deposition chambers connected by the fixture transfer rail, a controller interfacing with the processing chambers and at least one fixture carrier assembly carried by the fixture transfer rail and adapted to contain at least one substrate. The fixture carrier assembly travels along the fixture transfer rail under influence of gravity. A substrate fixture contains a substrate. The substrate fixture comprises a fixture frame. The fixture frame is defined by multiple circular members adjacently joined in a circular arrangement. Each circular member has a fixture frame opening sized to receive the substrate. Lens support arms may integrate into the circular members, extending in a curved disposition into the fixture frame opening to retain the substrate. A deposition method is also disclosed.