Universal lens polishing tool, polishing apparatus and method of polishing

A method for polishing a lens comprising:

• providing a lens to be polished;
• providing a deformable polishing tool;
• calculating a force-time product for the deforamable polishing tool as a function of the position of the tool for a plurality of discrete positions of the tool on the lens to produce a desired degree of polish on the lens;
• rotating the tool;
• contacting the lens with the tool;
• measuring the force between the lens and the tool;
• moving the tool among the plurality of positions;
• and
• holding the tool at each position until the product of the measured force and the time the tool is held in the position equals the calculated force-time product for such position.

A method for polishing a lens with a ring tool polisher comprising:

• determining the pressure distribution as a function of tool position on the lens;
• determining the relative velocity distribution as a function of tool position on the lens;
• calculating the wear function over the surface of the lens;
• calculating the force-time product for each position of the polisher with respect to the lens to produce the desired degree of polish on the lens;
• bringing the tool into contact with the lens;
• measuring the force between the tool and the lens;
• moving the tool relative to the lens so that the product of the time and force at each position of the tool is equal to the calculated force-time product.

Apparatus for polishing a lens comprising:

• lens holding means;
• a polishing tool;
• sensor means for measuring the force between the tool and the lens to be polished;
• means for storing a plurality of predetermined force-time products for a plurality of positions of the tool with respect to the lens;
• positioning means for moving the polishing tool relative to the surface of the lens to be polished;
• control means connected to the sensor means and the positioning means for supplying signals to the positioning means to move the polishing tool relative to the lens surface so that the product of the measured force and the time the tool contacts the lens at each of the positions equals the stored force-time product for such position.