Patent · US Expired

Universal lens polishing tool, polishing apparatus and method of polishing

US4768308A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
8References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 17, 1986
Grant dateSep 6, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 17, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B13/043
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A universal polishing tool comprises a rigid cup having a circular rim to which is attached a relatively thin resilient polishing pad. In accordance with a method for using the tool, the tool is rotated about the axis of a support shaft causing the resilient polishing pad to move with respect to the surface which is being polished. The universal polishing tool is dynamically positioned as a function of time with respect to the surface being polished. The orientation and position as a function of time are determined by a control algorithm according to the geometry of the tool and the particular surface being polished and are controlled by means of a controllable positioning device. In the case of a spherical surface or a rotationally symmetric aspheric surface, the lens is rotated about its axis of symmetry during the polishing operation. In the case of a toric surface, the lens is oscillated about an axis which is normal to its center.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.