Abstract: Disclosed are systems and processes for generating a finished or semi-finished lens, such as a spectacle lens, from a lens blank that includes an intermediate functional layer. Some embodiments of the process involve locating the functional layer and positioning the lens blank according to the location of the functional layer. The location of the functional layer can be ascertained by measuring the thickness of one or more layers of the lens blank. The lens blank can be surfaced on one or both sides to form a finished or semi-finished lens. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described is a variable reference blocking apparatus for blocking an optical article (5). The apparatus comprises an adjustable ring unit (11) having a plurality of concentric members (19,19c,19i) positioned about a central axis. Each concentric member (19,19c,19i) generally comprises a lip region (17) on its upper end that is capable of receiving at least a portion of a front face of the optical article (5). The apparatus further comprises a moveable base (13) in which its upper portion is coupled with a removable insert (7). The removable insert (7) is generally positioned to be centered about the front face of the optical article (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable focus lens comprising an elastically deformable optical element (7) and a circumferential mechanism (10, 1, 5, 2, 3, 8, 21) to transfer a rotational movement to an axial movement, wherein by using a ball bearing system (9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17) the mechanism is optimized in a manner to reduce mechanical friction, friction variation and to improve force-direction dependent positioning insensitivity.

Abstract: A blocking unit for a block piece for a spectacle lens comprising a block piece reception body with a reception surface adapted to receive a block piece with a spectacle lens to be blocked and a bottom surface opposite the working surface, and a plurality of light sources fixedly mounted to the block piece reception body. A process of curing a lens on a block piece. The process comprises the steps of defining, in a controller, a pattern of illumination, and sequentially turning on and off the light sources from a plurality of first light sources and optional second light sources based on the determined pattern, for curing a material between the lens and the block piece.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical lens, includes the steps of providing a blank (1) which includes an upper surface and a lower surface (33) for forming first and second lens surfaces (2), an edge surface (4) forming a first mechanical positioning reference point and a ramp portion (5) provided between the edge surface and the upper surface, which forms a second positioning reference point; providing a positioning ring (10) including a cavity defining an inner contour (20) concentric with the edge surface which forms a first complementary control reference point and a shoulder (21) forming a second complementary control reference point; fitting the blank into the cavity, the edge surface being in contact with the inner contour and the ramp portion being in contact with the shoulder; and locking the blank in position on a locking and supporting pin, the ring then being positioned there between.

Abstract: A tunneler device is provided which includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, a connecting device including a body supported on a distal end of the shaft configured to be received within a lumen of a catheter, and a resilient separation prevention device supported on the connecting device. The resilient separation prevention device is inwardly deflectable towards the connecting device upon insertion of the connection device into the lumen of the catheter and biased towards a non-deflected position in engagement with an inner surface of the catheter to prevent retraction of the connecting device from the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing an optical lens, whereby a block piece for the lens is first processed by cutting and then is provided with markings for positioning the lens on the block piece.

Abstract: A plant including: an assembly line along which a plurality of pallets are circulated in a closed loop, divided into a first section, where the pallets are loaded in a plurality of first stations with mechanical parts to be assembled, and into a second section, where the pallets advance along a plurality of second stations; a conveyor arranged at least partially parallel to and above the second section, along which a plurality of balance supports provided with bodies run; a coupling station, arranged immediately upstream of the second section, where the pallets are integrally coupled to the balance supports; and a decoupling station, where the pallets are separated from the balance supports; each pallet having selectively engageable and releasable fastening means for a balance support and elastic means able to receive the balance support resting thereon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical lens, the method comprising the steps of blocking a lens member at a first position on a blocker; determining the first position of the lens member with respect to the blocker; comparing the first position of the lens member with a predetermined position in order to determine a positioning error between the first position and the predetermined position; determining a surface position of the surface to be manufactured with respect to the blocker according to the positioning error; and configuring operational parameters of a lens manufacturing tool in order to manufacture a surface according to the determined surface position such that the desired optical properties of the optical lens are respected. The invention further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an optical lens.

Abstract: A measuring assembly for measuring an inside of a lens frame of a spectacle frame, said lens frame at least partially delimiting an inscribed surface area F that corresponds to a lens shape, comprising a holding device for mounting the spectacle frame, at least one light source for generating a light beam to be projected on a region of the lens frame to be evaluated, and at least one sensor that can be coupled to an evaluation unit for detecting the reflected light beam, wherein the holding device can be rotated about a rotational axis r and moved in the direction of a movement axis x, and the movement axis x comprises at least one movement component in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis r. The holding device is used to fix the spectacle frame by spectacle frame bows, wherein at least one free space is provided in the region of the holding device, said free space being used to receive the spectacle frame bows of a spectacle frame to be held which are not folded in or cannot be folded in.

Abstract: A lens processing system used for removing a lens blank (98, 110) from an edging block (40). The system includes an elongated collet (22) that engages the mating edging block (40). The block (40) includes an enlarged groove (41) that receives a pair of blades (65, 66) extended upwardly from the floor (75) of the collet (22). Each lens blank (98,110) is formed to include a series of surface markings (191,192) to verify proper functioning of the edging machine that forms a finished lens. Each lens blank also includes a series of circular markings (117,133) arranged in diagonal rows to verify the accurate drilling of bores with the lens blank (98,110).

Abstract: Method for mounting an optical lens (10) to be polished on a spindle (20) of a polishing device, the optical lens (10) comprising a first and a second main surface (101, 102), the method comprising: an optical lens (10) providing step (S1), in which an optical lens (10) whose first main surface (101) is to be polished is provided, a mounting step (S2), in which the optical lens (10) is mounted on the spindle (20), wherein, the mounting step (S2) further comprises a support device positioning step (S3), in which a support device (30) is positioned between the spindle (20) and the second surface (102) of the optical lens (10) so as to be rotated by the spindle (20) and to have a contact surface (31) partly in contact with the second main surface (102) of the optical lens (10) that partly extends beyond the second main surface (102) of the optical lens (10).

Abstract: A system includes a positioning and centering pin (4) configured to be attached to an ophthalmic lens, an attachment member (5) configured to be positioned on and attached to the pin and to be attached to the lens, a tool (20) for positioning the attachment member on the pin, and which includes a body (42) provided with at least one receiving recess configured to at least partially receive at least one of the attachment members and the pin, at least one centering member (48, 56) and at least one guide member (48, 57), which are configured such that, when the attachment member and the pin are mounted on the tool, the attachment member is centered relative to the body and the pin is guided relative to the body, whereby the attachment member is positioned in a predetermined position on the pin.

Abstract: The invention refers to a blocking piece, comprising at least two parts, at least one part being designed for multiple use and at least one part being designed for single use, wherein a surface for supporting one face of an optical article to be blocked is constituted at least in part by the reusable part and at least in part by the single use part.

Abstract: The invention provides for a blocking piece comprised of at least two materials having different rigidity/stiffness/hardness, wherein at least one among the two materials is translucent and defines an annular junction surface with respect to the other material. The invention also provides for a process using such a block piece.

Abstract: The invention discloses a device (10) for clamping particularly an eye glass lens blocked on a block piece for processing and/or coating said eye glass lens, comprising a receiving space (34) having a center line (M) for a clamping section of the block piece, and a plurality of clamping surfaces (36) provided in a boundary region of the receiving space, which may optionally be engaged in the clamping section of the block piece in order to clamp the block piece. In order to avoid excessive deformation of the clamped block piece, the clamping surfaces are positioned opposite of each other in pairs at a radial distance to the center line and can be displaced optionally toward or away from each other by a clamping piece (38) in order to clamp the clamping section of the block piece by way of clamping forces (F), which are substantially oriented in a tangential direction at a radial distance to the center line, or in order to release the block piece.

Abstract: A blocking device and a method for blocking of eyeglass lenses on blocking pieces with a base body, with a blocking piece receiver which is located on the base body for the blocking piece which is to be attached to the eyeglass lens and with a positioning unit which is located on the base body for aligning and holding the eyeglass lens which is to be blocked, the blocking piece receiver and the positioning unit can be fixed on the eyeglass lens by activation being movable relative to one another via a lifting axis, the approach motion between the positioning unit and the blocking piece receiver being limited in the direction of the lifting axis by an adjustable stop means in at least two positions.

Abstract: A glass setting plate for a glass polishing system supports a lower surface of a glass in a glass polishing system for polishing a glass used for liquid crystal displays. The glass setting plate is made of a composite material obtained by molding and curing a mixture of granite particles and thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Polishing machines, fixtures and methods for polishing one or more optical fibers upon distinct wear paths are provided. For example, in some embodiments a polishing fixture is provided with a number of ports for fixing optical fibers. The ports may be positioned within the fixture to follow a number of distinct wear paths when the fixture is moved relative to a platen retaining an abrasive film. In some embodiments, the ports may have an angular separation or be positioned at one or more radial distances in order to provide distinct wear paths on the abrasive film.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an eyeglass lens, which comprises a step of conducting polishing processing of a non-optical surface of a semifinished lens, one surface of which is an optical surface and the other surface of which is the non-optical surface, to create an optical surface. The semifinished lens comprises an acrylic coating on an optical surface of a lens substrate, a surface of the acrylic coating having a contact angle relative to water of equal to or less than 90°, prior to the polishing processing, a protective film is adhered through an adhesive layer of the film to the surface of the acrylic coating, and the polishing processing is conducted by polishing a non-optical surface of the lens substrate in a state where the protective film surface is secured in a block jig.

Abstract: An ophthalmic-lens holder (200) includes a plate (210) and three pads (250) which are mounted on the plate and rise up above the latter to offer free ends (271) via which they can bear the ophthalmic lens. At least one of the three pads is movably mounted on the plate.

Abstract: A device for blocking workpieces for the processing and/or coating thereof, has a support surface for positioning the workpiece to be blocked, a blocking station in which the workpiece can be blocked on a blocking piece by a temporarily deformable blocking material, and a transport device which has a retaining head for the workpiece and by which a relative movement can be created between the workpiece being retained at the retaining head, and the support surface and the blocking station. The transport device has at least four position-controlled movement axes, by which to position the workpiece in a defined manner in consideration of the orientation and geometric information relative to a blocking piece located in the blocking station, and can be retained in the defined relative position to the blocking piece during blocking while leaving a blocking material accommodation gap between the workpiece and the blocking piece.

Abstract: A block piece for holding an optical lens to be worked in a machine tool, the block piece having a rotational axis 1.1, a holding surface that can be made to face the lens and a bearing surface that is directed radially outwards and can be brought to bear in a workpiece spindle, wherein the holding surface has at least one recess 1.2a or a number of recesses 2.1-2.6, which are distributed around the rotational axis 1.1, have a diameter DA and serve for receiving bonding compound for adhesive bonding to the lens.

Abstract: A lens holder (8) includes a metal holder main body (12) and an elastic member (14) which holds the processing center portion (13) of a processing target lens (7). The holder main body (12) has a fitting hole (20) formed at a front surface center. The elastic member (14) includes a fitting shaft portion (14A) to be slidably fitted in the fitting hole (20), and a lens holding portion (14B) integrally provided to the fitting shaft portion (14A). The front surface of the lens holding portion (14B) forms a lens holding surface (24) which holds the processing target lens (7). Before holding the processing target lens (7), a suitable gap (g) is formed between the front surface (18) of the holder main body (12) and the lens holding surface (24). When the lens holding surface (24) is urged against the processing target lens (7), the lens holding portion (14B) elastically deforms toward the rear surface and is urged against the front surface (18) of the holder main body (12).

Abstract: A lower unit for a glass polishing system includes a support installed to a rotatable turntable, and a carrier having a supporting part for supporting a glass to be polished, and a placing part formed in a surface opposite to the supporting part and fixed and placed to the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for machining a bevel (32, 34) on a disk shaped part (31) including a grinding device (3) having abrasive means (4), a device (5) for securing the part (31) including a support (13) to which said part is fitted and which is integral with an axis of rotation (16). According to the invention, the securing device (5) further includes a means (15) of orienting the axis (16) of rotation (B) to define the angle of said one bevel (32, 34) and a means (17) of moving the support (13) closer to the abrasive means (4) in order to machining the part (13) under stress. The invention concerns the field of crystals for timepieces.

Abstract: A rolling machine includes a first clipping component, a second clipping component, a lifting component, and a holding assembly. The first clipping component has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second clipping component has a third surface configured to contact the first surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface. The lifting component is connected to the first clipping component and configured to drive the first clipping component to move back and forth. The holding assembly has a first and second holders configured to be symmetrically positioned on both sides of the first clipping component.

Abstract: A locking device includes a rigid base (2) and a deformable pocket (3) containing a granular material (13). Discharging elements (4) are provided for gas exchange between the inside and the outside of the deformable pocket (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying and/or detaching a wafer to/from a carrier with a deformable membrane which can be aligned parallel to the contact surface of the wafer, with one contact side for at least partial contact-making with the contact surface, deformation means which are located backward to the contact side for deformation of the membrane which can be controlled in a defined manner and adhesion means for adhesion of the wafer to the membrane and process for detaching and/or applying a wafer to/from a carrier with a corresponding device.

Abstract: This invention discloses a polishing jig air injection apparatus including a polishing jig installation base including a surface on which a spectacle lens polishing jig is placed, an injection member which is inserted into an air injection port of the spectacle lens polishing jig, and an air supply device which supplies the air into a balloon member of the spectacle lens polishing jig via the injection member and the air injection port. The injection member includes a main body formed in a pillar shape, and a seal member. The main body includes an air passage, and an annular groove formed in the outer circumferential portion of the main body. The seal member is inserted into the annular groove, is formed in an annular shape, and uses an elastic body. The seal member has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the air injection port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for uncoupling the support and removing a protective film from lenses during production. The method consists of: a phase comprising the weakening of the layer (5) of fluxing material, specific to a matching support (4), with the application of a hot fluid in order to soften same; the lateral projection of a jet (7) of pressurized liquid onto the support (4) in order to detach said support; the lateral projection of an orientable pressurized jet (8) onto the edge of the lens (1) in order to raise the protective sheet (3) to be found on the front face of the lens and to detach same fully from the lens; and the draining of the lens (1) in order for same to be delivered to an outlet tray.

Abstract: A holder for workpieces with end surfaces thereof being polished comprises a main body and a framework in which the main body is provided with a plurality of fixtures for holding the workpieces and the ring-shaped first supporting portion, and the framework is provided with the second supporting portion surrounding the outer side of the first supporting portion. The second supporting portion limits the angular movement of the first supporting portion to enable the main body to keep parallel to the polishing surface during the end surface of the respective workpiece is brought into contact with the polishing surface. The structure of the holder is capable of reducing the fabrication time and cost of the first supporting portion tremendously.

Abstract: Methods for edging optical articles comprising two main faces, at least one of which being coated with an outermost layer comprising fixing the optical article to a chuck with a holding pad that adheres to both the optical article and the chuck, wherein the surface of the holding pad contacting the optical comprises an adhesive material; and edging the optical article with an edging device; wherein prior to fixing the optical article to the chuck, at least one temporary layer of an organic material is formed onto said outermost layer of the optical article, the organic material of the temporary layer comprising at least one organic compound having a fluorinated functional moiety and at least one linking functional moiety capable of establishing at least one intermolecular bond or interaction with the adhesive material of the holding pad. Optical articles obtained via these methods.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a platen having a first region configured to support a wafer, and a second region disposed outside the first region. The chemical mechanical polishing apparatus further includes a polishing pad disposed on the platen, a pad head to which the polishing pad is attached, a slurry supply configured to supply a slurry onto the wafer, and an injection port disposing on the second region of the platen. The injection port is configured to inject a predetermined gas to an edge of a bottom surface of the wafer and toward the outside of the wafer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrule assembly. The method including first and second polishing operations. The first polishing operation including polishing only the end face of a ferrule of an assembly. The second polishing operation including polishing only the optical fiber of the assembly.

Abstract: A process for edging an optical lens for conforming the optical lens to the size and shape of a lens frame into which the optical lens is to be accommodated, said process comprising: a) providing an optical lens having a convex surface, the convex surface being provided with an anti-smudge topcoat rendering the optical lens inappropriate for edging; b) fixing a mounting element on the convex surface of the optical lens, preferably on its center, by means of an adhesive pad adhering both to the mounting element and the convex surface of the optical lens to form a mounting element/optical lens assembly; c) placing the mounting element/optical lens assembly in a grinding machine so that the optical lens is firmly maintained; and d) edging the optical lens to the intended size and shape, wherein, prior to step (b) of fixing the mounting element, the anti-smudge topcoat on the convex surface of the optical lens is pre-treated with a solvent selected from the group consisting of alkanols and dialkylketones under a

Abstract: A centering device (13) is arranged to surround a loading table (11) on which a lens blank (1) is to be set, to set the geometric center of the lens blank (1) to coincide with the center of the loading table (11). The centering device (13) includes three clamp pins (31) which press the peripheral surface of the lens blank (1). When centering is ended, the loading table (11) on which the lens blank (1) is set is pushed up by a moving device (12) from a centering position (H1) to a block position (H2), and a peripheral portion of the lens blank (1) on a concave surface side is urged against the lower surfaces of locking portions (31A) of clamp pins (31). After a predetermined amount of wax (4) is dripped onto the lens blank (1), a lens holding unit (2) is moved downward by a predetermined amount and urged against the wax on the lens blank (1) to spread the wax thin and let the wax to solidify. Thus, the lens blank (1) and lens holding unit (2) are bonded to each other.

Abstract: A holder for supporting an end surface of a workpiece during polishing comprises a main body and a framework which are respectively provided with fixing portions corresponding to each other; at least one of the two fixing portions has at least one set of upper and lower contact portions, and the upper and the lower contact portions on each set are respectively disposed above and below a contact plane formed between the end surface of the workpiece and a polishing surface; when the upper and lower contact portions and another one of the fixing portions one another, the main body is capable of keeping parallel to the polishing surface, and the pressure acting on the end surface of each workpiece is capable of being approximately uniform. Hence, the number of end surfaces of the optical fibers can be increased tremendously during polishing so as to enhance the polishing speed and quality.

Abstract: An ophthalmic blocking pad includes a foam layer, a film layer disposed over and directly contacting the foam layer, and an adhesive layer disposed over the film layer. The film layer has a tensile strength of at least about 25 ksi (172 MPa).

Abstract: A device or the operation of a device for the holding, especially sealing support of an optical element, especially an optical lens with at least one holding element for mounting the optical element and preferably at least one sealing element for sealing contact at at least a part of the optical element and/or the holding element, wherein the sealing element or at least a part thereof is displaceable between a first position, in which the sealing element rests against the optical element and a second position, in which the sealing element is spaced apart from the optical element, or wherein the sealing element is switchable such that it rests against the optical element under different contact pressure or adjustable contact force. The holding element can either take on the holding function alone and independently of the sealing element or work together with the sealing element in this regard.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrule assembly. The method including first and second polishing operations. The first polishing operation including polishing only the end face of a ferrule of an assembly. The second polishing operation including polishing only the optical fiber of the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet for mounting a polishing workpiece. The sheet comprises a substrate, a surface layer and a slightly rough layer. The substrate has a surface. The surface layer is located on the surface of the substrate, with no hole structure existing in the interior thereof, and has a surface. The slightly rough layer is located on the surface of the surface layer to carry and mount the polishing workpiece, with no hole structure existing in the interior thereof. Accordingly, when the polishing workpiece contacts the slightly rough layer, the air therebetween is easily vented out via the slightly rough layer, without the phenomenon of air wrapping, which increases the adsorption force between the polishing workpiece and the sheet.

Abstract: A lens deblocking system (1) used for removing a lens (51) from an edging block (22). The system (1) includes opposed movable arms (4, 5) that are constrained to travel longitudinally within an aperture (3) so as to grip a lens (51) that is adhesively secured to an edging block by a pad (52). The edging block (22) is held within a clamp (11) that resides on a collet closer (63) which may be rotated by activating an air cylinder (82). A cam push block (91) is linked to file cylinder (82) as well as a cam arm (98) that is attached to a spindle (96) extending from the collet closer (63). In response to the movement of the push block (91) a rotational motion is imparted to the damp (11) via the cam arm (98). The rotation of the clamp (11) occurs while the tens (51) is still constrained against rotational movement between the movable arms (4, 5) thereby physically breaking the bond between the pad (52) arid the clamp (11) and permitting subsequent manual removal of the pad (52) from the lens (51).

Abstract: A lens holder (8) includes a metal holder main body (12) and an elastic member (14) which holds the processing center portion (13) of a processing target lens (7). The holder main body (12) has a fitting hole (20) formed at a front surface center. The elastic member (14) includes a fitting shaft portion (14A) to be slidably fitted in the fitting hole (20), and a lens holding portion (14B) integrally provided to the fitting shaft portion (14A). The front surface of the lens holding portion (14B) forms a lens holding surface (24) which holds the processing target lens (7). Before holding the processing target lens (7), a suitable gap (g) is formed between the front surface (18) of the holder main body (12) and the lens holding surface (24). When the lens holding surface (24) is urged against the processing target lens (7), the lens holding portion (14B) elastically deforms toward the rear surface and is urged against the front surface (18) of the holder main body (12).

Abstract: A scanner device and an image forming apparatus, each having a shading correction unit are disclosed. The shading correction unit is implemented by a lens block, including a fixer and a wall. The fixer fixes a position of the lens block. The wall, connected to the fixer at a connecting point, has an opening. The minimum distance between the circumference line of the opening and the connecting point is larger than a thickness of the wall.

Abstract: A method for producing an element having at least one arbitrarily freely formed surface (freeform surface) having a high accuracy of form and a low surface roughness. The freeform surface is obtained by at least one first processing step with a shaping material processing method in which at least an approximation to the desired freeform surface (target form) is effected, and at least one second step with a material processing method that smooths the surface, wherein at least during the second processing step of the smoothing material processing, the element (1) to be processed is elastically stressed by force introduction such that the freeform surface to be smoothed is processed by smoothing processes for spherical, plane or aspherical surfaces.

Abstract: This apparatus includes a unit for adhering an elastic seal to a lens holder, a unit for causing the lens holder, to which the elastic seal is adhered, to hold a lens, a pivotal arm, an arm driving unit for pivoting the pivotal arm, a clamp unit attached to the pivotal arm to be vertically movable to hold the lens holder, and a clamp driving unit for vertically moving the clamp unit. The pivotal arm is pivoted to sequentially adhere the elastic seal to the lens holder and hold the lens by the lens holder.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: a centering step during which the optical frame of reference of the lens is acquired and a blocking accessory is fastened thereto; and a step of shaping the lens to have a desired outline. The blocking accessory is fitted with an electronic identification element bearing an identification code, and said identification code of the electronic element is read initially during a first read during the centering step to associate the code in memory with the mounting parameters of the lens that is receiving the blocking accessory, and then during a second read during the shaping step in order to recover the mounting parameters associated with the identification code as read and thus with the lens attached to the blocking accessory.

Abstract: The pneumatic blocking support which is used to block an optical lens (200) on a machine or device has means (3) for fixing it on a corresponding element of the machine or device. The blocking means comprise a central cavity (8) and a joint (9) having at least one annular part (9) against which the lens rests in order to define a depression chamber (11) with said cavity and joint. The blocking elements include stop members (10) which are created in order to provide the optical lens with a rigid seat after the elastic compression of the joint.

Abstract: A ferrule holder assembly for an optical-fiber-end-face grinding apparatus comprises a ferrule holder board supported to be moved upward and downward in parallel with a grinding board of the optical-fiber-end-face grinding apparatus, a ferrule sleeve provided at the ferrule holder board for receiving and supporting an optical fiber ferrule while putting the tip at the grinding board, an adapter for retaining the optical fiber ferrule or a connector for supporting the optical fiber ferrule in a state where the optical fiber ferrule is inserted into the ferrule sleeve, and an urging unit for urging the adapter in a direction opposite to the grinding board from the ferrule holder board.