Optical lens or lap blank surfacing machine, related method and cutting tool for use therewith
US5720649A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB24B13/06
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lens or lap blank surfacing machine, for use in making eyeglass lenses, and related surfacing method and rotary cutting tool, is one wherein the rotary cutting tool is moved point by point over the entire extent of a face of the blank to form a new face surface on the blank with the movements of the tool and blank relative to one another being controlled in three coordinate directions by a computer controller to give the formed surface a shape related to a given eyeglass prescription or similar specification. The rotary cutting tool has a number of peripheral zones surrounding its rotation axis with at least one of the zones having a fine cutting characteristic and with at least one other of the zones having a coarse cutting characteristic. In the movement of the tool and blank relative to one another, the tool is held so that its fine peripheral zone engages and cuts away blank material immediately adjacent the desired surface and so that the coarse peripheral zone engages and cuts away blank material to a depth not quite reaching the desired surface thereby leaving a thin layer of residual unwanted blank material which is cut away by the fine peripheral zone of the tool at a la…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.