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AssigneeNovartis AG
InventorsStefan Bickert, Roland Hauck, Olaf Rothe, Roland Seibert, Hans Wörner, Peter Hagmann, Roger Biel
Estimating the term…
In an inspection module for inspecting optical parts (12) for defects, especially contact lenses manufactured as injection-moulded parts, the optical parts (12) are illuminated from one side and are observed from the opposite side by means of an image-resolving sensor (34). The image data of the sensor (34) are forwarded to image-processing means for identification of defects. To obtain a high throughput with a simple construction, a chain (52) of liquid-filled vessels (10) circulating in an endless line is provided. The endless line is passed in an inspection station (72) between an illumination device (32) and the image-resolving sensor (34). Handling means in the form of grippers (56, 58) revolve with the vessels (10), by means of which optical parts (12) to be inspected can be introduced into the vessels (10) at a position of the line upstream of the inspection station (72) and the inspected parts can be taken out of the vessels (10) at another position of the line.
An inspection module for inspecting optical parts for defects, having an inspection station and a succession of transport vessels circulating in an endless line which passes through the inspection station, wherein the inspection station comprises an illumination device, an image recognition sensor and means for image processing, the optical parts being illuminated from one side and being observed from the side lying opposite that side by means of an image-resolving sensor, and the image data of the sensor being forwarded to the image-processing means for identification of defects, wherein the optical parts are inspected directly in the transport vessels, wherein the transport vessels are open at the top, are filled with a liquid and are each closable by a transparent lid, wherein the transport vessels are closed by the transparent lid during passage through the inspection station in such a manner that the inside of the lid is wetted by the liquid, and wherein a handling means runs synchronously with each transport vessel, by means of which handling means each optical part to be inspected is introduced into a respective transport vessel at a position of the endless line upstream of the inspection station and the inspected part is taken out of the transport vessel at another position of the endless line.
An inspection apparatus for inspecting optical parts for defects, comprising a plurality of inspection modules, wherein each inspection module is connected by a respective computer to a network having a common server and includes an inspection station and a succession of transport vessels circulating in an endless line which passes through the inspection station, wherein the inspection station comprises an illumination device, an image recognition sensor and means for image processing, the optical parts being illuminated from one side and being observed from the side lying opposite that side by means of an image-resolving sensor, and the image data of the sensor being forwarded to the image-processing means for identification of defects, wherein the optical parts are inspected directly in the transport vessels, wherein the transport vessels are open at the top, are filled with a liquid and are each closable by a transparent lid, wherein the transport vessels are closed by the transparent lid during passage through the inspection station in such a manner that the inside of the lid is wetted by the liquid, and wherein a handling means runs synchronously with each transport vessel, by means of which handling means each optical part to be inspected is introduced into a respective transport vessel at a position of the endless line upstream of the inspection station and the inspected part is taken out of the transport vessel at another position of the endless line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.