Abstract: A carrier head for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a flexible membrane with an expandable lip portion to engage a substrate for improved chemical mechanical polishing. The lip portion can form or break a seal with the substrate in response to pressure changes in a chamber in the carrier head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a thermal release mounting material to adhere a laser wafer to a wafer support during a semiconductor fabrication process is provided. A first surface of the mounting material contains an adhesive and is adhered to a wafer support. The wafer support contains apertures for allowing air bubbles to escape while the mounting material is being applied to the wafer support, thus, ensuring that the film is planar to the support. The laser wafer is adhered to a second surface of the mounting material. The second surface of the mounting material comprises a thermal release material. After undergoing the fabrication process, the thermal release material of the mounting material is heated to a release temperature allowing the laser wafer to be readily removed from the wafer support.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel preformed base blocks that may be used with thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions. The preformed base block has a rear portion that is sized and adapted to fit the chuck of a lens processing machine and a front portion that has a textured front surface and preferably a negatively tapered peripheral edge. The front portion is adapted to mechanically retain the thermoplastic blocking composition to form a lens block against a lens blank.

Abstract: A two-piece lens block allows for the rotation of an edged lens blank in order to align the cylinder of the lens blank correctly. The lens block includes a substantially cylindrical base having a first surface facing the lens blank and an opposed second surface with a plurality of driving recesses extending into the base from the second surface. A ring member surrounds the base and includes a mounting surface generally adjacent to the lens blank. The ring member is rotatable relative to the base prior to the attachment of the lens blank to the lens block. An edged lens-shaped cavity is provided in the ring member and provides for nearly full surface contact of an attachment alloy with a front surface of the lens blank to alleviate distortion. The two-piece lens block allows edged lens blanks to be surfaced to finished lenses.

Abstract: The apparatus accurately and automatically orients a shaft with an eccentric end portion for positioning in an eccentric chuck. An unoriented shaft is deposited on a support assembly. The shaft is supported by the eccentric and adjacent the end remote from the eccentric. The shaft is rotated, preferably by a magnet, to orient the eccentric at a precise angular orientation. Preferably, a proximity sensor verifies that successful orientation has been achieved. Once the shaft is properly oriented, it is removed by a pick and place robot, for insertion into the chuck.

Abstract: A tool, and associated method, for batch processing the definition of air bearing surfaces on rows comprising a plurality of sliders is disclosed. The tool has a main body member having a length defining a y-axis direction, a width defining an x-axis direction, and a thickness defining a z-axis direction. The main body member has a top surface defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface. The main body also defines a y-axis alignment reference surface, and an x-axis alignment reference surface. The rows are positioned on the tool for processing, where the upper surface of the platform engages the lower surface of the plurality of rows to provide proper z-axis positioning on the tool. The y-axis alignment reference engages one longitudinal side of an anchor row to provide proper y-axis positioning, and the x-axis alignment reference surface abuts the second end of the plurality of rows to provide proper x-axis positioning. The top surfaces of the rows lie in a common plane.

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: The present invention provides novel preformed base blocks that may be used with thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions. The preformed base block has a rear portion that is sized and adapted to fit the chuck of a lens processing machine and a front portion that has a negatively tapered peripheral edge. The front portion is adapted to mechanically retain the thermoplastic blocking composition to form a lens block against a lens blank.

Abstract: A method for mounting a semiconductor wafer on a polishing block to hold the semiconductor wafer during polishing. The method comprises the steps of providing a polishing block having a surface for mounting the semiconductor wafer, coating the polishing block surface with a bonding agent, applying radiant heat to the polishing block and bonding agent to soften the bonding agent, and applying the semiconductor wafer to the softened bonding agent. The step of applying radiant heat to the polishing block and bonding agent is performed by a radiant heater in a dry environment.

Abstract: The process and device (1) for positioning several single crystals (2) on a support (3) for their simultaneous cutting in directions well defined relative to the crystal structure of each single crystal; they avoid the adjustment in the machine and minimize the cutting time by providing a positioning outside the machine about angles of rotation (d,g) obtained mathematically from measured and/or given data and which position each geometric single crystal in a plane perpendicular to the cutting direction (z'") whilst bringing the cutting plane of each single crystal (2) parallel to the cutting direction of the machine. The device for practicing the process comprises a frame (5), a gripping device (8) mounted rotatably on the frame and carrying single crystals (2) and a rotatable plate (11) adapted to maintain the cutting support (3) belonging both to the positioning device (1) and to the cutting machine.

Abstract: A semiconductor single crystal ingot cutting jig is shaped as a cylinder having a diameter approximately equal to an ingot diameter. A recess is provided at one end of the jig for receiving a head (or tail) of the ingot. An adhesive is provided in the recess so as to adhere the ingot to the jig when the head (or tail) of the ingot is inserted into the recess. Then, the ingot is fixed on a bed of a band-saw slicing machine. The head (or tail) of the ingot is fixed on the jig and thus will not overturn at the time just before finishing the cutting or at the end of cutting. This can prevent a blade of a band saw slicing machine from being damaged.

Abstract: A plurality of holes 2, each of which permits insertion of a small-diameter of an article to be manufactured, are formed in a flexible metal retaining plate 1 having a thickness of about 100 micrometers. A pair of notches 3, 3 are formed in the internal periphery of each hole 2 so as to be opposite to each other, and a cantilever 4 is defined between a pair of the notches 3, 3. The small-diameter portion of the article to be manufactured is inserted into each hole 2, and the cantilevers 4 and the hole 2 are integrally fixed together by welding. A plurality of the articles to be manufactured retained by the retaining plate 1 are fed as a unit to a surface abrasion step, a film-forming step, and others. As a result, a plurality of sensor elements can be simultaneously manufactured.

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: A portable, rotary power tool includes a guide roller and a special designed cutter mounted to the spindle of the tool. The rotary tool is presented to a lens blank mounted to a lens defining pattern. The guide roller engages and follows the shape defining lens pattern while the special designed cutter contacts and removes material from the lens blank being contoured. The cutter may be square and include a further shape defining cutting surface thereon for providing a bevel to the lens edge. In a further embodiment, a rotary power tool similar to the above device, including the guide roller and cutter, is mounted to a support fixture. The fixture includes a pivoting arm assembly to which a lens blank and lens defining pattern are mounted. The pivot arm assembly is rotatable toward and away from the cutter carried by the rotary tool such that the cutter engages and removes material from the lens blank dependant upon the shape defined by the lens pattern.

Abstract: A positioning process and device (1) for a single crystal (2) for cutting in predetermined directions avoids the adjustment of the cutting machine and minimizes the cutting time by positioning outside of the machine, according to rotational angles (d,g) obtained mathematically from measured and/or imposed data, and which positions the geometric single crystal in a plane perpendicular to the cutting direction (z'") while bringing the cutting plane of the single crystal (2) parallel to the direction of cutting of the machine. The device for practicing the method comprises a frame (5), two cylinders (8) mounted rotatably on the frame and supporting the single crystal (2) and a rotatable plate (12) adapted to maintain the cutting support (3) belonging both to the positioning device (1) and the cutting machine.

Abstract: A device for mounting a retaining part on an optical surface of an ophthalmic blank, e.g., before the insertion of the ophthalmic blank into an ophthalmic glass processing machine. The device has at least one viewing unit for parallax-free centering of the ophthalmic blank, at least one retaining device for supporting the ophthalmic blank during centering, and a motion drive for the retaining device for moving the ophthalmic blank from the centering position at the viewing device into a position for mounting the retaining part.

Abstract: A drum-shaped workpiece (37) is machined according to a method whereby the workpiece (37) is fastened to a rotatable holder (1) of a machine tool (3) by means of an adhesive (45), for example a mixture including rosin and beeswax, such that a centerline (51) of the workpiece (37) coincides substantially with an axis of rotation (19) of the holder (1). This adhesive (45) is exclusively provided between the holder (1) and support surfaces (47, 49) of the workpiece (37) directed substantially parallel to the centerline (51), the workpiece (37) being brought into connection with the holder (1) exclusively via the adhesive (45). It is achieved thereby that mechanical stresses in the workpiece (37) caused by the fastening of the workpiece (37) to the holder (1) are as small as possible. A dimensional accuracy which the workpiece (37) has after being machined by the machine tool (3) and before being removed from the holder (1) thus remains intact when the workpiece (37) is removed from the holder (1).

Abstract: A preform for attaching a holding member to an optical lens comprises a base constrained to rotate with the optical lens to be machined by a low melting point metal coupling layer cast in situ and a superstructure capped by a drive tool. The edge of the base is inwardly offset relative to the superstructure. This enables the coupling layer to form around it a bearing surface that can be gripped by the drive tool. The preform is used to attach holding members to optical lenses, in particular ophthalmic lenses.

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 cam having a front surface and a rear surface to reciprocate a double-headed piston of a compressor twice for every rotation of a drive shaft. A positioner is provided on the front and rear surface of the cam to position the cam on a fixture used for grinding of cam surfaces. The cam surfaces are formed by grinding the front and rear surface of the cam into a convex shape with the cam positioned to the fixture by the positioner. The front cam surface and the rear cam surface have identical shapes and their phases are offset by a predetermined angle with respect to one another. The positioner is arranged at the same position on the front and rear surfaces of the cam with respect to the cam shape.

Abstract: A single castable ophthalmic lens polishing lap includes a mounting plate that is adapted for connection to a lap press/cylinder machine and includes a flexible membrane that is affixed to the mounting plate and filled with castable material. A polishing pad is affixed to the flexible membrane. The lap is cast by first applying energy to the castable material that causes it to soften, and to preferably change to a fluid phase, and then pressing the lap against the rough cut back surface of a lens. This causes the castable material to deform so that the lap's curvature is complementary to the lens' prescription curvature. Energy is then removed from the lap so that the castable material solidifies in the desired shape. After polishing, the lap can be recast with another lens having a different prescription.

Abstract: A floating rotary drive device sequentially holding a workpiece of a series of workpieces to be supported with slack while each workpiece is machined by grinding while the workpiece is rotated about a slack axis of rotation, comprising a motor having n output shaft, a chuck (2) rotatable about an axis of rotation which chuck is attached to the output shaft of the motor (9), by a flexible control (30) and positioning means for positioning the machined workpiece after it has been ground, characterized in that the device comprises: coupling means (14, 39; 15, 40) for automatic coupling of the workpiece to be ground with the chuck; the coupling means being actuatable at the end of a machining operation to bear against the chuck to center the chuck with its axis of rotation coincident with the specific axis of rotation of the machined workpiece in a final position and to immobilize the chuck in the final position during the removal of the machined workpiece and during the fitting of a sequential workpiece to be ma

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking an ophthalmic lens blank for working the lens includes an alignment station for supporting and aligning the lens blank relative to a target image and a transport means for moving the lens from the alignment station to a blocking station while maintaining lens orientation. The blocking station includes a support for a lens block, support for the lens, and a mechanism for injecting heated liquid bonding material between lens and block which solidifies on cooling to join the lens and block.

Abstract: Front and rear lenses of a composite eyeglass lens are laminated together by holding the front lens in an X, Y adjustable stage on a laminating axis, holding the rear lens in a predetermined position relative to the laminating axis, and moving the two lenses together on the laminating axis to spread an adhesive between them. The rear lens holder is rotatable around a laminating axis and has an adjustable center foot adhesively tacked to the rear lens and an array of surrounding pressure feet for pressing the rear lens uniformly against the front lens in a process that can be observed by the operator. Then, the adhesive between the pressed-together lenses is cured by UV radiation directed through the front lens before the lenses are removed from the laminator.

Abstract: A device for parallax-free centering of an eyeglass lens blank and for application of markings and optionally a holder before insertion of the eyeglass lens blank into an eyeglass edge grinding machine has a stage for the eyeglass lens blank. An electric drive is connected to the stage which is moveable in an upward and downward direction by the electric drive. A depressor for holding the eyeglass lens blank on the stage is provided. The depressor allows for lateral movement of the eyeglass lens blank in a support plane of the stage. The depressor is moveable in the upward and downward direction. A first proximity detector is operatively connected with the electric drive and with the depressor for positioning at a predetermined height the eyeglass lens blank held between depressor and stage.

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: Front and rear lenses of a composite eyeglass lens are laminated together by holding the front lens in an X, Y adjustable stage on a laminating axis, holding the rear lens in a predetermined position relative to the laminating axis, and moving the two lenses together on the laminating axis to spread an adhesive between them. The rear lens holder is rotatable around the laminating axis and has three pressure feet arranged in a triangle for pressing the rear lens uniformly against the front lens in a process that can be observed by the operator. Then, the adhesive between the pressed-together lenses is cured by UV radiation directed through the front lens before the lenses are removed from the laminator.

Abstract: A lens blocker assembly has a first support table moveable in a first direction. A second support is carried by the first support and is moveable in a second direction, with the second direction being angularly disposed relative to the first direction. Variable output drives are operably associated with the supports for selectively moving the supports in the associated directions. A lens block applicator is operably associated with the second support for applying a lens block to a lens blank disposed on the second support.

Abstract: During polishing of a gemstone (30, 100, 200), a coolant is passed in heat exchange relationship with the gemstone to remove heat. This reduces the risk of temperature degradation of the gemstone. In practice, this can be achieved by passing a fluent coolant through a coolant chamber (34, 124, 214) which forms part of the apparatus that is used to hold the gemstone during polishing and which is in heat exchange relationship with the gemstone held by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of cutting underwater structures which comprises the following steps:a local underwater step including:the anchorage of cutting means in the cutting area, exactly positioned to effect the desired cut, to the structure to be cut;a remotely-controlled step including:the automatic activation and de-activation, from a spot at the surface, of the cutting means and the automatic feed thereof in the cutting direction from a non-interference position through the structure, the cutting means being provided with cutting tools for cutting metallic and non-metallic materials;a local underwater step for recovering the cutting means (T).