Method and machine for etching optical lenses
AssigneeEssilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
InventorCedric LEMAIRE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for machining an optical lens via a trimming machine, includes:—a step of locking the optical lens,—a step of acquiring shape characteristics of the optical faces of the optical lens,—a step of generating an instruction for trimming the optical lens, and—a step of trimming the optical lens along a desired contour. The method also includes the following steps:—a step of generating an instruction for etching the optical lens depending on the acquired shape characteristics, and—a step of etching the optical lens along a line located inside the desired contour, during which a pointed etching tool of the trimming machine is controlled according to the etching instruction in such a way that the point of same continually slides against the optical face in order to score same along the line.
Claims22
A method for machining an optical lens by way of a trimming machine, comprising:
- a step of immobilizing said optical lens on immobilizing means of said trimming machine,
- a step of acquiring geometric characteristics relating to the shape of at least one of the optical faces of the optical lens,
- a step of defining trimming instructions for the optical lens as a function of the geometric characteristics acquired, and
- a step of trimming the optical lens around a desired outline, during which a trimming tool of the trimming machine is driven relative to said immobilizing means according to said trimming instructions,
- wherein said method further comprises:
- a step of defining etching instructions for said optical face of the optical lens as a function of the geometric characteristics acquired, and
- a step of etching said optical face of the optical lens along a line situated inside said desired outline, during which a sharp etching tool of said trimming machine is driven relative to said immobilizing means according to said etching instructions in such a way that its point slides continuously on said optical face in order to scratch it along said line.
A machine for trimming an optical lens, comprising:
- means for immobilizing the optical lens,
- a first acquisition means for acquiring geometric characteristics relating to the shape of at least one of the optical faces of the optical lens immobilized in said immobilizing means,
- a second acquisition means for acquiring trimming instructions for the optical lens,
- a trimming tool suitable for trimming the optical lens,
- a driving means suitable for driving said trimming tool relative to said immobilizing means according to said trimming instructions,
- wherein provision is made of an etching tool which comprises an abrasive point suitable for scoring said optical face of said optical lens,
- in that said second acquisition means is intended to acquire etching instructions for said optical face of the optical lens, and
- in that said driving means is intended to drive said etching tool relative to said immobilizing means according to said etching instructions in such a way that said point slides on said optical face in order to scratch it.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.