Optical machine for processing and / or machining an optical workpiece and method for releasing its restraint

Abstract

An optical machine for processing and / or processing optical workpieces, comprising a frame on which a workpiece holding arrangement is movably supported and on which at least two processing and / or processing devices for processing and / or processing workpieces held in the workpiece holding arrangement are mounted. The workpiece holding arrangement comprises a plurality of partition walls which separate and delimit at least three workspaces from one another, which workspaces can be moved together with the workpiece holding arrangement to the processing and / or processing devices. Each workspace is assigned to a workpiece holder so that various workpieces can use the workspace in parallel. When used as a deconstraint device, each workspace can be shifted relative to the frame together with the workpiece holding arrangement in a movement cycle from a fixed loading station on the frame, through a fixed deconstraint and cleaning station spatially remote from the loading station and including the processing and / or processing devices, and back to the loading station, so that the workspace can be used simultaneously for various workpieces and different processes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to optical machines for handling and / or processing optical workpieces, such as eyeglass lenses. In particular, the present invention relates to a deconstraining device and a method for deconstraining such a workpiece from a constraining member, such as is widely employed in modern "RX shops," i.e., industrial production facilities for producing individual eyeglass lenses according to prescriptions. Background Art

[0002] In optical manufacturing, the term "constrained to" or simply "constrained" generally refers to a process in which an engineered workpiece is temporarily fastened to a so-called "constraint" with the aid of a suitable material (a low-melting-point alloy material, called an "alloy", or an adhesive) or a constraining material is applied to the workpiece to form a restraint itself, which is then used to hold the workpiece in the corresponding processing machine and / or coating system.

[0003] In the above-mentioned RX workshop, the spectacle lenses are first constrained on a large scale, and then each constrained spectacle lens is processed by material removal, with respect to its optical effect, at its back or front surface, using geometrically defined cutting (milling / turning) or geometrically undefined cutting (grinding / polishing), and / or at the edge, for assembly in the associated spectacle frame, and / or coated on its back or front surface to achieve additional effects (increased scratch resistance, anti-reflection, vapor deposition, hydrophobicity, etc.).

[0004] When reference is made hereinafter to the preferred field of use in connection with the present invention, generally "spectacles lenses", this is to be understood as meaning optical lenses or lens preforms (blanks) for spectacles made of conventional materials such as polycarbonate, mineral glass, CR 39, HI index, etc., which may have a peripheral edge of any (initial) shape of the lens or lens blank and which may, but need not, have undergone (initial) machining and / or (initial) coating on one or both optically active surfaces and / or edges before being constrained. Furthermore, the lens may be provided with a film, paint or the like on its surface which is constrained or to be constrained, in order to protect this surface from contamination and damage and / or to improve the adhesion properties between the eye lens and the constraining material, which is not specifically mentioned in each case below.

[0005] In optical production, the process opposite to "constraint" is called "deconstraint", in which the optical workpiece is separated again from the constraining member / constraining material after its (final) machining (at the surface and / or at the edge) and / or its coating. In order to deconstrain the spectacle lens, a pressure medium such as water is usually used in the prior art in order to detach the spectacle lens from the constraining member by applying a hydraulic force. In this regard, a technical method has been established in which the hydraulic force is applied from the "outside", and in particular by a high-pressure water jet, which is delivered by a nozzle and impinges on the edge position between the constraining member and the spectacle lens (for example, WO 2008 / 003805 A1, Figure 1 , Water jet 7; DE 10 2009 048590A1, Figure 5 , High-pressure water jet HDS; DE 10 2010 010 334 A1, Figure 6 , high pressure water jet H).

[0006] Typically, prior art optical machines for handling and / or processing optical workpieces such as spectacle lenses usually have a holding arrangement for the optical workpieces, which is mounted on a machine frame, and at least one, optionally even several, processing and / or machining devices, which are mounted on the machine frame, for handling and / or machining the optical workpieces held in the workpiece holding arrangement in a workspace, in which case a relative movement between the workpiece holding arrangement and the corresponding processing and / or machining device can be used in particular for handling and / or machining the optical workpieces in the workspace.

[0007] For the special case of unconstraining an optical workpiece such as a spectacle lens from an associated constraining member, for example, document DE 10 2009 048 590 A1 discloses a unconstraining device, which includes a first motion device (a motor spindle with a chuck) for rotating the spectacle lens, which is constrained to the constraining member around the rotation axis of the workpiece as a part of the unconstraining device for holding the workpiece, a nozzle assembly with a nozzle for delivering a high-pressure water jet in a direction essentially transverse to the rotation axis of the workpiece to an edge area between the spectacle lens and the constraining member, which serves as a first processing device of the unconstraining device, and a second motion device for generating a relative movement between the spectacle lens and the nozzle along the rotation axis of the workpiece.

[0008] In this case, the spectacle lens can be moved relative to the nozzle in a position-controlled manner along the axis of rotation of the workpiece by means of a second movement device, or conversely, the nozzle can be moved relative to the spectacle lens, so that the high-pressure water jet is directed to a predetermined impact point in the edge region between the spectacle lens and the restraining member. As a result, the high-pressure water jet does not impinge more or less randomly on the separation point between the restraining member and the restraining material, or on the separation point between the restraining material and the spectacle lens, but, due to the relative (height) adjustability between the nozzle and the restraining member, can be aligned under CNC guidance at the corresponding separation point, which enables rapid deconstraining and makes the device particularly suitable for use in RX workshops.

[0009] Furthermore, in this prior art, in order to clean the unconstrained spectacle lens, a further nozzle can be provided for delivering a further rotating high-pressure jet, which serves as a second treatment device of the unconstraining device, in particular for stripping from the spectacle lens any constraining material that may still adhere to the unconstrained spectacle lens. In this prior art unconstraining device, the suction device with the suction head forms another component of the workpiece holding arrangement, which serves to hold the spectacle lens at its end surface during unconstraining from the constraining member.

[0010] Finally, and building on this prior art, document DE 10 2017 001 679 A1 discloses a device for releasing a lens from a restraining member, on which the lens is restrained by means of a restraining material, wherein the restraining side of the lens is optionally provided with a protective coating or film. This prior art device generally comprises a working space, a first retaining device for rotatably retaining the lens in the working space, a second retaining device for rotatably retaining the restraining member in the working space, and a plurality of nozzle devices for delivering fluid jets into the working space.

[0011] In order to enable rapid deconstraint at a high output, the prior art proposes, in particular, the provision of three nozzle devices for generating a first, a second and an additional fluid jet in the working space, wherein the first fluid jet can be used to detach the lens and, if present, a protective layer from the constraining material, the second fluid jet is used to remove the constraining material from the constraining member, and the additional fluid jet is used to remove the protective layer and / or the constraining material from the lens.

[0012] Although in this prior art, the second holding device for rotationally holding the restraining member in a predetermined relative position relative to the three nozzle devices is arranged at a fixed position in the workspace, the first holding device for rotationally holding the lens in the workspace can be pivoted out of the workspace together with the unconstrained lens, that is, pivoted away from the unconstrained restraining member. As a result, the unconstraining device of this construction is capable of placing a lens constrained on a restraining member in the workspace, unconstraining the lens from the restraining member in the workspace, cleaning the unconstrained lens and the unconstrained restraining member in the workspace, and sequentially removing the unconstrained lens from the workspace and removing the unconstrained restraining member from the workspace. However, it is expected that a higher throughput is expected in unconstraining a large number of lenses, such as occurs in an RX workshop. Summary of the Invention

[0013] In particular, the object of the present invention is to propose a device and a method for unconstraining an optical workpiece, in particular a spectacle lens, from an associated constraining element, which device and method allow the workpiece to be unconstrained as quickly as possible. In general, the object of the present invention is to create an optical machine for handling and / or processing optical workpieces, in particular spectacle lenses, by which the highest possible throughput of workpieces can be achieved in an industrial production environment.

[0014] This object is generally achieved by an optical machine for handling and / or processing an optical workpiece, such as a spectacle lens, according to the features of the present invention, or in particular by a deconstraining device and method for deconstraining an optical workpiece, such as a spectacle lens, from an associated constraining member according to the present invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below.

[0015] According to the present invention, in an optical machine for processing and / or processing optical workpieces, in particular spectacle lenses, the optical machine comprises a frame and at least two processing and / or processing devices, a workpiece holding arrangement is movably mounted on the frame, at least two processing and / or processing devices are mounted on the frame for processing and / or processing the workpieces held in the workpiece holding arrangement, the workpiece holding arrangement comprising a plurality of partition walls which separate and delimit at least three working spaces from one another, each working space being associated with a respective workpiece holder for the parallel use of different optical workpieces, wherein the working spaces are movable relative to the frame together with the workpiece holding arrangement such that each working space can be selectively displaced from a loading station for the optical workpieces having a fixed position at the frame to a processing and / or processing station which is three-dimensionally spaced apart from the loading station and comprises the processing and / or processing devices, and vice versa.

[0016] According to the present invention, in particular in the case of a unconstraining device for unconstraining optical workpieces, in particular eyeglass lenses, from associated constraining members, it comprises a loading station, an unconstraining station and a cleaning station, the loading station being used to load the optical workpiece, which is constrained on the constraining member and then, after unconstraint, to unconstrain and / or unload the unconstrained optical workpiece and / or constraining member, the unconstraining station serving as a processing station for unconstraining the optical workpiece from the corresponding associated constraining member, and the cleaning station serving as a processing station for cleaning the unconstrained workpiece and / or constraining member, each workspace together with the workpiece holding arrangement can be displaced in a movement cycle from the loading station, via the unconstraining station and the cleaning station, to the loading station, so that the workspace can be used for different optical workpieces and different processes at the same time.

[0017] As for the method, according to the present invention, a method for unconstraining an optical workpiece, in particular an eyeglass lens, from an associated constraining member comprises the following steps: i) placing the optical workpiece constrained on the constraining member into a unconstraining device, which is a first manipulation step, ii) unconstraining the optical workpiece from the constraining member in the unconstraining device, iii) removing the unconstrained optical workpiece from the unconstraining device, which is a second manipulation step, and iv) removing or taking out the constraining member separated from the optical workpiece from the unconstraining device, which is a third manipulation step, it is further provided that the above-mentioned unconstraining step ii) and at least one of the above-mentioned manipulation steps i), iii) and iv) are performed simultaneously for different optical workpieces or constraining members, and after the unconstraining step ii) and before the manipulation steps iii) and / or iv), the unconstrained optical workpiece and / or constraining member is subjected to a cleaning step v), wherein the cleaning step v) and at least the unconstraining step ii) are performed simultaneously for different optical workpieces or constraining members.

[0018] Essentially, the device of the present invention is based on the provision of a workpiece holding arrangement that is movable relative to a fixed frame of a corresponding optical machine, the particular characteristic of which is that it physically defines a plurality of workspaces in which several optical workpieces can be processed and / or machined simultaneously at a plurality of processing and / or machining stations distributed along the frame. Simultaneously therewith, workspaces in which no optical workpiece processing and / or machining is taking place can be loaded with new optical workpieces or used to unload already manipulated and / or machined optical workpieces at loading stations, which are also arranged at the frame and physically separate from the processing and / or machining stations. In this case, each workspace of the workpiece holding arrangement can be moved from one station to another and is equipped with at least one workpiece holder, i.e., the physically separate workspaces are thus constructed to the same extent, so that each workspace can be used at each station (loading station, processing and / or machining station).

[0019] Thus, for example, in the case of the above-described unconstraining device, a first optical workpiece constrained to a restraining member can be loaded into the working space of the workpiece holding arrangement at a loading station, and / or a second unconstrained optical workpiece and / or the unconstrained restraining member can be simultaneously unloaded from the working space of the workpiece holding arrangement at the loading station, while a third optical workpiece is unconstrained from the associated restraining member in the working space present at the unconstraining station of the workpiece holding arrangement, and a fourth optical workpiece is cleaned in the working space present at the cleaning station of the workpiece holding arrangement. In this case, each individual optical workpiece passes through an individual processing step in sequence, but the processing steps of different optical workpieces are performed simultaneously.

[0020] This embodiment of the deconstraint device also allows the implementation of the method according to the invention, which is essentially based on the following: for different optical workpieces or constrained members, at least the deconstraint step ii) is performed simultaneously with at least one of the manipulation steps i), iii) and iv) and / or the cleaning step v), so that at least two processing steps are carried out in parallel in time during the deconstraint. By comparison with the prior art outlined in the introduction, in which no further process steps could be performed during the deconstraint, this already makes it possible to significantly increase the throughput of the optical workpieces. If, in addition to the deconstraint step ii), two or more further process steps are performed simultaneously, the throughput can be significantly further increased. This high throughput performance level makes the optical machine according to the invention and the deconstraint method according to the invention suitable for use in industrial manufacturing environments, in which very large numbers of optical workpieces are produced for processing or machining.

[0021] In addition to using this optical machine concept for releasing optical workpieces from associated restraints, other applications in optical production are of course also conceivable, in which different optical workpieces undergo at least two processing and / or machining steps. Thus, for example, an optical machine according to the present invention can be used for pre-edging (cribbing) of optical lenses, in particular spectacle lenses. In addition to a loading station for loading or unloading optical lenses undergoing (pre-)edging, such an optical machine also has, for example, at least two physically separate machining stations and associated machining devices, in which a first material-removing edge machining step or a second material-removing edge machining step takes place. The first material-removing edge machining step can be used, for example, to reduce the diameter of a circular spectacle lens blank, while the second material-removing edge machining step is provided for, for example, adjusting the first shape of the edge profile of the spectacle lens blank to a shape that differs from the circular shape, approximates the final shape of the spectacle lens, and / or for edge refraction at the spectacle lens blank. Using the optical machine concept according to the present invention, these process steps can be carried out simultaneously for different optical workpieces without the need for re-clamping the optical workpieces, thereby achieving very high throughput levels. The time and throughput gains that can be achieved with the optical machine concept according to the invention compared to prior art optical machines are greatest when the individual process steps are essentially of the same length, so that no or hardly any dead times occur at the individual handling and / or processing stations, wherein no optical workpieces are handled and / or processed.

[0022] If a relative movement between the optical workpiece and the respective processing and / or processing device is desired or necessary during one of the processing and / or processing steps in the respective processing and / or processing station, provision can be made for the workpiece holders of the workpiece holding arrangement to be mounted so as to be rotatable about their longitudinal axis in order to achieve this relative movement in the simplest possible manner. Alternatively, however, the workpiece holders of the workpiece holding arrangement can also be designed to be fixed relative to the respective workspace if the respective processing and / or processing device is capable of generating a relative movement relative to the optical workpiece, for example by "moving around" the optical workpiece held on the respective workpiece holder.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the optical machine, the workpiece holding arrangement includes a rotatable workpiece holder that can be driven for selective rotation about its longitudinal axis. For this purpose, a rotary drive is associated with at least one processing and / or machining station, which is mounted on a machine frame and drivably connected to the workpiece holder present in the corresponding processing and / or machining station via a clutch. Thus, only those processing and / or machining stations are equipped with fixed-position rotary drives for the workpiece holders at which a rotational movement of the workpiece holder is necessary or desired in accordance with the relevant processing or machining requirements. In principle, a separate rotary drive could also be provided for each workpiece holder, but such an embodiment of the optical machine would be significantly more expensive because the rotary drive would have to be moved along with the workspace, which in some cases would also require complex energy management, and even a separate rotary drive would have to be allocated to each working air chamber.

[0024] In principle, it is conceivable to move the individual working spaces of an optical machine, for example, in a square arrangement with associated linear axes of motion, in a chain-like loop, or the like. However, it is preferable to construct the optical machine so that the working spaces of the workpiece-holding arrangement, together with their workpiece holders, are arranged to rotate about a common axis of rotation. This allows for a very compact design of the optical machine, with advantageously short paths for moving the working spaces, and furthermore facilitates precise positioning of the working spaces at the respective processing and / or machining stations, since the individual components associated with the working spaces, such as the workpiece holders, remain in position relative to the axis of rotation. It is then only necessary to provide an angle sensor at the axis of rotation for precise positioning of the working spaces.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the concept of the present invention, the workpiece holding arrangement can be configured as a drum, having two mutually opposing end walls with a partition wall separating the working spaces arranged between them, wherein the axis of rotation extends through the end walls. Alternatively, a turntable arrangement can be envisioned, with workpiece holders on the end faces of the turntable spaced angularly evenly about the axis of rotation. However, a drum arrangement offers the advantage that the separation or delimitation of the individual working spaces by the partition wall between the end walls is easier to implement. In an advantageous embodiment of such a drum arrangement, provision can be made for the first end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement to carry the workpiece holder.

[0026] Furthermore, depending on the respective processing or machining requirements, the optical machine can be designed such that the second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement, which is constructed in a drum-like manner, carries a workpiece counterholder aligned with the workpiece holder. Thus, for example, during the respective processing and / or machining, the optical workpiece can be fixed in a simple manner by means of the counterholder in the corresponding working space, which is not possible with the likewise conceivable "cantilever" mounting, i.e., at one end of the optical workpiece on the workpiece holder.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the optical machine, the workpiece mating holders of the workpiece holding arrangement are mounted so as to be rotatable about their respective longitudinal axes. In particular, provision can also be made for the workpiece mating holders of the workpiece holding arrangement to be selectively driven so as to be rotated about their longitudinal axes, for which purpose a rotary drive is associated with at least one of the processing and / or machining stations, which rotary drive is mounted on the machine frame and can be drivingly connected to the workpiece mating holder present in the respective processing and / or machining station via a clutch. The above-mentioned statements regarding the preferred rotary design and arrangement of the workpiece holders and their rotary drive(s) apply accordingly.

[0028] Furthermore, the workpiece pair holders of the workpiece holding arrangement can each be axially displaced along their longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation, depending on the respective processing or machining requirements. Alternatively (or in addition), the workpiece holders of the workpiece holding arrangement can also be axially displaced along their longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation. However, this is less preferred, particularly with regard to the stability of the arrangement.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, it is preferably provided that the workpiece pair holders of the workpiece holding arrangement can be axially displaced independently of one another by means of their associated pneumatic cylinders. In principle, it is also possible to generate the axial movement of the workpiece pair holders, for example, by means of an electric drive. However, this would entail higher costs, particularly if the workpiece pair holders are also rotatable. In addition to the relatively small installation space requirements, the provision of pneumatic cylinders also offers the advantage of a constant force across the entire stroke of the cylinders, which facilitates fine sensitivity of the corresponding axial movement.

[0030] Furthermore, the workpiece pair holders of the workpiece holding arrangement can each be provided with a suction head for holding the optical workpiece at their end protruding into the respective workspace. While a gripper can be provided as an alternative to a suction head, this presupposes that the edges of the optical workpiece to be gripped are not covered. In contrast, a suction head advantageously allows engagement with the end face of the optical workpiece. Furthermore, the suction head is advantageously lightweight and may not have any mechanically movable components that are subject to wear or require maintenance.

[0031] With regard to the energy supply to the pneumatic components within the scope described, it can further be provided that the pneumatic supply to the workpiece holder of the workpiece holding arrangement, the pneumatic cylinder and / or the suction head, which are rotatable together with the second end wall about the axis of rotation, is provided by means of a common rotary joint, which is supported to prevent rotation relative to the machine frame. In a particularly simple, compact, and easily serviceable arrangement, the common rotary joint is preferably located at the second end wall, close to the counter-workpiece holder. However, the rotary joints for the pneumatic cylinder and the suction head can also, in principle, be located on the first end wall or separately between the two end walls; however, this is less preferred, particularly due to the associated costs.

[0032] Regarding the torque transmission from the respective rotary drive to the workpiece holder and / or the workpiece counterholder, the securing clutch can be a mechanical form-fitting clutch or a force-locking clutch, depending on the requirements of the respective process or machining. If the rotational angle of the optical workpiece held in the workpiece holder is important in the respective process or machining, a mechanical form-fitting clutch can be provided, for example by providing a sliding block on the workpiece holder that mechanically form-fits into a complementary sliding groove of a clamp provided in the rotary drive. On the other hand, if the rotational angle of the optical workpiece held in the workpiece holder is not important in the respective process or machining, a magnetic clutch that transmits force across an air gap can be provided as a force-locking clutch, for example.

[0033] If the machine concept described above is used, for example, in a deconstraining device for deconstraining optical workpieces, such as spectacle lenses, from associated restraining members, then the deconstraining station of the deconstraining device preferably comprises a first nozzle subassembly with a first high-pressure nozzle as a first processing device for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for deconstraining the optical workpiece from the associated restraining member. In principle, it is also conceivable to deconstrain the optical workpiece from the associated restraining member mechanically, for example by means of suitable cutting, etc., but this is particularly less preferred with regard to process safety and good controllability of the deconstraining process.

[0034] In order to enable the fastest and most reliable unconstraining by means of a high-pressure pressure medium jet, it is particularly advantageous if the first high-pressure nozzle for delivering the high-pressure pressure medium jet for unconstraining the optical workpiece from the corresponding associated restraining element can be adjusted in situ in terms of its axial position and / or its adjustment angle relative to the restrained optical workpiece held in the unconstraining station by the workpiece holding arrangement. Compared to possible alternative fluid-based unconstraining solutions that do not have corresponding geometrical setting options for the high-pressure nozzle, this setting option offers the advantage that during the unconstraining process, the high-pressure pressure medium jet can be directed or appropriately tracked to a specific point between the workpiece and the restraining element in a targeted manner to accelerate unconstraining.

[0035] Furthermore, in the case of the aforementioned machine concept used in the deconstraint device, the above statements regarding the deconstraint station apply correspondingly to the cleaning station of the deconstraint device. Thus, for example, mechanical cleaning by, for example, a brush or cleaning by ultrasound can be performed in the cleaning station. However, on the other hand, it is preferred that the cleaning station has a second nozzle subassembly as a second processing device, which second nozzle subassembly has a second high-pressure nozzle for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the deconstrained workpiece and / or the constraining part. It is also particularly preferred that, in order to speed up the cleaning process at the workpiece and the constraining part, the cleaning station has a third nozzle subassembly as a third processing device, which third nozzle subassembly has a third high-pressure nozzle for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the constraining part and / or the deconstrained workpiece. Thus, the second high-pressure nozzle can advantageously be directed, for example, onto the deconstrained workpiece, while the third high-pressure nozzle is aimed at the deconstrained constraining part, thereby cleaning the workpiece and the constraining part simultaneously.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the deconstraining device, the loading station further comprises a first substation for loading the optical workpiece constrained on the restraining member before deconstraining and for unloading the restraining member after deconstraining, and a second substation for unloading the deconstrained optical workpiece after deconstraining. Compared to a possible alternative loading station without two substations, the above-described configuration of the deconstraining device advantageously allows for parallelization of processes, wherein, for example, unloading of a deconstrained optical workpiece can occur simultaneously with unloading of a deconstrained optical workpiece, or loading of another optical workpiece in a constrained state.

[0037] In this respect, it is particularly preferred that the second substation for unloading the deconstrained optical workpiece after deconstraint comprises means for drying the deconstrained optical workpiece as a further processing means. If the deconstraint step ii) and / or the cleaning step v) described above then take place with the aid of at least one high-pressure pressure medium jet, the deconstrained optical workpiece can advantageously be dried simultaneously during the handling step iii), thereby again allowing the different processing steps to be performed simultaneously.

[0038] For drying the unconstrained optical workpiece, a method can be used, for example, in which water droplets are centrifugally removed by rotating the manipulated optical workpiece or water droplets are automatically wiped off the optical workpiece by a suitable textile material. However, with regard to a high level of process safety, i.e., a low risk of damage to the unconstrained optical workpiece during drying, it is particularly preferred that the device for drying the unconstrained optical workpiece comprises a workpiece holder and at least one air nozzle, by which the unconstrained optical workpiece can be clamped, wherein the workpiece holder and the air nozzle are movable relative to each other so that, for drying the unconstrained optical workpiece clamped by the workpiece holder, an air flow delivered by the air nozzle can guide or wipe the optical workpiece.

[0039] Finally, it is preferred, in particular with regard to a rapid and continuous deconstraining process of multiple optical workpieces without the need for occasional interruptions of the machine for maintenance and cleaning purposes, that there is at least one separate cleaning nozzle associated with the deconstraining station and / or the cleaning station for delivering a low-pressure jet of pressure medium for cleaning the corresponding station, and / or that there is a funnel-shaped housing section arranged below the deconstraining station and the cleaning station for jointly collecting pressure medium, deconstraining material and other residues for preparation or disposal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are partially simplified or schematic and not drawn to scale, and in which:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view from obliquely above / left front of a deconstraining device according to the invention for deconstraining an optical workpiece, i.e. a spectacle lens, from an associated constraining element, with a view of a loading station for loading the spectacle lens, which is constrained on the constraining element and then deconstrained, and for unloading the deconstrained spectacle lens and the constraining element after respectively deconstraining into or out of a working space of a central workpiece holding arrangement;

[0042] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A perspective view of the release device viewed from obliquely above / right front;

[0043] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 The release device from Figure 2 A similar perspective view of Figure 1 and 2, with various components and subassemblies omitted to reveal a view of a workpiece holding arrangement mounted in a machine frame and of a drum-like configuration with loading and handling stations grouped thereabout (deconstraint station, cleaning station) and a funnel-shaped housing section located therebelow;

[0044] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 A front view of the unrestraint device, which is Figure 3 simplification;

[0045] Figure 5 Shown is the corresponding Figure 4 The basis of the section line V-V in Figure 1 an upwardly broken sectional view of a deconstraint device having four working spaces of a workpiece holding arrangement of drum-like construction separated by partition walls and, on a first end wall thereof, the first section of the wall carrying four workpiece holders associated with the working spaces;

[0046] Figure 6 Shown according to the corresponding Figure 4 The section line VI-VI in Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraining device separated from the frame;

[0047] Figure 7 Shows the view from the upper right / front right. Figure 1 a perspective view of a workpiece holding arrangement with a frame of the unconstraining device and a funnel-shaped housing segment located therebelow, a view of a second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement having a drum-like configuration and one of four mating workpiece holders mounted on the second end wall and respectively associated with a work space;

[0048] Figure 8 Shows the view from above / left front Figure 1 A perspective view of the workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraint device separated from the frame, without the funnel-shaped housing section located below it, with a distance from Figure 7 A side view of the working space of the second end wall is shown, and a mounting arrangement for mounting a workpiece mating holder thereon;

[0049] Figure 9 Shows the view from above / left rear Figure 1 a perspective view of a workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraining device separated from the machine frame, with a view of the second substation of the loading station, comprising a pivot mechanism of a workpiece holder for unloading unconstrained eyeglass lenses, the pivot mechanism being arranged in this case in a position in which the workpiece holder is pivoted into a working space opposite the second substation of the loading station;

[0050] Figure 10 Shown according to Figure 1 The workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraint device is separated from the frame and Figure 9 a perspective view corresponding to a viewing angle of 1, wherein the workpiece gripper of the pivoting mechanism for gripping the spectacle lens is arranged in a position rotated out of the working space so as to expose the device for drying the unconstrained and cleaned spectacle lens in the second substation of the loading station;

[0051] Figure 11 Shown from Figure 4 The basis for the right side observation Figure 1 A side view of the workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraint device separated from the machine frame, which is Figure 8 simplification;

[0052] Figure 12 Shown is the corresponding Figure 11 The angled section line XII-XII in Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a workpiece holding arrangement of a deconstraint device, with views of a deconstraint station and a cleaning station of the deconstraint device;

[0053] Figure 13 Shows the view from the lower right side. Figure 1 a perspective view of a workpiece holding arrangement of a deconstraining device separated from the machine frame without a fixed housing for the workpiece holding arrangement, in particular in order to generally illustrate the rotary drive for the workpiece holder at the first end wall, the workpiece counter-holder at the second end wall and the roller-shaped workpiece holding arrangement;

[0054] Figure 14 Shows the view from above / right front Figure 1 a perspective view, broken away from the left, of the workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraining device separated from the machine frame, showing a view of the adjustment device for setting the axial position and the adjustment angle of the first high-pressure nozzle of the unconstraining station;

[0055] Figure 15 Shown is a diagram for viewing from the upper left / front left. Figure 1 The first high-pressure nozzle of the unconstraining station of the unconstraining device, Figure 14 A perspective view of the separated adjustment device shown in ;

[0056] Figure 16 Shown is a diagram for viewing from the lower left / left rear. Figure 1 The first high-pressure nozzle of the unconstraining station of the unconstraining device, Figure 15 A perspective view of the separated adjustment device shown in ;

[0057] Figure 17Shows the view from the upper left / left rear, based on Figure 1 A perspective view of the workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraining device separated from the frame, with no corresponding Figure 13 , a stationary housing for a workpiece holding arrangement shown in , with a side view of the working space facing away from a second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement;

[0058] Figure 18 Shows the view from above / left front Figure 1 A perspective view of the workpiece holding arrangement of the unconstraint device, which is Figure 17 Simplification, wherein the workpiece pair holder is arranged in the second working space in a position moved out by the associated pneumatic cylinder;

[0059] Figure 19 Shows the view from above / left front Figure 1 a perspective view of a second end wall of a workpiece holding arrangement of a deconstraint device, wherein for reasons of greater clarity only one of the four mating workpiece holder assemblies mounted at the second end wall is shown;

[0060] Figure 20 Shown as viewed from the upper right / front right Figure 1 A perspective view of the second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement of the deconstraint device, which is Figure 19 simplification;

[0061] Figure 21 Shown from Figure 4 The basis of the left side observation Figure 1 A side view of a second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement of the deconstraint device, which is Figure 19 simplification;

[0062] Figure 22 Shown according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement of the deconstraint device, corresponding to Figure 21 A plurality of angled cutting lines XXII-XXII in Figure 19 simplification; and

[0063] Figure 23 Shows the settings Figure 1 Circuit diagram of the pneumatic supply for the pneumatic cylinder and the suction head of the workpiece counterholder at the second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement of the restraining device.

[0064] It should also be noted with respect to the figures that the unrestraint device according to the invention is illustrated in a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system, in which the letter z denotes the height direction of the unrestraint device, the letter y denotes the width direction, and the letter x denotes the length direction. In the figures, for the sake of clarity of the essential components or subassemblies of the unrestraint device and to simplify the representation, in particular, parts of the cladding, the supply means for electricity, compressed air, and water as a pressure medium (including lines, hoses, and pipes), the suction device, as well as the measuring, maintenance, and safety devices have been largely omitted from the figures, since they do not appear to be necessary for understanding the invention and, in any case, would be familiar to a person skilled in the art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The release device is usually Figures 1 to 5 The reference AV in the figure indicates that it is, for example, an optical machine for handling and / or processing optical workpieces, for unconstraining an optical workpiece, such as a spectacle lens L, from an associated constraining member B. The unconstraining device AV comprises a machine frame MG, on which, as a core element of the unconstraining device AV, a specially constructed workpiece holding arrangement WH is movably mounted at a center point, which arrangement will be described in more detail below.

[0066] If you can Figure 5 As can be seen particularly clearly in FIG, the different stations of the unconstraining device AV are grouped in fixed positions around the workpiece holding arrangement WH at the machine frame MG. These stations are initially the loading station PS at the top, including the first substation PS1 (at Figure 5 on the right side of the center), for loading the eyeglass lens L constrained on the constraint B before releasing the constraint, and for unloading the constraint B after releasing the constraint, and the second sub-station PS2 (on ... Figure 5 The unconstrained spectacle lens L is unloaded after the unconstrained spectacle lens L is unloaded. In the three-dimensional space from the loading station PS, below the loading station PS, a unconstraining station DS is installed on the rack MG (in Figure 5 ), which serves as a first processing station for unconstraining the eyeglass lens L from the corresponding associated constraint B, and a cleaning station CS (on the right side of Figure 5 ), which serves as another processing station for cleaning the unconstrained eyeglass lens L and the restraining member B.

[0067] Especially according to Figure 5 、 12 14 to 16, the unbinding station DS comprises a first nozzle assembly DB1 as a first processing device, the first nozzle assembly DB1 having a first high-pressure nozzle HD1 for delivering a jet of high-pressure pressure medium to unbind the eyeglass lens L from the corresponding associated restraint B. As will be referred to later Figures 14 to 16As explained, the first nozzle assembly DB1 is movably mounted on the machine frame MG such that the first high-pressure nozzle HD1 can be adjusted in situ in its axial position and its adjustment angle relative to the constrained spectacle lens L held in the deconstraining station DS by the workpiece holding arrangement WH.

[0068] Especially according to Figure 5 and 12 The cleaning station CS comprises as a second treatment device a second nozzle assembly DB2 with a second high-pressure nozzle HD2 for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the unconstrained spectacle lens L. Figure 5 and 12 As can be seen in FIG, the cleaning station CS further comprises a third nozzle assembly DB3 as a third processing device, the third nozzle assembly DB3 having a third high-pressure nozzle HD3 for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the restraint B. The high-pressure nozzles HD2 and HD3 of the cleaning station CS are mounted in a fixed position relative to the machine frame MG, but a limited manual adjustment possibility of the high-pressure nozzles HD2 and HD3 is provided in order to direct them onto the restrained eyeglass lens L or the restraint B held in the workpiece holding arrangement WH.

[0069] The hydraulic supply of the nozzle subassemblies DB1, DB2, DB3 is carried out by means of a hydraulic arrangement HA, according to Figure 1 and 2 The hydraulic arrangement HA is mounted in the lower region on the machine frame MG, laterally below the workpiece holding arrangement WH. The hydraulic arrangement HA generally comprises a pump unit PE, by means of which temperature-controlled water as the pressure medium can be conveyed from a tank T to the nozzle subassemblies DB1, DB2, DB3 by means of a distribution device VE of the hydraulic arrangement HA. In addition, the low-pressure nozzles ND1 and ND2 are connected to the hydraulic arrangement HA, according to Figure 5 and 12 , a hydraulic arrangement HA is associated with the deconstraining station DS and the cleaning station CS in order to deliver jets of pressure medium at low pressure for cleaning the respective stations DS, CS.

[0070] The hydraulic arrangement HA is the subject of the parallel German patent application DE 10 2019 006 505.0, filed with the same application date and entitled “Hydraulic arrangement of a device for releasing an optical workpiece, in particular a spectacle lens, from an associated constraining member”, to which reference is explicitly made for more detailed details on the structure and function of the hydraulic arrangement HA in order to avoid repetition.

[0071] The transfer station TS for storing the eyeglass lens L restrained on the restraining member B, the unrestrained eyeglass lens L and the restraining member B is arranged at approximately the same height as the workpiece holding arrangement WH and at Figure 1 and 2 The right side of the workpiece holding arrangement WH is adjacent to the workpiece holding arrangement WH. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer station TS of the deconstraining device AV comprises a conveyor belt FB mounted on the machine frame MG for transporting a work pallet RK in a transport direction R. The work pallet RK is used to receive a spectacle lens L constrained to a restraining member B, a deconstrained spectacle lens L, and a restraining member B.

[0072] The loading system LS is installed above the workpiece holding arrangement WH and the transfer station TS at the frame MG. Through the loading system LS, the eyeglass lens L constrained on the constraint B, the unconstrained eyeglass lens L and the constraint B can be transported between the loading station PS and the transfer station TS provided at the workpiece holding arrangement WH, and can be placed in or removed from the corresponding stations TS, PS. The loading system LS generally includes a carrier TR, which can be moved in the moving plane x-y by means of two linear guide units LF1, LF2, and carries three holders H1, H2, H3 that can be moved in the lateral direction z relative to the moving plane x-y. Among them, the first holder H1 (in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) is assigned to the spectacle lens L constrained on the constraint B, the second holder H2 is assigned to the unconstrained spectacle lens L, and the third holder H3 is assigned to the constraint B. The loading system LS is characterized in that the linear guide units LF1, LF2 are constructed and arranged in the form of an H-shaped stage with two fixed drive motors AM1, AM2 for driving the traction element ZG in the same or opposite directions, which are movably arranged in an H-shape at the linear guide units LF1, LF2 and attached to the carrier TR.

[0073] The loading system LS is the subject of the parallel German patent application DE 10 2019 006 503.4, filed with the same filing date and entitled “Loading system for an optical machine, in particular for loading and unloading optical workpieces such as spectacle lenses, and a restraining device comprising such a loading system”, to which reference is expressly made here for the more detailed structure and function of the loading system LS in order to avoid repetition.

[0074] in addition, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Shown is a control cabinet SS for the unrestraining device AV, which is arranged behind the machine frame MG, and a suction device SU, which is located adjacent to the right and in contact with the loading station PS and the cleaning station CS (the corresponding housing windows can be seen in FIG. Figure 5Below the deconstraint and cleaning stations DS, CS, which are themselves positioned below the loading station PS in order to drain the water required for the process as well as possible, a funnel-shaped housing section TG is arranged, which serves to collect the pressure medium, the constrained material and other residues for preparation or disposal, such as Figures 1 to 5 and 7. Finally, Figure 1 and 2 At the left front of the machine frame MG, a control panel BF is fixed to the machine frame MG, by means of which control panel BF the unrestraining device AV can be controlled.

[0075] Further details of the workpiece holding arrangement WH can be found in Figures 5 to 14 and 17 to 22 are inferred. Figure 5 Firstly, it is particularly shown that the workpiece holding arrangement WH is characterized in that the workpiece holding arrangement WH comprises a plurality of partition walls TW, which separate and delimit four work spaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 (also identified in the figures by the Roman numerals II, III II, III III and IV IV applied at the rear) from one another. In this case, in order to use different eyeglass lenses L in parallel, each work space AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 is assigned a separate workpiece holder CH, here in the form of a chuck. As will be explained in more detail below, the work spaces AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4 can be moved together with the workpiece holding arrangement WH relative to the frame MG, so that each work space AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4 can be moved optionally from a loading station PS fixed at the frame MG to a processing or machining station DS, CS physically separated from the loading station, and vice versa. More precisely, each work space AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 can be moved together with the workpiece holding arrangement WH in a movement cycle (given by Figure 5 The central circular arrow in the figure indicates displacement from the loading station PS ( Figure 5 The first substation PS1 of the loading station PS (in the upper right quadrant) returns to the first substation PS1 of the loading station PS via the unconstraining station DS (lower right quadrant), the cleaning station CS (lower left quadrant) and the second substation PS2 (upper left quadrant) of the loading station PS, so that the workspaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 can be used for different eyeglass lenses L and different processes (loading, unconstraining, cleaning, unloading) at the same time.

[0076] For this purpose, the working spaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH together with their workpiece holders CH are arranged rotatable about a common rotation axis RA. The overall result is a drum-like configuration of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, as can be seen in FIG. Figure 13 、 17As can be easily seen in FIG. 18 , it has two opposite end walls SW1, SW2, between which a partition wall TW is arranged that separates the working spaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4. In this respect, the rotation axis RA passes through the end walls SW1, SW2 that are parallel to each other, in particular according to Figure 5 and 12 The end walls SW1 and SW2 are fixedly connected together by means of a central hub section NA.

[0077] Although the first end wall SW1 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH of drum-like construction carries the workpiece holder CH, Figure 17 and 18 It is easy to see in the Figure 13 The second end wall SW2 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH carries a workpiece pairing holder WC aligned with the workpiece holder CH. This alignment of the workpiece holder CH and the workpiece pairing holder WC, achieved by the precision of the production components of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, is always maintained, even if the corresponding workpiece holder CH or workpiece pairing holder WC is replaced. Not only the workpiece holder CH, but also the workpiece pairing holder WC are each additionally mounted so as to be rotatable about their longitudinal axis LA1 or LA2. In other words, the result is a circular arrangement of four pairs of spindles, which are evenly spaced angularly from each other about the rotation axis RA. In addition, each workpiece pairing holder WC can be axially displaced along its longitudinal axis LA2, which is parallel to the rotation axis RA. In this regard, each workpiece pairing holder WC is provided with a suction head SH at its end protruding into the corresponding working space AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4, for holding the eyeglass lens L.

[0078] Before discussing further details of the workpiece holder CH and the counter-workpiece holder WC and their movement possibilities relative to the end walls SW1, SW2, the rotary drive and the rotary mounting of the entire workpiece holding arrangement WH in the machine frame MG should first be explained in more detail. Figures 5 to 11As best seen in the figure, the deconstraint release device AV has a base plate GP as a carrier, which is screwed to the frame MG by means of a holder HT and a clamping plate KP. Mounted on this base plate GP are all the components and subassemblies of the workstations PS, DS, CS arranged above it and the workpiece holding arrangement WH of the deconstraint release device AV. The base plate GP therefore predetermines the accuracy of the entire deconstraint release device AV; the required mounting surfaces are all arranged on the same side of the base plate GP and are formed in the same working step. The base BA, which is implemented as a rotating part for mounting the workpiece holding arrangement WH, is screwed to the base plate GP by means of a restraint KL. Similarly, the housing for the workpiece holding arrangement WH is fixed to the base plate GP, which base plate in particular accommodates a first housing wall GW1 associated with the movable first end wall SW1 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH and a second housing wall GW2 associated with the movable second end wall SW2 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH. Each of the housing walls GW1, GW2 is provided with a central circular opening in which a respective circular end wall SW1, SW2 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH is received so as to be rotatable and suitably sealed relative to the respective housing wall GW1, GW2 (see Figure 12 ).

[0079] according to Figure 12 The workpiece holding arrangement WH is rotatably mounted on one side of the base BA via its central hub segment NA, using a cross-roller bearing KR. The outer ring of the cross-roller bearing KR is threaded to the base BA, while the inner ring of the cross-roller bearing KR is threaded to the hub segment NA. Furthermore, an axis AX is positioned in the center of the hub segment NA, providing additional support for the workpiece holding arrangement WH. The axis AX is secured to the base BA via a clamping flange SF and an annular elastic clamping element RS. At the end of the axis AX facing away from the base BA, the workpiece holding arrangement WH can be supported on the axis AX via a sliding bearing GL.

[0080] Especially according to Figure 3 、 4 , 6 and 7, a servomotor RD0 with an angular transmission WG0 is provided for the rotational drive of the workpiece holding arrangement WH about the rotation axis RA, which servomotor is fixed at the top to the base BA. Figure 13 、 14 As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the angular transmission WG0 drives a helical gear ZR0, which meshes with a larger helical gear ZR1. This larger helical gear ZR1 is fixed to the first end wall SW1 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH on the side facing away from the work spaces AR1, AR2, AR3, and AR4. In this position, a very high transmission ratio (e.g., 1:275) is provided to achieve a moment of inertia ratio (approximately 1:25), which allows for rapid movement and precise positioning of the workpiece holding arrangement WH.

[0081] The workpiece holders CH of the workpiece holding arrangement WH can be driven to rotate about their longitudinal axis LA1, for which purpose a respective rotary drive RD1 is associated with each of the restraining station DS and the cleaning station CS. The two rotary drives RD1 are mounted in a fixed position on the machine frame MG, more precisely flanged to the base BA connected thereto, and can be drivingly connected to the workpiece holders CH present in or at the respective station DS, CS via a clutch CL1.

[0082] Details of these can be found in particular Figure 6 、 13 and 14. The clutches CL1 are therefore mechanically positive clutches. They are each formed by an arcuate sliding block KU1 and a sliding groove KU2 formed complementary thereto. While the sliding block KU1 together with the corresponding workpiece holder CH can rotate about the longitudinal axis LA1 relative to the first end wall SW1 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, the sliding groove KU2 is provided in the gripper MN1, which is connected to the corresponding rotary drive RD1 and according to Figure 6 , which engage through corresponding associated circular openings in the base BA. The guide is completed by a correspondingly curved sliding element KU3, which has the shape of a ring segment and which is fixed to the first end wall SW1 between the sliding blocks KU1 as seen in the circumferential direction. Figure 6 As shown, the sliding block KU1 , like the sliding element KU3 , is guided in an annular groove KU4 of the base BA, which is interrupted only by an opening for receiving the entrainer MN1 .

[0083] As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the overall result is an annular, circumferential guide. If the workpiece holding arrangement WH is positioned in an angular position about the axis of rotation RA in which the workpiece holders CH have not yet reached or have already left their respective positions in the release device AV's workstations LS1, DS, CS, or LS2, the entrainer MN1 of the rotary drive RD1 is (angularly) guided by means of a sliding element KU3, while the slide KU1 is (angularly) guided in an annular groove KU4 of the base BA on the workpiece holder CH. Upon reaching the working position of the respective rotary drive RD1, the slide KU1 of the respective workpiece holder CH pivots into the sliding groove KU2 on the entrainer MN1 of the respective rotary drive RD1, thereby engaging the clutch CL1. For further pivoting of the workpiece holding arrangement WH about the axis of rotation RA, the respective rotary drive RD1, with its entrainer MN1, must of course be positioned at a rotational angle to again create an circumferential guide, enabling the clutch CL1 to be disengaged and further rotational movement of the workpiece holding arrangement WH to be unimpeded.

[0084] Finally, if Figure 7 、 11 , 13 and 14 , in the region of the substation PS1, a chuck cylinder SZ is flange-mounted on the base BA for loading, before release, a spectacle lens L restrained on a restraining element B and for unloading, after release, the restraining element B. The chuck cylinder SZ can be pneumatically actuated in order to open or close the chuck at the corresponding workpiece holder CH in a manner known per se.

[0085] The workpiece pair holder WC of the workpiece holding arrangement WH can also be driven to rotate about its longitudinal axis LA2. To this end, a rotary drive RD2 is associated with the cleaning station CS. The rotary drive RD2 is mounted in a fixed position on the machine frame MG, more precisely, on the base plate GP connected thereto, via a bracket KE1. The rotary drive RD2 can be drivingly connected to the workpiece pair holder WC currently located at the cleaning station CS via a clutch CL2.

[0086] Details of these can be found in particular in Figure 9 、 10 , 12, 13, 17, and 18. To create space near the rotational axis RA of the workpiece holding arrangement WH for axial adjustment of the workpiece counterholder WC, as already mentioned and described below, the rotary drive RD2 for the cleaning station CS is mounted radially offset on the base plate GP by means of a bracket KE1. The clutch CL2 is a force-locking clutch, i.e., a magnetic clutch with a magnetic entrainer MN2 on the drive side. Torque is transmitted via an air gap from the entrainer MN2 to a corresponding metallic counterpart GS at the second end wall SW2. When the workpiece holding arrangement WH rotates about the rotational axis RA, the corresponding counterpart GS of the magnetic clutch CL2 simply pivots beneath the entrainer MN2 of the rotary drive RD2, thereby engaging the clutch CL2. Upon further rotation of the workpiece holding arrangement WH about the rotational axis RA, the corresponding counterpart GS is disengaged by pivoting the corresponding counterpart GS away from the opposing position using the entrainer MN2.

[0087] The corresponding counterpart GS of the clutch CL2 is rotatably mounted together with the first gear of the gear pair ZP on a carrier block LB which is fixed to the second end wall SW2. Figure 17 and 18 As shown, four corresponding bearing seats LB are thus evenly distributed over the periphery and are fixed to the second end wall SW2 in association with the working spaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, respectively. When the corresponding working spaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 are present at the cleaning station CS, the workpiece pair holder WC is driven in rotation by means of the corresponding gear pairs ZP. For this purpose, if Figure 22As best seen in FIG, the second gear of the gear pair ZP is fixed to a spindle housing SG for a workpiece pair holder WC, which spindle housing for its part is rotatably mounted via a (rotating) bearing arrangement in a bearing flange LH1 mounted in the second front wall SW2.

[0088] Figure 22 Also shown is a linear guide for the individual workpiece pair holders WC relative to the second end wall SW2. A corresponding sliding carrier linear guide with a carrier flange LH2 is provided, fixedly mounted in the spindle housing SG. The aluminum square tube VK is linearly guided and mounted therein via a (linear) guide arrangement. Consequently, the square tube VK is also secured against rotation relative to the carrier flange LH2. The aforementioned suction head SH of the workpiece pair holder WC is attached to the corresponding square tube VK via an intermediate member.

[0089] For each workpiece pair holder WC, parallel to the above-mentioned sliding carrier linear guide, a round rod guide with a ball bushing KB is installed as another linear guide. This other linear guide consists of a corresponding round rod RE, which is fixedly connected to a corresponding square tube VK by means of a crossbar TV and is arranged according to Figure 22 The round rod is mounted in the central bearing member LK of the workpiece holding arrangement WH by means of two corresponding ball bushings KB. The central bearing member LK is fixedly connected to the central hub section NA and the second end wall SW2 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH and ... Figure 12 and 22 , which also carries the above-mentioned sliding carrier GL of the workpiece holding arrangement WH. The resulting combined linear guide (sliding carrier linear guide and round rod guide) counteracts the tilting of the workpiece counterholder WC relative to the second end wall SW2.

[0090] Especially Figure 19 and 20 As shown, the workpiece counterholders WC of the workpiece holding arrangement WH can be axially displaced independently of one another by means of their associated pneumatic cylinders. In this regard, the respective pneumatic cylinders PC are fixedly mounted on the carrier member LK in the second end wall SW2 and project into the central hub section NA of the workpiece holding arrangement WH via their cylinder housings, which are arranged parallel to the aforementioned linear guides. The piston rods of the respective pneumatic cylinders PC are fixed to the cross member TV via their ends remote from the cylinder housings.

[0091] For the pneumatic activation of the pneumatic cylinders PC, which are used here as double-acting cylinders, there is associated with each pneumatic cylinder PC a switching valve SV which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is designed as a push-rod-actuated monostable 5 / 2-way valve (see also Figure 23 ). Especially Figure 17 and 18As shown, four respective switching valves SV are therefore evenly distributed over the circumference and are fixed from the outside to the second end wall SW2 in association with a working space AR1 , AR2 , AR3 and AR4 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, respectively.

[0092] In the basic valve configuration, each switching valve SV is switched by a spring bias, causing the pneumatic cylinder PC to execute a movement into the rear cylinder end position ("retraction"). This valve configuration is necessary, for example, for the deconstraining station DS in order to pull the eyeglass lens L out of the restraining member B when a vacuum prevails at the suction head SH, requiring, for example, a pulling force of approximately 30 N. If the switching valve SV is switched, the corresponding pneumatic cylinder PC moves the workpiece mating holder WC connected thereto forward in the direction of the opposing workpiece holder CH. This valve switching makes it possible, for example, in the deconstraining station DS, to deactivate the switching force from the switching valve SV when a vacuum is generated at the suction head SH, which rests on the eyeglass lens L to be deconstrained, so that the eyeglass lens L is pulled away from the restraining member B held on the workpiece holder CH by the pneumatic cylinder PC.

[0093] In order to actuate the switching valve SV, an actuating cylinder BZ is provided, each of which comprises a piston for mechanically applying a switching force to the switching valve SV. Figure 23 The actuation arrow at the switching valve SV is indicated and it is mounted in a fixed position relative to the frame MG. More precisely, in particular as Figures 8 to 10 As shown, these actuating cylinders BZ are fixed to the second housing wall GW2 of the housing for the workpiece holding arrangement WH and, in fact, above and on either side of the workpiece holding arrangement WH. No actuating cylinders BZ are installed below the workpiece holding arrangement WH. In this case, two actuating cylinders BZ are associated with the loading station PS, i.e. one actuating cylinder BZ for the first substation PS1 and one actuating cylinder BZ for the second substation PS2. In contrast, the other actuating cylinder BZ is associated with the unconstraining station DS. Only in the cleaning station CS is no actuating cylinder BZ provided. Consequently, in the stations PS1, PS2 and DS the workpiece pair holder WC can be moved forwards, but, in contrast, not in the cleaning station CS (see in this respect also Figure 12 ).

[0094] The pneumatic cylinder PC, which can rotate together with the second end wall SW2 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH about the rotation axis RA, and the pneumatic supply for the suction head SH of the workpiece counterholder WC of the workpiece holding arrangement WH are carried out by means of a common rotary joint DD, which is supported against rotation relative to the machine frame MG. In order to support the rotary joint DD against torsion, in particular according to Figures 8 to 10and 12, the rotary joint DD comprises a housing which is fixed to a second housing wall GW2 for the workpiece holding arrangement WH by means of a cage-like support structure KS which surrounds the aforementioned components at a second end wall SW2.

[0095] In the case of the circuit provided here of the pneumatic cylinders PC, all switching valves SV can be supplied by means of a common pressure connection, whereas for the four suction heads SH at the workpiece pair holder WC four subatmospheric pressure connections are required which are to be controlled individually, e.g. Figure 23 As shown schematically in FIG. , a commercially available rotary joint DD having only five channels can be installed. Figure 19 、 20 As shown in FIG23, a pressure line DL1 leads from the rotary joint DD to the inlet of each switching valve SV, and its two outlets are each connected to the corresponding side of the associated pneumatic cylinder PC via pressure lines DL2 and DL3. In addition, a corresponding suction line SL runs from the rotary joint DD to the suction head SH of each workpiece pair holder WC.

[0096] In the embodiment shown, each suction line SL has a spiral hose section in order to be able to follow the linear movement of the workpiece counterholder WC (see in this respect Figure 18 The spiral hose section is connected to the through channel formed in each cross member TV (especially in Figures 17 to 21 (shown by dotted lines in FIG). Figure 22 The through-channel is in turn connected to a tube by means of a fixed hose section, which tube runs through the square tube VK of the linear guide and leads to the corresponding suction head SH.

[0097] As already explained above, the first nozzle assembly DB1 is movably mounted on the machine frame MG in order to be able to set the axial position and the adjustment angle of the first high-pressure nozzle HD1 even during the unconstraining process. Figure 7 、 8 and 14 to 16 are inferred.

[0098] Therefore, in order to produce an axial movement of the first nozzle assembly DB1 parallel to the longitudinal axis LA1 of the workpiece holder CH, a linear drive AD is provided, which is threadedly connected to the base plate GP via the bracket KE2. In the embodiment shown, the linear drive AD is an electric cylinder with a stepper motor and transmitter feedback, which can be operated as a CNC axis. The linear drive AD is connected to the carriage SD for effective actuation, which is guided at the bracket KE2 by means of a round rod guide RF with ball bushings, as can be seen in FIG. Figure 16 The best visible. Figure 5 and 7The carriage SD projects into the deconstraint station DS through an opening in a first housing wall GW1 of the housing for the workpiece holding arrangement WH, wherein a flange seal FD arranged between the carriage SD and the opening seals the deconstraint station DS against the environment.

[0099] The bracket SD carries a worm gear SR at its end projecting into the unconstraining station DS (see Figure 15 and 16 ), the first nozzle subassembly DB1 is flange-mounted on this worm gear SR, and the angular adjustment of the first high-pressure nozzle HD1 is performed by means of this worm gear SR. The worm gear SR is similarly driven by a stepper motor with transmitter feedback, so that the pivot axis thus formed can also be operated as a CNC axis. This angular setting enables precise tangential targeting of the boundary layer between the spectacle lens L and the constraining material, or between the constraining material and the constraining part B. The impact point of the high-pressure jet thus defined can also be adjusted during deconstraint via two CNC axes at the outer contour of the spectacle lens L or the constraining part B.

[0100] Especially Figure 9 and 10 As shown, the second substation PS2 for unloading the unconstrained spectacle lens L after the restraint is released comprises a device ET for drying the unconstrained spectacle lens L, which serves as a further handling device of the unconstraining device AV. The drying device ET comprises a workpiece holder PG, by means of which the unconstrained spectacle lens L can be clamped. In addition, the drying device ET comprises at least one air nozzle LD1, LD2. In the embodiment shown, even two air nozzles LD1, LD2 are provided, i.e. two fan nozzles, which are attached at the top to the housing for the workpiece holding arrangement WH. The workpiece holder PG and the air nozzles LD1, LD2 can be moved relative to each other so that the air flow delivered by the air nozzles LD1, LD2 can be directed over the spectacle lens L to dry the unconstrained spectacle lens L clamped by the workpiece holder PG.

[0101] In the embodiment shown, the workpiece gripper PG is designed as a parallel gripper, which is particularly adapted according to Figure 10 The parallel gripper comprises two parallel-guided, individually activated gripping finger holders PG1. Each gripping finger holder PG1 carries a pair of rubberized gripping fingers PG2 at its end, which can pivot relative to the gripping finger holder PG1. To grip the spectacle lens L, the two gripping fingers PG1 can be moved parallel to each other. This parallel gripper configuration also allows gripping of spectacle lenses L with asymmetrical edge shapes, as the gripping finger pairs PG2, due to their pivotable mounting on the gripping finger holder PG1, can adapt to the edge shape of the released spectacle lens L.

[0102] Able to Figure 9 and Figure 10 The pivot mechanism PM, which is best seen in FIG. 1 , is provided for generating the above-mentioned relative movement between the workpiece holder PG and the air nozzles LD1 , LD2 . The pivot mechanism PM comprises a bearing seat PM1 mounted on the second housing wall GW2 of the housing for the workpiece holding arrangement WH. A pivot axis PM2 is mounted in the bearing seat PM1 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis SA. An angled pivot arm PM3, which carries the workpiece holder PG at its end remote from the pivot axis PM2, is provided at the bottom of the housing. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The two actuating rods PM4 are mounted on the pivot shaft PM2 at the left side. Figure 9 and Figure 10 An electric cylinder PM5 with a stepper motor and transmitter feedback is pivotally connected to the actuator rod PM4, and the piston rod of the electric cylinder is pivotally connected to the base plate GP.

[0103] It is obvious that by suitable activation of the electric cylinder PM5, the workpiece holder PG mounted on the pivoting arm PM3 can be pivoted about the pivot axis SA with respect to the workpiece holder PG. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The double arrow shown in FIG pivots correspondingly into the second substation PS2 of the loading station PS ( Figure 9 ) or pivot out the second substation PS2 ( Figure 10 ).

[0104] Thus, the following combined removal and drying process is possible: the workpiece gripper PG is pivoted by the pivot mechanism PM about the pivot axis SA into the working space of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, which is then present at the second substation PS2 of the loading station PS ( Figure 9 ). The spectacle lens L held in the work space at the suction head SH of the workpiece pair holder WC is moved together with the workpiece pair holder WC by means of the associated pneumatic cylinder PC into a transfer position in which the workpiece gripper PG grips the spectacle lens L. After the vacuum advantage at the suction head SH of the workpiece pair holder WC has been released, the workpiece pair holder WC is retracted by means of the corresponding pneumatic cylinder PC and the actual drying of the spectacle lens L can begin. To this end, the spectacle lens L held by the workpiece gripper PG is slowly pivoted past the air nozzles LD1, LD2 by means of the pivoting mechanism PM. In this case, the drying is controlled by means of the pivoting speed about the pivot axis SA. After the electric cylinder PM5 of the pivoting mechanism PM has reached its end position and the pivoting movement about the pivot axis SA has therefore also ended ( Figure 10 ) Afterwards, the dried spectacle lens L can be picked up by the loading system LS. While the dried spectacle lens L is being picked up, the workpiece holding arrangement WH rotates further and the next combined removal and drying process can begin.

[0105] With regard to the housing construction of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, the following should also be noted. Figures 1 to 5 , 7 and 8, the loading station PS is not covered from above, so that the loading system LS can load and unload the deconstraint device AV without collision. In the axial direction, the first housing wall GW1 and the second housing wall GW2 delimit the area of the stations PS, DS, CS, in which the working spaces AR1, AR2, AR3 and AR4 of the workpiece holding arrangement WH move. The deconstraint station DS is delimited at the front by the third housing wall GW3, while the fourth housing wall GW4 delimits the cleaning station CS at the rear, in particular as Figure 5 As shown. It can also be easily seen here that the third housing wall GW3 and the fourth housing wall GW4 are each provided with a window to allow the operator to observe the corresponding workstations DS, CS. Figure 5 , only the unbinding station DS, the cleaning station CS and part of the second substation PS2 of the loading station PS are sealed. The seal is in each case made of a square rope DM made of nitrile rubber (NBR), which is clamped diagonally and adjustable in the sealing direction. Figure 5 As shown, the square rope DM is sealed to the partition wall TW of the workpiece holding arrangement WH. Figure 5 , at the second substation PS2 of the loading station PS, the thin disk is placed at the top and rear (i.e., at Figure 5 No sealing is required here, since the suction device SU sucks the air out of this station on the one hand, and the opening of the workpiece holder PG is not sealed on the other hand. Finally, a small water tank BK with a return channel is formed on the base plate GP (see Figure 5 ); If water still overflows and flows to the base plate GP, it can be fed back.

[0106] Water is used as the process liquid in the unconstraining device AV. In this respect, a pressure of, for example, approximately 160 bar can be used for the unconstraining. Depending on the respective workpiece, pressures between 80 bar and 160 bar are used for cleaning the spectacle lens L and the constraint B. Since the water jet also impinges on the optical surface of the spectacle lens L, care must be taken to ensure that the water is free of particles, which is ensured by an external unit (not shown) which produces filtered water with a defined pressure and volume flow that can be used for the unconstraining device AV. A water filter F (see FIG. 1 ) is provided at the hydraulic inlet of the unconstraining device AV. Figure 1 and 2 ) can provide additional security here.

[0107] As is obvious to a person skilled in the art from the above description of preferred embodiments of the unconstraining device AV, the following (main) processing steps i) to v) of the unconstraining method are typically performed for each individual spectacle lens L in the unconstraining device AV:

[0108] 1. placing the spectacle lens L restrained on the restraining element B into the first substation PS1 of the loading station PS of the deconstraining device AV as a first handling step i), wherein the restrained spectacle lens L is positioned at the restraining element B at or in one of the workpiece holders CH of the workpiece holding arrangement WH;

[0109] 2. The spectacle lens L is unconstrained from the restraint B in the unconstraining station DS of the unconstraining device AV by means of a high-pressure jet delivered by a first high-pressure nozzle HD1, the orientation of the high-pressure jet relative to the spectacle lens L or the restraint B being able to be changed in given cases during unconstraining, as described above with reference to Figures 14 to 16 wherein, during this unconstraining step ii), the workpiece holder CH holding the constraining element B is driven in rotation by the rotary drive RD1 of the unconstraining station DS, and the spectacle lens L is held by one of the forwardly moving workpiece counter-holders WC of the workpiece holding arrangement WH, on which a suction head SH is provided and is pulled from the constraining element B (see also Figure 12 , on the left side);

[0110] 3. Cleaning the unconstrained spectacle lens L and the unconstrained restraint B in the cleaning station CS of the unconstraining device AV by means of high-pressure jets delivered by a second high-pressure nozzle HD2 (for the spectacle lens L) and a third high-pressure nozzle HD3 (for the restraint B), wherein, during this cleaning step v), the spectacle lens L held by the retracted workpiece counterholder WC with the suction head SH and the restraint B held in the opposing workpiece holder CH are rotationally driven by the rotary drives RD1, RD2 provided at the cleaning station CS (see also Figure 12 ,on the right);

[0111] 4. As a second operating step iii), the unconstrained eyeglass lens L is removed from the second substation PS2 of the loading station PS of the unconstraining device AV by means of the workpiece pair holder WC moved forward, as already described above with reference to Figure 9 and 10 as described; and

[0112] 5. As a third handling step iv), the binding piece B separated from the eyeglass lens L is removed from the first substation PS1 of the loading station PS by means of the workpiece holder CH.

[0113] In this respect, the above-mentioned unconstraining step ii), cleaning step v) and second manipulation step iii) are carried out simultaneously for different spectacle lenses L or binding members B, wherein advantageously the respective unconstrained spectacle lenses L are dried simultaneously in the second manipulation step iii), as already mentioned above with reference to Figure 9 and 10 The first handling step i) and the third handling step iv) are performed in parallel, but sequentially relative to one another, because in the first substation PS1 of the loading station PS, the unconstrained restraint B must first be removed from the corresponding workpiece holder CH, after which the newly constrained spectacle lens L at its restraint B can be inserted into the workpiece holder CH. This simultaneous execution of the various processing steps is made possible by the workpiece holding arrangement WH, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation RA, utilizing its identically equipped workspaces AR1, AR2, AR3, and AR4, which in this case are moved from workstation to workstation in a movement cycle on the machine frame MG. Consequently, the output of unconstrained spectacle lenses L can be increased to, for example, 250 spectacle lenses L per hour.

[0114] An optical machine for handling and / or processing optical workpieces such as eyeglass lenses, comprising a frame to which a workpiece holding arrangement is movably mounted and at least two processing and / or machining devices for handling and / or machining workpieces held in the workpiece holding arrangement are mounted on the frame. The workpiece holding arrangement has a plurality of partition walls that separate and delimit at least three workspaces from one another, which workspaces can be moved to the processing and / or machining devices via the workpiece holding arrangement. A workpiece holder is associated with each workspace so that the workspaces for different workpieces can be used in parallel. When used as a deconstraint device, each workspace, together with the workpiece holding arrangement, can be displaced relative to the frame in a movement cycle from a loading station fixed in place at the frame, via a fixed deconstraint and cleaning station physically separated from the loading station and comprising the processing and / or machining devices, back to the loading station, so that the workspaces can be used simultaneously for different workpieces and different processes.

[0115] Reference Signs List

[0116] AD linear actuator for the first nozzle subassembly

[0117] AM1 Loading system first drive motor

[0118] AM2 loading system second drive motor

[0119] AV release device

[0120] First working space of AR1 workpiece holding arrangement

[0121] Second workspace of the AR2 workpiece holding arrangement

[0122] AR3 workpiece holding arrangement for the third workspace

[0123] AR4 workholding arrangement with fourth workspace

[0124] AX Axis of the workpiece holding arrangement

[0125] B Constraints

[0126] BA Base of workpiece holding arrangement

[0127] BF release device control panel

[0128] BK base plate sink

[0129] Actuating cylinder for BZ switching valve

[0130] Workpiece holder for CH workpiece holding arrangement

[0131] CL1 workpiece holder clutch

[0132] CL2 workpiece pairing holder clutch

[0133] Cleaning station for CS restraint release device

[0134] DB1 Unconstrains the first nozzle subassembly in the station

[0135] Second nozzle subassembly in the DB2 cleaning station

[0136] The third nozzle subassembly in the DB3 cleaning station

[0137] DD Rotary Joint for Workholding Arrangement

[0138] DL1 Pressure line to switching valve

[0139] DL2 Pressure line to pneumatic cylinder

[0140] DL3 Pressure line to pneumatic cylinder

[0141] DM Sealing rope for housing sealing

[0142] DS release device release station

[0143] Drying device in the ET loading station

[0144] F Hydraulic arrangement filter

[0145] FB conveyor belt with unrestraint device

[0146] FD flange seal for nozzle adjustment

[0147] GL sliding carriers for workpiece holding arrangements

[0148] GP workpiece holding arrangement base plate

[0149] Mating parts for GS magnetic clutch

[0150] GW1 First housing wall for workpiece holding arrangement

[0151] GW2 Second housing wall for workpiece holding arrangement

[0152] GW3 third housing wall for workpiece holding arrangement

[0153] GW4 Fourth housing wall for workpiece holding arrangement

[0154] First holder for H1 loading system

[0155] Second holder for H2 loading system

[0156] Third holder for H3 loading system

[0157] Hydraulic arrangement of HA release device

[0158] HD1 Unconstraint station for the first high-pressure nozzle

[0159] Second high-pressure nozzle in the HD2 cleaning station

[0160] The third high-pressure nozzle in the HD3 cleaning station

[0161] HT holder for substrates

[0162] KB workpiece pair retainer linear guide ball bushing

[0163] KE1 Bracket for rotary drives in cleaning stations

[0164] KE2 linear drive bracket for nozzle adjustment

[0165] KL Base restraints

[0166] KP Clamping plate for baseplates

[0167] Crossed roller carriers for KR workpiece holding arrangements

[0168] KS support structure for rotary joints

[0169] KU1 Sliding restraint for clutch of workpiece holder

[0170] KU2 Sliding groove for clutch of workpiece holder

[0171] KU3 Sliding element for clutch of workpiece holder

[0172] KU4 annular groove for clutch of workpiece holder

[0173] L Optical workpiece / glasses lens

[0174] Longitudinal axis of the LA1 workpiece holder

[0175] Longitudinal axis of the LA2 workpiece pair holder

[0176] LB Load-bearing restraint for the clutch of the workpiece pairing retainer

[0177] LD1 Air nozzles for drying units

[0178] Air nozzles for LD2 drying units

[0179] LF1 loading system first linear guide unit

[0180] LF2 loading system second linear guide unit

[0181] LH1 Loading flange for swivel mounting of workpiece pair holders

[0182] LH2 Loading flange for linear mounting of workpiece pair holders

[0183] Load-bearing restraints for LK workholding arrangements

[0184] LS unrestraint device loading system

[0185] MG release device rack

[0186] Clamp at the clutch of the MN1 workpiece holder

[0187] Clamping device for the MN2 workpiece holder

[0188] Hub segment of NA workpiece holding arrangement

[0189] ND1 is the first low-pressure nozzle for cleaning stations

[0190] ND2 Second low pressure nozzle for unbinding station

[0191] PC pneumatic cylinder for workpiece pairing holder

[0192] PE hydraulic arrangement pump unit

[0193] PG workpiece holder for unloading at the second substation

[0194] PG1 workpiece gripper with gripping fingers

[0195] PG2 workpiece gripper gripper finger alignment

[0196] PM workpiece holder rotation mechanism

[0197] PM1 load-bearing restraint for pivoting mechanism

[0198] PM2 pivot mechanism pivot axis

[0199] PM3 Pivot Mechanism Pivot Arm

[0200] Actuating lever for the PM4 pivot mechanism

[0201] PM5 electric cylinder for pivoting mechanism

[0202] Loading station for PS release device

[0203] PS1 The first substation of the loading station

[0204] PS2 The second substation of the loading station

[0205] R conveyor belt direction

[0206] Axis of rotation of the RA workpiece holding arrangement

[0207] Servo motor for RD0 workpiece holding arrangement

[0208] Rotary drive for RD1 workpiece holder

[0209] Rotary drive for RD2 workpiece pair holder

[0210] Round rod for linear guide of RE workpiece pairing holder

[0211] RF round rod guide for nozzle adjustment

[0212] RK work tray

[0213] RS ring-shaped elastic clamping element for shafts

[0214] SA Pivot axis of the pivot mechanism

[0215] SD Bracket for nozzle adjustment

[0216] SF clamping flange for shafts

[0217] SG spindle housing for workpiece pairing holder

[0218] SH suction head at the workpiece holder

[0219] SL Suction lines for suction heads for workpiece pair holders

[0220] SR worm gear for nozzle adjustment

[0221] Control cabinet for SS unrestraint device

[0222] Suction device for SU restraint release device

[0223] SV switching valve for pneumatic cylinders

[0224] SZ chuck for workpiece holder

[0225] SW1 First end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement

[0226] SW2 Second end wall of the workpiece holding arrangement

[0227] T Tanks for hydraulic arrangements

[0228] TG Funnel-shaped shell section

[0229] Carrier / y-carriage for TR loading system

[0230] Transfer station for TS unrestraint device

[0231] Cross member for linear guide of TV workpiece pair holder

[0232] Dividing wall for TW workpiece holding arrangement

[0233] Distribution device for VE hydraulic arrangement

[0234] VK workpiece pair holder linear guide square tube

[0235] Paired workpiece holders for WC workpiece holding arrangements

[0236] WG0 Angular drive element for rotary drives in workpiece holding arrangements

[0237] Workpiece holding arrangement of WH unconstraint device

[0238] Traction element of the ZG loading system

[0239] Gear pair for ZP workpiece pairing holder

[0240] ZR0 workpiece holding arrangement gear

[0241] ZR1 workpiece holding arrangement gear

[0242] x length direction

[0243] y width direction

[0244] z height direction.

Claims

1. An optical machine (AV) for handling and / or processing an optical workpiece (L), comprising a machine frame (MG), a workpiece holding arrangement (WH) and at least two handling devices and / or processing devices (DB1, DB2, DB3), wherein the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) is movably mounted on the machine frame (MG), and the at least two handling devices and / or processing devices (DB1, DB2, DB3) are mounted on the machine frame (MG) for handling and / or processing an optical workpiece (L) held in the workpiece holding arrangement (WH), characterized in that The workpiece holding arrangement (WH) comprises a plurality of partition walls (TW) separating and delimiting at least three workspaces (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) from one another, and a corresponding workpiece holder (CH) for parallel use of different optical workpieces (L) is allocated to each of the workspaces (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4), wherein the workspaces (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) are movable together with the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) relative to the machine frame (MG) so that each workspace (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) can be selectively displaced from a loading station (PS) for the optical workpiece (L) fixed in place at the machine frame (MG) to a processing station and / or processing station physically separated from the loading station (PS) and comprising the processing device and / or processing device (DB1, DB2, DB3), and vice versa.

2. The optical device (AV) according to claim 1, characterized in that The optical workpiece (L) is a spectacle lens.

3. The optical device (AV) according to claim 1, characterized in that The workpiece holders (CH) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are each mounted so as to be rotatable about their longitudinal axis.

4. The optical device (AV) according to claim 3, characterized in that The workpiece holder (CH) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) can be selectively driven to rotate about its longitudinal axis, for which purpose a rotary drive is assigned to at least one of the processing stations and / or machining stations, the rotary drive being mounted on the machine frame (MG) and being drivably connected to the workpiece holder (CH) present in the corresponding processing station and / or machining station via a clutch.

5. An optical machine (AV) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The working spaces (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are arranged to be rotatable together with the workpiece holder (CH) about a common axis of rotation (RA).

6. The optical device (AV) according to claim 5, characterized in that The workpiece holding arrangement (WH) is of drum-like construction, having a first end wall (SW1) and a second end wall (SW2) opposite to each other, the partition wall (TW) separating the working spaces (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) being arranged between the first end wall (SW1) and the second end wall (SW2), wherein the rotation axis (RA) extends through the first end wall (SW1) and the second end wall (SW2).

7. The optical device (AV) according to claim 6, characterized in that A first end wall (SW1) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) carries the workpiece holder (CH).

8. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that A second end wall (SW2) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) carries a workpiece counter-holder (WC) aligned with the workpiece holder (CH).

9. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 8, characterized in that The workpiece counterholders (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are each mounted so as to be rotatable about their longitudinal axis.

10. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 9, characterized in that The workpiece pair holder (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) can be selectively driven to rotate about its longitudinal axis, for which purpose a rotary drive is assigned to at least one of the processing stations and / or machining stations, the rotary drive being mounted on the machine frame (MG) and being driveably connected to the workpiece pair holder (WC) present in the corresponding processing station and / or machining station via a clutch.

11. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 8, characterized in that The workpiece counterholders (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are each axially displaceable along their longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation (RA).

12. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The workpiece counterholders (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are each axially displaceable along their longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of rotation (RA).

13. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 11, characterized in that The workpiece holders (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are axially displaceable independently of one another by means of respectively associated pneumatic cylinders (PC).

14. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 8, characterized in that The workpiece counterholders (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are each provided with a suction head (SH) for holding the optical workpiece (L) at their ends protruding into the respective working space (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4).

15. An optical machine (AV) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 and 13, characterized in that The workpiece counterholders (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) are each provided with a suction head (SH) for holding the optical workpiece (L) at their ends protruding into the respective working space (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4).

16. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The pneumatic supply of the pneumatic cylinder (PC) and / or suction head (SH) of the workpiece matching holder (WC) of the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) is carried out by means of a common rotary joint (DD), the pneumatic cylinder (PC) and / or suction head (SH) being rotatable together with the second end wall (SW2) around the rotation axis (RA), the rotary joint (DD) being supported to prevent rotation relative to the machine frame (MG).

17. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 4 or 10, characterized in that Depending on the respective handling or processing requirements, the clutch is a mechanical form-fit clutch (CL1) or a force-locking clutch (CL2).

18. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that The optical machine (AV) is a deconstraining device for deconstraining an optical workpiece (L) from an associated constraining member (B), comprising: The loading station (PS) is used to load the optical workpiece (L) constrained on the constraining member (B) before the constraining is released and / or to unload the unconstrained optical workpiece (L) and / or the constraining member (B) after the constraining is released, a deconstraint station (DS) as a processing station for deconstraining the optical workpieces (L) from the respectively associated restraints (B), a cleaning station (CS) as a processing station for cleaning the unconstrained optical workpiece (L) and / or the constraining member (B), Each workspace (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) can be displaced together with the workpiece holding arrangement (WH) within a movement cycle from the loading station (PS), via the deconstraint station (DS) and the cleaning station (CS), to the loading station (PS), so that the workspaces (AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4) can be used for different optical workpieces (L) and different processes at the same time.

19. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 18, characterized in that The optical workpiece (L) is a spectacle lens.

20. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 18, characterized in that The deconstraint station (DS) comprises a first nozzle subassembly (DB1) as a first processing device, the first nozzle subassembly (DB1) having a first high-pressure nozzle (HD1) for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for deconstraining the optical workpiece (L) from the respectively associated restraint (B).

21. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 20, characterized in that The first high-pressure nozzle (HD1) for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for releasing the optical workpiece (L) from the respectively associated restraining member (B) can be adjusted in situ in its axial position and / or its adjustment angle relative to the restrained optical workpiece (L) held in the release station (DS) by the workpiece holding arrangement (WH).

22. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 18, characterized in that The cleaning station (CS) has a second nozzle subassembly (DB2) as a second processing device, and the second nozzle subassembly (DB2) has a second high-pressure nozzle (HD2) for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the unconstrained optical workpiece (L) and / or the constraining part (B).

23. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The cleaning station (CS) has a second nozzle subassembly (DB2) as a second processing device, and the second nozzle subassembly (DB2) has a second high-pressure nozzle (HD2) for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the unconstrained optical workpiece (L) and / or the constraining part (B).

24. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 22, characterized in that The cleaning station (CS) has a third nozzle subassembly (DB3) as a third processing device, and the third nozzle subassembly (DB3) has a third high-pressure nozzle (HD3) for delivering a high-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the restraint (B) and / or the unrestrained optical workpiece (L).

25. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 18, characterized in that The loading station (PS) includes a first sub-station (PS1) and a second sub-station (PS2), wherein the first sub-station (PS1) is used to load the optical workpiece (L) constrained on the constraining part (B) before the constraint is released and to unload the constraining part (B) after the constraint is released, and the second sub-station (PS2) is used to unload the unconstrained optical workpiece (L) after the constraint is released.

26. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 25, characterized in that The second substation (PS2) for unloading the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) after deconstraint comprises means (ET) for drying the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) as further processing means.

27. An optical machine (AV) according to claim 26, characterized in that The device (ET) for drying the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) comprises a workpiece holder (PG) by which the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) can be held; and at least one air nozzle (LD1, LD2), wherein the workpiece holder (PG) and the air nozzle (LD1, LD2) are movable relative to each other so that, in order to dry the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) held by the workpiece holder (PG), an air flow delivered by the air nozzle (LD1, LD2) can be directed over the optical workpiece (L).

28. The optical machine (AV) according to claim 18, characterized in that At least one separate cleaning nozzle (ND1, ND2) for delivering a low-pressure pressure medium jet for cleaning the corresponding workstation is associated with the deconstraint station (DS) and / or the cleaning station (CS), and / or a funnel-shaped shell section (TG) for jointly collecting pressure medium, constrained material and other residues for preparation or disposal is arranged below the deconstraint station (DS) and the cleaning station (CS).

29. A method for unconstraining an optical workpiece (L) from an associated constraining member (B) by means of a unconstraining device for unconstraining an optical workpiece (L), comprising the steps of: Step i) placing the optical workpiece (L) constrained on the constraining member (B) into the deconstraining device as a first manipulation step, Step ii) in the unconstraining device, unconstraining the optical workpiece (L) from the constraining member (B), step iii) removing the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) from said deconstraining device as a second manipulation step, and Step iv) removing or taking out the restraining member (B) separated from the optical workpiece (L) from the unconstraining device as a third manipulation step, Characterized in that the above-mentioned unconstraining step ii) and at least one of the above-mentioned manipulation steps i), iii) and iv) are performed simultaneously on different optical workpieces (L) or constraining members (B), and / or wherein, after the deconstraining step ii) and before the manipulation steps iii) and / or iv), the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) and / or the constraining member (B) is subjected to a cleaning step v), wherein the cleaning step v) and at least the deconstraining step ii) are performed simultaneously on different optical workpieces (L) or constraining members (B).

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The deconstraining step ii) and / or the cleaning step v) are performed by means of at least one high-pressure pressure medium jet, and during the handling step iii) the deconstrained optical workpiece (L) is simultaneously dried.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that The optical workpiece (L) is a spectacle lens.

Images