Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for generating ultimate surfaces on ophthalmic lenses

US5957637A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
19References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 13, 1997
Grant dateSep 28, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 13, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T409/307616
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a base having orthogonal horizontal longitudinal axis, horizontal transversal axis and vertical axis, and a tool spindle having a motor and a lens surfacing tool mounted on a rotatable arbour of the motor. The apparatus also comprises a lens holder having a chuck for retaining an ophthalmic lens with a perimeter thereof defining a plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first linear slide is affixed to the base and has a first movable support and a first actuator for moving the first movable support along the longitudinal axis. A second linear slide is also affixed to the base and has a second movable support supporting the lens holder and a second actuator for moving the second movable support and the lens holder along the transversal axis. A rotary table is affixed to the first movable support and supports the tool spindle. The rotary table has a third actuator for rotating the rotary table about the vertical axis. A computer is provided for simultaneously controlling displacements of the first, second and third actuators, whereby the first, second and third actuators are operable in a compound mode for enhancing the precision o…

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