Laser confocal sensor metrology system

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus for a non-contact method of obtaining accurate three-dimensional measurements of a dry contact lens, more specifically, using dry lens metrology to know the exact thickness of a contact lens.

1 . An apparatus for executing a method for measuring an unhydrated device, the apparatus comprising:
 a metrology device capable of taking a measurement in response to a digital signal;   a computer processor in digital communication with the metrology device;   a digital media storage device in communication with the computer processor and storing executable software code which is executable upon demand and operative with the processor and the metrology device to:   store digital data descriptive of an inventory of metrology data wherein said metrology data comprises a measurement;   receive a digital data input descriptive of one or more measurements from the metrology device; and   calculate an axial thickness value of a lens.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising a communication device linking the computer processor to a distributed network wherein the executable software code is additionally operative to transmit metrology data descriptive of a current inventory in the metrology device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said measurement comprises one or both of a forming optic mandrel measurement and a lens measurement defined by a collection of data points. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the collection of data points comprise spherical radial coordinates. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the spherical radial coordinates may be converted into Cartesian axial coordinates. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the axial thickness value of the lens comprises the difference between at least two measurements.