Abstract: A tool for preparing an optical fiber end-face includes a station having a base with a fiber bender and a scribe for cleaving a fiber. The base may include a polishing surface and a well that serves as a fiber shard collector. A cleaver door may be attached to the base to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position covering the shard collector and may include a mount for releasably attaching a fiber handling tool or puck. The puck includes a body, a latch attached by a hinge to the body, and a face comprising a plate pivotally attached to an end of the body and having a fiber port extending through the plate. The body of the puck includes a nest for receiving a fiber holder for securing a fiber with an end of the fiber extending through the port of the face. The nest includes a reference stop and a means for urging the fiber holder against the reference stop when the latch is rotated to a closed position covering the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polishing apparatus for optical fiber end surface making it possible to freely adjust the contact pressure between a polishing plane and the distal end face of a ferrule and capable of preventing a defective product from being produced under polishing. A control circuit drives a vertically driving mechanism to allow a ferrule holding plate to move from a preparation state to a ferrule polishing starting state and by compressing a spring it then allows the ferrule holding plate to lower further beyond the starting state to complete the polishing.

Abstract: A substrate holder assembly for forming a substantially uniformly polished substrate surface during chemical-mechanical polishing is described. The substrate holder assembly includes a carrier film having: (A) a porous layer with (i) a first surface with an outwardly protruding dome shaped region that applies pressure on at least a portion of the substrate surface during chemical-mechanical polishing and a location of the protruding dome shape is aligned with a location of an area of substrate surface that is likely to be underpolished, (ii) a second surface facing a contact surface of a backing plate; and (B) a pressure sensitive adhesive backing layer for affixing the carrier film to the contact surface of the backing plate under sufficient pressure.

Abstract: The apparatus has: a rocking support and an upper clamping member for blocking the lens disc; a first transparent screen provided with reference lines; an image pick-up which obtains images of the lines and images of the disc; an optical system located between the means and the pick-up; an electronic circuitry for processing the images and the modifications in the reference lines caused by inserting the disc between the lines and the pick-up, building a synthetic image; a digital reader for frame forms, in communication with the circuitry; and a second screen for displaying a synthetic image superimposed on the frame data.

Abstract: An axis block assembly is attached to a block holder arm of a lapping machine. The axis block assembly cooperates with a lens block to hold a lens blank in contact with a lap tool used for finishing a surface of the lens blank. The block holder arm moves the axis block assembly between a raised loading position spaced above the lap tool for loading the lens block and lens blank in the lapping machine, and lowered operative position for locating the axis block assembly proximate the lap tool during operation of the lapping machine. The axis block assembly includes a mounting block for being attached to an end of the block holder arm. An axis block is carried by the mounting block. The axis block has a magnetic surface adapted for engaging a metal base surface of the lens block for holding the lens block against the axis block as the axis block assembly moves from the raised loading position to the lowered operative position proximate the lap tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for chemically-and-mechanically polishing a semiconductor wafer surface is disclosed. It includes the steps of: (a) providing a mechanical polishing pad; (b) placing a pressure-sensitive film on top of a wafer surface to be polished by the mechanical polishing pad, the pressure-sensitive film contains materials that will show pressure-dependent colors when subject to an external pressure; (c) commencing a chemically-and-mechanically polishing process so that the mechanical polishing pad exerts a pressure on the pressure-sensitive film; (d) scanning the pressure-dependent color pattern on the pressure-sensitive film; (e) converting the pressure-dependent color pattern into a pressure distribution; and (f) adjusting the mechanical polishing pad, or a leveling of the wafer mounting, or both, according to the pressure distribution obtained in step (e).

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: A holder for precision working of optical lenses comprises a cylindrical base (4) designed as a dressing tool, a diaphragm holder (5) fastened thereto, an elastic diaphragm (6) attached air-tight thereto as well as a centric duct (22, 23) crossing the base (4) and the diaphragm holder (5) axially. The dressing tool (4) is preferably a cup-shaped tool to which a lens holder formed as a ring element (15) can be fastened in a capping manner. The lens holder (15) is provided with banking and/or supporting surfaces (21) as well as engaging elements (17) for holding a lens (19) to be worked; moreover, it may be provided with additional dressing elements (18). The dressing tool (4) and the lens holder (15) are combined to a combined tool K which can be fastened to a common rotating machine spindle (1).

Abstract: This invention consists of a process to create and maintain a perfect Figure 8 polishing pattern for polishing fiber optic connector end faces and the apparatus used to perform this process simultaneously on a multiplicity of fiber optic connectors, and similarly configured industrial components.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, for polishing a thin plate. The method comprises the steps of: rotating a holding plate on one surface of which the thin plate is held to adhere; and bringing the thin plate held on the rotating holding plate into contact with a polishing pad mounted on a surface of a rotating turn table, to polish the thin plate. The step of polishing the one surface of the holding plate is carried out by using the polishing pad for polishing the thin plate before the thin plate is held to adhere on the one surface of the holding plate.

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 apparatus for polishing a semiconductor wafer is provided which includes a wafer carrier having on its lower surface a non-uniform surface structure means to vary the force against a wafer during a polishing operation so that the polishing is enhanced and imparts a planar surface across the polished wafer. Preferred non-uniform surface structure means include use of a wafer carrier having on its lower surface a backing film having a first central portion having a predetermined compressibility and a second peripheral portion having a different compressibility than the first portion. Another non-uniform surface structure means to vary the force against the wafer comprises a wafer carrier having on its lower surface a raised circumferential region around the periphery of the carrier.

Abstract: A device for preparing an optical fiber for interconnection includes means for grasping the optical fiber at a first location along the optical fiber, means for scribing and breaking the optical fiber a first select distance from the first location, the means for scribing and breaking including guides for supporting and sliding the means for grasping along the guides in fixed relationship to the means for scribing and breaking, and means for polishing the optical fiber as broken, the means for polishing being connected to the means for breaking. The device also includes a polishing surface fixedly connected to the means for grasping. The polishing surface supports the means for grasping at a second select distance from the first location, the second select distance being shorter than the first select distance. The optical fiber is linearly moveable with respect to the polishing surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens block and lens generating machine compression sleeve chuck are provided such that the block is of diameter suitable for the lens edging step of the lens generating process. The lens generating chuck consists of a plurality of concentric sleeves mounted on a hub of the spindle shaft and having lengthwise slots permitting compression of the sleeve onto the hub and the block. The sleeves are biased to telescope toward the lens so as to abut the front surface of the lens in a concentric pattern extending outwardly from the outer diameter of the block to support the front surface of the lens against the forces applied to the rear face of the lens during the cutting process. Thus, the combination of the block and the chuck is also suitable for the lens generating, fining and polishing steps of the lens generating process. Consequently, after polishing, the block is left on the lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions that have many advantages over traditional metal alloy materials. Preferred compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials. In one embodiment, the composition is used to fill the cavity between a preformed lens block and a lens. In another embodiment the composition is used to form a lens block. Methods of holding a lens blank are taught. Tapes that provide a receptive surface against which the composition may be adhered are disclosed.

Abstract: An air pressurized chuck has a spindle journalled in a housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis. One means is mounted in a penultimate portion of the spindle and rotatable therewith for longitudinally reciprocating along the axis in one direction in response to the bias of a coil spring disposed concentrically about the axis between the spindle and the reciprocating means and in an opposite direction in response to a pneumatic force selectively applied to the reciprocating means in excess of the bias. Another means is mounted in an ultimate portion of the spindle and rotatable therewith for concentrically reciprocating gripping portions thereof in relation to the longitudinal axis in an outward direction in response to movement of the longitudinal reciprocating means in the one direction and in an inward direction in response to movement of the longitudinal reciprocating means in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A tooling apparatus and method for machining a blank having a first surface portion with a first spin center and a second surface portion with a second spin center offset from the first spin center. The improved tooling apparatus includes a turning fixture connectable to a rotatable spindle in one of a first position and a second position. The first spin center of the blank aligns with the axis of rotation of the spindle when the turning fixture is in its first position and the second spin center of the blank aligns with the axis of rotation when the turning fixture is in its second position. In the preferred embodiment, the rotatable spindle includes a dowel cooperative with first and second bores formed in the turning fixture to position the turning fixture relative to the spindle. The first and second bores are separated a distance equal to the distance between the first spin center and the second spin center of the blank.

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.

Abstract: A tool for polishing/fining an ophthalmic lens has a housing with an interior open at planar ends thereof. A cluster of rods is longitudinally aligned in sliding abutment within the housing, each rod of the cluster extending from one planar end of the housing to the other. One resiliently elastic diaphragm extends across one planar end and another resiliently elastic diaphragm extends across the other planar end. A cap has a rim which fixes the exterior perimeter of the first diaphragm against the top of the housing. The cap defines a pneumatic chamber longitudinally aligned between the exterior surface of the first diaphragm and the interior wall of the cap. A passage through the cap wall admits air under pressure into the chamber. A ring fixes the exterior perimeter of the other diaphragm against the bottom of the housing. Screws secure the cap and ring to the housing with the diaphragms therebetween.

Abstract: A device for processing ophthalmic lenses, which has at least one processing station for processing an edge and/or a surface of the ophthalmic lens and a multiaxial positioning unit, which has a gripping unit, which grips the ophthalmic lens and inserts it into a respective processing station and removes it therefrom. The gripping unit is provided with a plurality of vacuum grippers which are controlled by a control unit for applying a vacuum.

Abstract: A block for coupling an ophthalmic lens to at least two machine chucks is molded, preferably using adhesive material in a liquid or gel state, as a unitary member of diameter less than a diameter of the lens with concentric inner and outer portions separated by a narrow intermediate portion. The inner, outer and intermediate portions have a front face molded to conform to a face of the lens. The outer portion has a rear face molded to conform to a first chuck and the inner portion has a rear face molded to conform to a second chuck. The intermediate portion is thinner than the inner and outer portions so that the outer portion is separable from the unitary member and the lens by lifting the outer portion away from the lens and tearing the member along the intermediate portion. Preferably, the outer portion rear face has means such as a tab or a pair of diametrically aligned tabs on its outer edge for facilitating lifting of the outer portion from the lens.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer has a reduced height compared with conventional polishing apparatuses. The height reduction is achieved by disposing a drive motor for rotating a top ring below a turntable, and by making a swing shaft for loading/unloading of the workpiece hollow to accommodate a rotating shaft for transmitting rotation from the motor to the top ring.

Abstract: A holding device for cutting an ophthalmic lens includes a holding member which has a spherical sliding surface. A support member is provided with a spherical receiving surface which slidably supports the spherical sliding surface of the holding member. In addition, a fixing assembly is provided for adjustably positioning the lens holding member with respect to the support member. The fixing assembly includes a guide member which is rotatable about a support center axis, with the guide member including an eccentric guide hole, such that pins disposed between the guide hole and an extension of the lens holding member move (or adjust the position of) the lens holding member in response to rotation of the guide member. Rotation of the guide member thus results in sliding movement of the lens holding member with respect to the support member to thereby position the holding member with respect to the support member.

Abstract: A tool for fining/polishing an opthalmic lens has a spindle and a pliant casing containing a conformable filler connected to the spindle for rotation therewith. A pliant pad adhered to the casing has a plurality of slots extending from its perimeter toward its center defining a plurality of fingers which are contoured to the surface of the lens by the filler.Preferably, the lens is rotated about a vertical fixed axis substantially transverse to the lens and the tool is rotated about a fixed axis intersecting the lens and substantially normal to a surface of the lens to be fined/polished with the tool disposed above the lens. The axis of the horizontal displacement of the tool can be selectively varied in relation to the lens axis. The angular disposition of the tool axis in relation to the lens axis can be selectively varied.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens block and lens generating machine compression sleeve chuck are provided such that the block is of diameter suitable for the lens edging step of the lens generating process. The lens generating chuck consists of a plurality of concentric sleeves mounted on a hub of the spindle shaft and having lengthwise slots permitting compression of the sleeve onto the hub and the block. The sleeves are biased to telescope toward the lens so as to abut the front surface of the lens in a concentric pattern extending outwardly from the outer diameter of the block to support the front surface of the lens against the forces applied to the rear face of the lens during the cutting process. Thus, the combination of the block and the chuck is also suitable for the lens generating, fining and polishing steps of the lens generating process. Consequently, after polishing, the block is left on the lens.

Abstract: An adhesive blocking system, for generating and for fining and polishing eyeglass lenses, utilizes a collar which slides over and engages a lens block, which lens block is secured to a lens blank by a relatively thick adhesive pad, to uniformly transfer pressure from the cylinder machine to the lens blank without deforming the adhesive pad, which deformation adversely affects the optics. In this manner, a lens blank is blocked only once for both generating and fining and polishing. In addition, the environmental risks and heating effects of current solder blocking systems are avoided.

Abstract: A machine for grinding opthalmic glasses including a carriage, a clamping shaft carried by the carriage and composed of two shaft parts for clamping therebetween an opthalmic glass blank, and a clamp cooperative with at least one of the shaft parts for exerting an axial force thereon. The clamp includes a motor-speed reducer unit having a motor, transmission elements for transmitting the driving force of the motor to at least one of the shaft parts, a housing enclosing the motor and the transmission elements and mounted relative to the carriage to pivot about a pivot axis, a reaction spring connecting the housing to the carriage, and a control unit associated with the motor and with the spring for varying the driving force of the motor as a function of the variation in the length of the spring.

Abstract: A lens blocking system in which a button is bonded to a lens surface. The button includes a capsule (2) of flowable substance with a flexible portion (3) that is brought into contact with and bonded to the lens surface. The flowable substance allows the flexible portion to conform to the shape of the lens surface, subsequent to which flow is then inhibited. The flowable substance may be a substance that is molten and then subsequently cooled to solidifying temperature after the button has been bonded to the lens.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a holder is provided for an eyeglass frame having a pair of lens rims spaced apart by a bridge. A pair of supports are fixed in spaced apart relationship on a base plate and a cradle is journalled between the supports to rock beneath an axis spaced from and parallel to the base plate. A pair of jaws transversely mounted on the cradle in relation to the axis is biased toward closing and has a mouth accessible from above the axis. One or both of the jaws inwardly tapered from the mouth to a narrow passage and outwardly tapered from the narrow passage to a throat. The throat has inwardly extending seats. Thus, when a frame is inserted transversely into the mouth toward the throat with its upper rims against one of the jaws and its lower rims against the other of the jaws, the jaws open against bias to pass the frame through the narrow passage and then close under bias to secure the frame in the throat and on the seats.

Abstract: A variable pitch lapping block for use in polishing a range of prescription lenses having different radii of curvatures is obtained by the use of an element made of rubber or the like, which is associated with a pressurized chamber, wherein the element exhibits a range of curvatures depending upon the variation of the pressure in the chamber.