Lens production method and process

Abstract

A method for processing a first optical face and a second optical face of a lens, where a lens blank is positioned and gripped by a gripping device relying on reference datum indications rendering it possible to obtain topographic orientation for processing both faces of the lens, and wherein not more then one reference datum indication extends on a face of the lens.

1 . A lens blank pre-formed with reference datum indications providing full-spatial reference datum, whereby the blank may than be gripped by a gripping device for use in conjunction with a lens processing apparatus, relying on said reference datum indications for gripping and processing a first optical face and a second optical face of the lens.  
   
   
       2 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein not more then one reference datum indication extends on an optical surface of the lens.  
   
   
       3 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein all reference datum indications extend out of the optical surfaces of the lens.  
   
   
       4 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reference datum indications are formed on an annular rim on the periphery of the lens blank.  
   
   
       5 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reference datum indications is formed by an annular recess on the periphery lens blank.  
   
   
       6 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the reference datum indications is a radial projection extending from a peripheral face of the lens blank.  
   
   
       7 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the reference datum indications is a radial indention extending from a peripheral face of the lens blank.  
   
   
       8 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the reference datum indications is a tapering peripheral surface of the lens blank.  
   
   
       9 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the reference datum indications is an axially extending indication.  
   
   
       10 . A lens according to  claim 9 , wherein the axially extending indication is a recess.  
   
   
       11 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein the reference datum is a set of pre-formed apertures or recess.  
   
   
       12 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one discrete reference datum indication for ensuring true-position of the lens.  
   
   
       13 . A lens blank according to  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first optical face and the second optical face are at least partially pre-formed with optical topography.  
   
   
       14 . An adapter for use in the processing of an optical lens, the adapter comprising a lens blank receiving zone for receiving and fixedly supporting a lens blank, and an engagement zone for engagement with a gripping device for use in conjunction with a lens processing apparatus, said engagement zone comprising reference datum indications providing full-spatial orientation for processing at least a first optical face of the lens.  
   
   
       15 . An adapter according to  claim 14 , wherein the adapter comprises a lens blank receiving member formed with said reference datum indications and adapted for engagement with a mating gripping device fitted with mating reference datum indications corresponding with those of said lens blank receiving member.  
   
   
       16 . An adapter according to  claim 15 , wherein said lens blank receiving member comprises a lens blank locking arrangement.  
   
   
       17 . An adapter according to  claim 16 , wherein the lens blank receiving member is formed with at least one tapering surface.  
   
   
       18 . An adapter according to  claim 16 , wherein the lens blank receiving member is formed with at least one rotational datum reference indication.  
   
   
       19 . An adapter according to  claim 16 , wherein the lens blank receiving member is formed with at least a flat face extending normal to a longitudinal axis of the adapter.  
   
   
       20 . A method for processing optical faces of a lens wherein processing optical faces of the lens is carried out while a lens blank is gripped at peripheral surfaces thereof.  
   
   
       21 . A method for processing optical faces of a lens wherein gripping a lens blank during processing optical faces of the lens is carried out by gripping the blank at portions of the blank having a radius greater then that of the processed optical faces.  
   
   
       22 . A method for processing optical faces of a lens wherein processing optical faces of the lens is carried out while a lens blank is directly gripped.  
   
   
       23 . A method for processing a first optical face and a second optical face of a lens, where gripping and orientating a lens blank with respect to grippers of a lens processing equipment is carried out by a chuck associated with each face of the lens and being in full register with one another.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein both faces of the lens are processed by machining.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein one chuck is a-priory integrally fixed with the lens blank.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the a-priory integral chuck is made of a machinable material.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the a-priory integral chuck is made of the same material as the lens blank material.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein one chuck is fixedly attached to the lens blank.  
   
   
       29 . A method for processing a first optical face and a second optical face of a lens, comprising the following steps: 
 (a) Obtaining a lens blank with an a-priory integral chuck extending at one face thereof;    (b) Processing a first face of the lens whilst gripping the blank by said integral chuck;    (c) Attaching an additional chuck to said first face in full register with said integral chuck;    (d) Gripping the blank at said additional chuck and machined away the integral chuck and processing the second face of the lens.    
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein step (c) is carried out by relying on mechanically obtained reference datum.  
   
   
       31 . A method for processing a first optical face and a second optical face of a lens, comprising the following steps: 
 (a) Obtaining a simple lens blank;    (b) Attaching a first chuck to a face of the blank;    (c) Processing a first face of the lens whilst gripping the lens blank by said first chuck;    (d) Blocking a second chuck to said first face of the lens, in full register with said first chuck;    (e) Gripping the blank by said second chuck, removing the first chuck and processing the second face of the lens.    
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein at step (e) the first chuck is removed during processing of the second face of the lens.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein step (d) is carried out by relying on mechanically obtained reference datum.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus for orientation and blocking of a first and a second chuck to a lens blank, said apparatus comprising a first chuck gripper and a second chuck gripper where at least one of said grippers is axially displaceable along an axis parallel to an axis extending between said chuck grippers, whereby chucks gripped by said grippers are in full register with one another.  
   
   
       35 . An apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein said chuck grippers are axially aligned.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the grippers is tiltable about the axis extending between the chuck grippers.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the grippers is rotateable about the axis extending between the chuck grippers.