A method and system for printing contact lens dry films

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of contact lens automation production, in particular to a contact lens dry piece printing method and system, and the specific steps are as follows: S10. Move the dry piece to be transferred to the carrying unit; carry and place the dry piece to be transferred on the dry piece carrier; S20. Move the dry piece carrier with the dry piece to be transferred to the dry piece printing unit, and print the pattern on the dry piece to be transferred; S30. The dry piece carrier with the printed dry piece is moved to the dry piece receiving unit; carry the printed dry piece to the receiving tray to complete the dry piece discharging; the contact lens dry piece printing method and system replace the traditional mold printing production process, reduce the complex process steps, greatly improve the production efficiency; the dry piece can be stored in advance, and the stored dry piece can be quickly printed according to market demand, so as to realize quick on-demand production, reduce the scheduling, improve the production efficiency of the production line and have strong market adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated contact lens production technology, specifically to a method and system for printing ink on dry contact lenses. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of colored contact lenses, the conventional method of pattern printing involves imprinting the pattern into a mold, then molding the liquid material into the mold to achieve the printing effect. This method is relatively complex and cannot quickly produce colored contact lenses in large quantities.

[0003] Dry lens printing is a special contact lens manufacturing process. The printing is done after the mold is separated and the lens is removed. It can be mass-produced as colorless and transparent lenses, which is convenient for production scheduling and saves production costs. After the mold is separated and the lens is removed, the dry lens is then printed with different patterns and colors, turning it into different colored contact lens products with distinct personalities.

[0004] Currently, the technical support for related equipment is relatively weak, and there is no mature equipment that can directly print on dry film, which cannot meet market demand. There is an urgent need to provide a solution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method and system for printing ink on dry contact lenses that enables rapid on-demand production, reduces waiting time, and improves production efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution;

[0007] This invention discloses a method for printing ink on dry contact lenses, comprising a dry lens loading unit, a transport unit, a dry lens printing unit, and a dry lens receiving unit; the specific steps are as follows:

[0008] S10. The dry sheet to be printed is moved from the dry sheet feeding unit to the transport unit; the dry sheet feeding unit transports the dry sheet to be printed and places it on the dry sheet carrier in the transport unit;

[0009] S20. The transport unit moves the dry film carrier containing the dry film to be printed to the dry film printing unit, where the dry film printing unit prints patterns on the dry film to be printed.

[0010] S30. The transport unit moves the dry sheet carrier containing the printed dry sheets to the dry sheet receiving unit; the dry sheet receiving unit transfers the printed dry sheets from the dry sheet carrier to the receiving tray;

[0011] S40. Repeat steps S10 to S30 above to achieve batch dry film printing.

[0012] The present invention also provides a dry contact lens printing system for implementing the above-described dry contact lens printing method, comprising a dry lens feeding unit, a dry lens carrier for carrying the dry lens, a transport unit for operating the dry lens carrier, a dry lens printing unit for printing patterns on the dry lens, and a dry lens receiving unit for receiving the printed dry lens.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0014] This dry contact lens printing method and system integrates the feeding, handling, printing, and unloading of dry contact lenses, enabling direct printing on the dry lenses and automating mass production. This dry contact lens printing equipment replaces the traditional molding process, reducing complex steps and significantly improving production efficiency. In practical applications, dry lenses can be pre-stored, and based on market demand, this method and system can quickly print on the stored lenses, achieving rapid on-demand production, reducing scheduling, and increasing production line efficiency. It possesses strong market adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the dry sheet feeding unit of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the dry sheet feeding unit of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the carrier unit of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the carrier unit of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged structural diagram at point B;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the carrier unit of the present invention from another perspective;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the dry film carrier of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the dry film printing unit of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0026] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the dry film printing unit of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the dry film printing unit of the present invention from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 14 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the receiving unit of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0030] refer to Figure 1-14 As shown, a method for printing ink on dry contact lenses includes a dry lens loading unit 200, a transport unit 300, a dry lens printing unit 400, and a dry lens receiving unit 500; the specific steps are as follows:

[0031] S10. The dry sheet to be printed is moved from the dry sheet loading unit 200 to the transport unit 300; the dry sheet loading unit 200 transports the dry sheet to be printed and places it on the dry sheet carrier 800 in the transport unit 300;

[0032] S20. The transport unit 300 moves the dry film carrier 800, which holds the dry film to be printed, to the dry film printing unit 400, whereby the dry film printing unit 400 prints patterns on the dry film to be printed.

[0033] S30. The transport unit 300 moves the dry sheet carrier 800, which holds the printed dry sheet, to the dry sheet receiving unit 500; the dry sheet receiving unit 500 transfers the printed dry sheet from the dry sheet carrier 800 to the receiving tray 710.

[0034] S40. Repeat steps S10 to S30 above to achieve batch dry film printing.

[0035] This dry contact lens printing method integrates the feeding, handling, printing, and unloading of dry contact lenses, enabling direct printing on the dry lenses and automating mass production. This dry contact lens printing equipment replaces the traditional molding process, reducing complex steps and significantly improving production efficiency. In practical applications, dry lenses can be pre-stored, and the equipment can be used to quickly print on stored lenses according to market demand, achieving rapid on-demand production, reducing scheduling, and increasing production line efficiency. It possesses strong market adaptability.

[0036] In this embodiment, the dry sheet loading unit 200 includes a tray transport mechanism 210, a vision mechanism 220, a platform mechanism 230, and a dry sheet transport robotic arm 240.

[0037] Step S10 also includes:

[0038] S11. The tray transport mechanism 210 transports the dry film tray 110 onto the stage mechanism 230;

[0039] S12. The stage mechanism 230 moves the dry film carrier 110 to the vision mechanism 220, and the vision mechanism 220 performs visual positioning of the dry film to be transferred in the dry film carrier 110.

[0040] S13. The dry sheet handling robot arm 240 moves the dry sheets to be printed from the dry sheet tray 110 to the dry sheet carrier 800, completing the dry sheet loading.

[0041] In this embodiment, the tray transport mechanism 210 is used to transport and load the dry sheet tray 110, thereby improving the dry sheet loading efficiency. The vision mechanism 220 performs visual positioning of the dry sheets to be printed in the dry sheet tray 110, so as to assist the dry sheet transport robot arm 240 in accurate positioning and gripping, thereby improving the accuracy of the dry sheet loading and transport process. The empty dry sheet tray 110 is moved from the platform mechanism 230 to the tray transport mechanism 210, and the tray transport mechanism 210 removes the empty dry sheet tray 110 and moves the loaded dry sheet tray 110 back into the platform mechanism 230, thereby improving the dry sheet loading efficiency and enabling adaptation to multiple types of automated production lines.

[0042] This dry film loading unit 200 coordinates the actions of tray handling, dry film identification, and dry film transport. It is equipped with a vision mechanism for visual positioning and guidance of dry films, and combined with the dry film transport robot arm 240, it achieves efficient and accurate loading of dry films.

[0043] In this embodiment, the tray transport mechanism 210 includes a tray moving drive device 211, a tray lifting drive device 212 driven by the actuator of the tray moving drive device 211, and a tray fixture 213 driven by the actuator of the tray lifting drive device 212. The tray lifting drive device 212 drives the tray fixture 213 to move up and down, so that the tray fixture 213 can pick up and place the dry film tray 110. The tray moving drive device 211 drives the tray lifting drive device 212 and the tray fixture 213 to move, thereby transporting the dry film to be printed.

[0044] Specifically, the tray moving drive device 211 can be a linear motor, the tray lifting drive device 212 can be a lifting cylinder, and the tray tooling 213 can be a gripper or suction cup or other tooling that can realize the gripping and placement of the tray.

[0045] In this embodiment, the stage mechanism 230 includes a turntable drive device 231 and a tray platform 232 driven and connected to the execution end of the turntable drive device 231. The tray platform 232 is provided with a plurality of tray positioning slots 233. The tray transport mechanism 210 transports the dry film tray 110 to the tray positioning slots 233. The turntable drive device 231 drives the tray platform 232 to move, driving the dry film tray 110 placed in the tray positioning slots 233 into the vision mechanism 220. After the dry film to be transferred to the tray platform 232 is transported, the turntable drive device 231 drives the tray platform 232 to move, moving the empty dry film tray 110 to the tray transport mechanism 210 for removal.

[0046] Specifically, the turntable drive device 231 can be a rotary motor. The platform mechanism 230 has a compact structure. The turntable drive device 231 drives the tray table 232 to rotate, so that it rotates between the tray transport mechanism 210 and the dry sheet transport robot arm 240 to feed the dry sheet. This facilitates the loading of dry sheet tray 110 with dry sheet and the removal of empty dry sheet tray 110, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0047] In this embodiment, a supplementary lighting plate 250 is also provided below the tray platform 232. Specifically, the light from the supplementary lighting plate 250 passes through the tray positioning groove 233 to provide supplementary lighting to the bottom of the dry film tray 110, assisting the vision mechanism 220 in visually recognizing the dry film.

[0048] In this embodiment, the tray transport mechanism 210 is also provided with a tray hopper 100; the tray transport mechanism 210 transports the dry sheet tray 110 containing the dry sheet to be transferred from the tray hopper 100 to the platform mechanism 230; and the tray transport mechanism 210 transports the empty dry sheet tray 110 from the platform mechanism 230 to the tray hopper 100.

[0049] In this embodiment, the vision mechanism 220 includes an identification lens 223 for identifying dry film and an identification column 221 for mounting the identification lens 223; the identification column 221 is mounted on one end of the platform mechanism 230 near the dry film transport robot arm 240; the identification lens 223 is slidably mounted on the identification column 221 using a sliding track module 222.

[0050] In practical applications, the recognition lens 223 acquires images of the dry film in the dry film tray 110, accurately locates the position of the dry film, and transmits the location to the dry film handling robot arm 240, providing precision calibration and assistance for the handling work of the dry film handling robot arm 240; improving handling efficiency and accuracy, so as to avoid damaging the fragile dry film and reduce the loss of dry film.

[0051] In this embodiment, the dry film printing unit 400 includes a pad printing head assembly 410, a pad printing lifting mechanism 430 for driving the pad printing head assembly 410 to rise and fall, a pattern plate mechanism 440 for providing pad printing patterns to the pad printing head assembly 410, and a cleaning mechanism 420 for cleaning the pad printing head assembly 410; the pad printing lifting mechanism 430 includes a lifting connecting plate 432 for mounting the pad printing head assembly 410, and a pad printing lifting drive 431 for driving the lifting connecting plate 432 to rise and fall.

[0052] Step S20 also includes:

[0053] S21. The pad printing lifting mechanism 430 drives the pad printing head assembly 410 to the cleaning mechanism 420, and the cleaning mechanism 420 cleans the actuator end of the pad printing head assembly 410;

[0054] S22. The pad printing lifting mechanism 430 drives the pad printing head assembly 410 to the drawing plate mechanism 440, so that the execution end of the pad printing head assembly 410 contacts the drawing plate mechanism 440 to obtain the pattern to be pad printed.

[0055] S23. The pad printing lifting mechanism 430 drives the pad printing head assembly 410 to the dry film carrier 800 so that the ink on the actuating end of the pad printing head assembly 410 is printed on the dry film on the dry film carrier 800.

[0056] In practical applications, the pad printing lifting mechanism 430 can adjust the height of the pad printing head assembly 410 to meet the different height requirements of cleaning, ink dipping, and printing actions in dry film pad printing operations. The pad printing lifting mechanism 430 simultaneously drives multiple pad printing head assemblies 410 to the cleaning mechanism 420, which cleans the execution end of the pad printing head assembly 410 to avoid excess ink residue affecting the quality of the printing operation. The drawing plate mechanism 440 prepares the pattern ink for pad printing, and the pad printing head assembly 410 picks it up by contact. The pad printing lifting mechanism 430 drives the pad printing head assembly 410, which has been dipped in the pattern ink to be printed, to the dry film carrier 800, and drives the pad printing head assembly 410 to contact the dry film on the dry film carrier 800, and prints the pattern ink on the dry film.

[0057] The dry film printing unit 400 completes cleaning, inking, and printing operations in a single station, enabling on-demand single-batch printing of images. It features a compact structure, small footprint, and high pad printing efficiency. Specifically, the pad printing lifting drive 431 can employ a linear motor to achieve lifting drives for different height requirements of the lifting platen 432; and multiple sets of pad printing head assemblies 410 can be assembled as needed via the pad printing platen 432.

[0058] In this embodiment, the pad printing head assembly 410 includes a pad printing head 411 and a fine-tuning slide 412 for adjusting the Y-axis mounting position of the pad printing head 411. The upper adjustment end of the fine-tuning slide 412 is provided with an adjustment latch 413 for connection to the lifting connecting plate 432. Specifically, the fine-tuning slide 412 is a manually or electrically adjustable miniature slide. The pad printing head 411 is installed on the lower adjustment end of the fine-tuning slide 412 to achieve fine-tuning of the Y-axis mounting position of the pad printing head 411. The upper adjustment end of the fine-tuning slide 412 is connected to the lifting connecting plate 432 via the adjustment latch 413. The adjustment latch 413 has mounting holes, allowing for quick adjustment of the mounting position of the fine-tuning slide 412 via bolts. The adjustment latch 413 has fine-tuning scales for marking offset positions, enabling fine-tuning of the X-axis position of the pad printing head 411 and improving adaptability.

[0059] In this embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 420 includes a cleaning flip drive device 421, a reel assembly 423, and a wiping drive device 422 that drives the reel assembly 423 to wipe the pad printing head assembly 410; the reel assembly 423 and the wiping drive device 422 are both mounted on a cleaning connecting plate 424, and the cleaning connecting plate 424 is drivenly connected to the execution end of the cleaning flip drive device 421.

[0060] During the cleaning operation, the cleaning flipping drive device 421 drives the cleaning connecting plate 424 to move the tray assembly 423 below the pad printing head assembly 410, and the pad printing lifting mechanism 430 drives the pad printing head assembly 410 to contact the tray assembly 423 to achieve cleaning and wiping.

[0061] Specifically, the cleaning flip drive device 421 can be a rotary cylinder used to rotate the cleaning plate 424; after cleaning is completed, the cleaning flip drive device 421 drives the reel assembly 423 to rotate and flip back to avoid collision with the pad printing head assembly 410 in subsequent pad printing actions.

[0062] In this embodiment, the reel assembly 423 includes a cleaning reel 4231 and a cleaning auxiliary roller 4233 for tensioning the cleaning tape. The cleaning reel 4231 is mounted on the cleaning connecting plate 424 and connected to the output end of the wiping drive device 422. Multiple cleaning auxiliary rollers 4233 are mounted on a roller frame 4232 to tension and support the cleaning tape. The pad printing head assembly 410 contacts the tensioned cleaning tape to remove ink. The roller frame 4232 is connected to the cleaning connecting plate 424. Specifically, there are two cleaning reels 4231: one for winding the cleaning tape of the cleaning pad printing head assembly 410 and the other for winding the cleaned tape. The wiping drive device 422 can be a rotary motor.

[0063] In this embodiment, the printing plate mechanism 440 includes a printed circuit board 443, a board driving device 441 for driving the printed circuit board 443 to move, an ink cartridge 444 coated with ink, and a top box frame 445 supporting the ink cartridge 444 and the printed circuit board 443 to slide against each other. The printed circuit board 443 and the ink cartridge 444 are always in sliding contact. When the board driving device 441 drives the printed circuit board 443 to move to the transfer head assembly 410, the printed circuit board 443 and the ink cartridge 444 slide relative to each other, and ink is coated on the printed circuit board 443, waiting for the transfer head assembly 410 to contact the printed circuit board 443 and pick up the ink.

[0064] Specifically, the printed circuit board 443 can be made of patterned steel plate, and the top box frame 445 is used to install the ink cartridge 444 and keep the ink cartridge 444 in constant contact with the printed circuit board 443; the printed circuit board 443 moves under the drive of the board drive device 441, so that the ink in the ink cartridge 444 is coated on the printed circuit board 443.

[0065] Specifically, the printed circuit board 443 is a patterned steel plate. When the ink cartridge 444 comes into contact with the printed circuit board 443, the printed circuit board 443 moves under the drive of the board displacement drive device 441, so that the ink in the ink cartridge 444 is coated onto the printed circuit board 443. The actuator of the board displacement drive device 441 is also connected to a board fine-tuning frame 442 for manually fine-tuning the position of the printed circuit board 443.

[0066] In this embodiment, the pad printing lifting mechanism 430, the drawing board mechanism 440, and the cleaning mechanism 420 are all installed on the pad printing frame 450; the pad printing lifting mechanism 430 is located above the dry film carrier 800.

[0067] In this embodiment, the transport unit 300 includes a transport ring frame 320, multiple transport slides 340 for loading dry sheet carriers 800, a positioning component 330 for positioning the transport slides 340, and a transport drive device 310 for driving the transport ring frame 320 to feed materials. The transport slides 340 are mounted on the transport ring frame 320, and the transport drive device 310 drives the transport ring frame 320 to rotate along the pad printing direction, thereby moving the transport slides 340 on the transport ring frame 320 and thus moving the dry sheet carrier 800. The positioning component 330 positions the transport slides 340, thereby achieving the positioning of the dry sheet carrier 800.

[0068] The transport drive device 310 can use a drive motor and a positioning component 330 to position the transport slide 340, and assist the transport slide 340 to stop as needed at the predetermined position for loading, unloading and printing dry sheets; the transport unit 300 realizes continuous feeding of multiple dry sheet carriers 800, which facilitates continuous transfer printing of multiple dry sheets and improves transfer printing efficiency.

[0069] In this embodiment, the transport frame 320 includes an annular track 321, transmission wheels 322, and a transmission belt 323. The transmission belt 323 is wound around two transmission wheels 322, and multiple transmission protrusions 324 for connecting the transport slide 340 are provided on the transmission belt 323. The transport slide 340 is slidably mounted on the annular track 321, and the transport slide 340 is assembled and connected to the transmission protrusions 324. The output end of the transport drive device 310 is connected to and drives the transmission wheels 322 to rotate. The transmission wheels 322 drive the transmission belt 323 to rotate, and the transmission belt 323 drives the transport slide 340 to move on the annular track 321 through the transmission protrusions 324, realizing the circular rotation of the dry sheet carrier 800, continuously conveying the dry sheet to be transported in the pad printing direction, and improving the pad printing efficiency.

[0070] In this embodiment, the transport slide 340 includes a slide plate 342 for mounting the dry film carrier 800 and slide side plates 341 mounted on both sides of the slide plate 342; the lower end of one slide side plate 341 is provided with a slide groove 343 for assembly and connection with the transmission protrusion 324, and the outer end face of the other slide side plate 341 is provided with a positioning groove plate 345 for cooperating with the positioning assembly 330; the inner side of the slide side plate 341 is provided with a sliding roller 344 for assembly with the annular track 321.

[0071] Specifically, the dry film carrier 800 is mounted on the slide plate 342, and the slide side plates 341 are arranged on both sides of the slide plate 342; the inner end face of the slide side plate 341 is equipped with a sliding roller 344 for rolling against the annular track 321 to assist the slide plate 342 in sliding; the lower end of one slide side plate 341 is provided with a slide slot 343 for assembling with the sliding protrusion 324; the outer end face of the other slide side plate 341 is provided with a positioning slot plate 345 to facilitate the positioning assembly 330 to position the transport slide 340.

[0072] In this embodiment, the positioning component 330 includes a positioning wedge 335 and a positioning drive device 331 for driving the positioning wedge 335 to embed into the positioning slot plate 345; specifically, the positioning drive device 331 may be a cylinder for driving the positioning wedge 335 to embed into the positioning slot plate 345.

[0073] In this embodiment, multiple positioning wedges 335 are mounted on positioning rods 333, which are rotatably mounted on positioning shaft seats 332. The execution end of the positioning drive device 331 is driven by a drive link 334. One end of the drive link 334 is rotatably connected to the positioning drive device 331, and the other end is connected to the positioning rod 333. The positioning drive device 331 pushes the drive link 334 to drive the positioning rod 333 to rotate around the positioning shaft seat 332. As a result, the positioning rod 333 drives the positioning wedges 335 to rotate and embed them into the positioning slot plate 345, thus completing the overall positioning of the transport slide 340 and achieving the positioning function of the dry sheet carrier 800 at a predetermined position.

[0074] In this embodiment, the dry tablet carrier 800 includes a carrier base 810 and a dry tablet suction head 830 mounted on the carrier base 810 for holding dry tablets; the carrier base 810 is provided with an air passage port 820, which is connected to the dry tablet suction head 830.

[0075] The carrier base 810 has an internal air passage 811, and the dry tablet suction head 830 has a plurality of suction holes 831. The air passage port 820 is installed at one side port of the internal air passage 811, and the dry tablet suction head 830 is installed at the other side port of the internal air passage 811. The air passage port 820, the internal air passage 811, and the suction holes 831 are connected. All of the air passage ports 820 are connected to the pneumatic slip ring 840, and the pneumatic slip ring 840 is connected to an external air extraction device.

[0076] Specifically, air is drawn by an external air extraction device, which is branched through an electric slip ring 840 and connected to multiple air ports 820. When the dry tablet is placed on the dry tablet suction head 830, the suction air hole 831 is blocked to form a negative pressure, thereby adsorbing the dry tablet onto the dry tablet suction head 830.

[0077] In this embodiment, the dry sheet receiving unit 500 is provided with a tray transfer device 600 and a tray receiving device 700 at the feeding point; the dry sheet receiving unit 500 includes a receiving mechanism 510 and a receiving fixture 520; the tray receiving device 700 includes a tray receiving mechanism 720, a tray receiving fixture 730 and a receiving tray hopper 740.

[0078] Step S30 also includes:

[0079] S31. The receiving mechanism 510 drives the receiving fixture 520 to the dry sheet carrier 800 on the transport unit 300; the receiving fixture 520 picks up the printed dry sheet from the dry sheet carrier 800.

[0080] S32. The receiving mechanism 510 drives the receiving fixture 520 to move, thereby moving the printed dry film to the transfer device 600 and placing the printed dry film in the receiving tray 710 at the transfer device 600.

[0081] S33. The transfer device 600 moves the receiving tray 710 carrying the printed dry film to the receiving device 700.

[0082] S34. The receiving mechanism 720 drives the receiving fixture 730 to move the receiving tray 710 carrying the printed dry film from the tray transfer device 600 to the receiving tray hopper 740. Then, the receiving mechanism 720 drives the receiving fixture 730 to move the empty receiving tray 710 from the receiving tray hopper 740 to the tray transfer device 600.

[0083] Specifically, the receiving mechanism 510 includes a receiving X-axis drive device 512, a receiving Y-axis drive device 511, and a receiving lifting drive device 513, enabling the receiving mechanism 510 to achieve a three-axis drive structure (XYZ). The receiving fixture 520 can be a suction cup or gripper, etc., capable of picking up and placing multiple dry sheets. The tray receiving mechanism 720 includes a tray receiving displacement drive device 723, a tray receiving lifting drive device 722, and a turntable drive device 721. The tray receiving fixture 730 can be a gripper or suction cup, etc., capable of gripping and placing the receiving tray 710.

[0084] The present invention also provides a dry contact lens printing system for implementing the above-described dry contact lens printing method, comprising a dry lens loading unit 200, a dry lens carrier 800 for carrying the dry lens, a transport unit 300 for operating the dry lens carrier 800, a dry lens printing unit 400 for printing patterns on the dry lens, and a dry lens receiving unit 500 for receiving the printed dry lens.

[0085] This dry contact lens printing system integrates the feeding, handling, printing, and unloading of dry contact lenses, enabling direct printing on the dry lenses and automating mass production. This dry contact lens printing equipment replaces the traditional molding process, reducing complex steps and significantly improving production efficiency. In practical applications, dry lenses can be pre-stored, and the system can be used to quickly print on stored lenses according to market demand, achieving rapid on-demand production, reducing scheduling, and increasing production line efficiency. It possesses strong market adaptability.

[0086] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the scope defined by the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for printing ink on dry contact lenses, characterized in that, It includes a dry film feeding unit (200), a transport unit (300), a dry film printing unit (400), and a dry film receiving unit (500); the specific steps are as follows: S10. The dry sheet loading unit (200) moves the dry sheet to be printed to the transport unit (300); the dry sheet loading unit (200) transports the dry sheet to be printed and places it on the dry sheet carrier (800) in the transport unit (300); S20. The transport unit (300) moves the dry film carrier (800) containing the dry film to be printed to the dry film printing unit (400), and the dry film printing unit (400) prints patterns on the dry film to be printed. S30. The transport unit (300) moves the dry sheet carrier (800) containing the printed dry sheet to the dry sheet receiving unit (500); the dry sheet receiving unit (500) transfers the printed dry sheet from the dry sheet carrier (800) to the receiving tray (710); S40. Repeat steps S10 to S30 above to achieve batch dry film printing.

2. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dry sheet loading unit (200) includes a tray transport mechanism (210), a vision mechanism (220), a platform mechanism (230), and a dry sheet transport robotic arm (240). Step S10 also includes: S11. The tray transport mechanism (210) transports the dry film tray (110) onto the stage mechanism (230); S12. The stage mechanism (230) moves the dry film tray (110) to the vision mechanism (220), and the vision mechanism (220) performs visual positioning on the dry film to be transferred in the dry film tray (110); S13. The dry sheet handling robot arm (240) moves the dry sheets to be printed from the dry sheet tray (110) to the dry sheet carrier (800) to complete the dry sheet loading.

3. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pallet transport mechanism (210) includes a pallet moving drive device (211), a pallet lifting drive device (212) driven by the execution end of the pallet moving drive device (211), and a pallet tooling (213) driven by the execution end of the pallet lifting drive device (212). The tray lifting drive device (212) drives the tray fixture (213) to move up and down, so that the tray fixture (213) can pick up and place the dry film tray (110); the tray moving drive device (211) drives the tray lifting drive device (212) and the tray fixture (213) to move, thereby transporting the dry film to be printed.

4. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 2, characterized in that, The platform mechanism (230) includes a turntable drive device (231) and a tray platform (232) driven and connected to the execution end of the turntable drive device (231). The tray platform (232) is provided with a plurality of tray positioning slots (233). The tray transport mechanism (210) transports the dry film tray (110) to the tray positioning slot (233). The turntable drive device (231) drives the tray table (232) to rotate, which in turn drives the dry film tray (110) placed in the tray positioning slot (233) to enter the vision mechanism (220). After the dry film to be transferred on the tray table (232) is transported, the turntable drive device (231) drives the tray table (232) to rotate, which moves the empty dry film tray (110) to the tray transport mechanism (210). The tray transport mechanism (210) removes the empty dry film tray (110).

5. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tray transport mechanism (210) is also provided with a tray hopper (100); the tray transport mechanism (210) transports the dry sheet tray (110) containing the dry sheet to be printed from the tray hopper (100) to the platform mechanism (230); and the tray transport mechanism (210) transports the empty dry sheet tray (110) from the platform mechanism (230) to the tray hopper (100).

6. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vision mechanism (220) includes an identification lens (223) for identifying dry film and an identification column (221) for mounting the identification lens (223); the identification column (221) is mounted on one end of the platform mechanism (230) near the dry film handling robot arm (240); the identification lens (223) is slidably mounted on the identification column (221) using a sliding track module (222).

7. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dry film printing unit (400) includes a pad printing head assembly (410), a pad printing lifting mechanism (430) for driving the pad printing head assembly (410) to rise and fall, a pattern plate mechanism (440) for providing pad printing patterns to the pad printing head assembly (410), and a cleaning mechanism (420) for cleaning the pad printing head assembly (410); the pad printing lifting mechanism (430) includes a lifting connecting plate (432) for mounting the pad printing head assembly (410), and a pad printing lifting drive (431) for driving the lifting connecting plate (432) to rise and fall. Step S20 also includes: S21. The pad printing lifting mechanism (430) drives the pad printing head assembly (410) to the cleaning mechanism (420), and the cleaning mechanism (420) cleans the actuator end of the pad printing head assembly (410); S22. The pad printing lifting mechanism (430) drives the pad printing head assembly (410) to the drawing plate mechanism (440), so that the execution end of the pad printing head assembly (410) contacts the drawing plate mechanism (440) to obtain the pattern to be pad printed; S23. The pad printing lifting mechanism (430) drives the pad printing head assembly (410) to the dry film carrier (800) so that the ink on the actuating end of the pad printing head assembly (410) is printed on the dry film on the dry film carrier (800).

8. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pad printing head assembly (410) includes a pad printing head (411) and a fine-tuning slide (412) for adjusting the Y-axis mounting position of the pad printing head (411). The upper adjustment end of the fine-tuning slide (412) is provided with an adjustment buckle (413) for connecting with the lifting connecting plate (432).

9. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cleaning mechanism (420) includes a cleaning flip drive (421), a reel assembly (423), and a wiping drive (422) that drives the reel assembly (423) to wipe the pad printing head assembly (410); the reel assembly (423) and the wiping drive (422) are both mounted on a cleaning connecting plate (424), and the cleaning connecting plate (424) is driven to the execution end of the cleaning flip drive (421); During the cleaning action, the cleaning flipping drive device (421) drives the cleaning connecting plate (424) to move the tray assembly (423) below the pad printing head assembly (410), and the pad printing lifting mechanism (430) drives the pad printing head assembly (410) to contact the tray assembly (423) to achieve cleaning and wiping.

10. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 9, characterized in that, The reel assembly (423) includes a cleaning reel (4231) and a cleaning auxiliary roller (4233) for tensioning the cleaning belt; the cleaning reel (4231) is mounted on the cleaning connecting plate (424) and is connected to the output end of the wiping drive device (422); multiple cleaning auxiliary rollers (4233) are mounted on the roller frame (4232) to tension and support the cleaning belt, and the transfer printing head assembly (410) contacts the tensioned cleaning belt to achieve ink removal; the roller frame (4232) is connected to the cleaning connecting plate (424).

11. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drawing board mechanism (440) includes a printed circuit board (443), a board displacement driving device (441) for driving the printed circuit board (443) to move, an ink cartridge (444) for coating ink, and a top box frame (445) for supporting the ink cartridge (444) to slide against the printed circuit board (443). The printed circuit board (443) and the ink cartridge (444) are always in sliding contact. When the board displacement driving device (441) drives the printed circuit board (443) to move to the transfer head assembly (410), the printed circuit board (443) and the ink cartridge (444) slide relative to each other, so that the ink is coated on the printed circuit board (443), and the transfer head assembly (410) is waiting to contact the printed circuit board (443) and pick up the ink.

12. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transport unit (300) includes a transport ring frame (320), multiple transport slides (340) for loading dry sheet carriers (800), a positioning assembly (330) for positioning the transport slides (340), and a transport drive device (310) for driving the transport ring frame (320) to feed materials. The transport slide (340) is mounted on the transport ring frame (320). The transport drive device (310) drives the transport ring frame (320) to rotate along the printing direction, thereby moving the transport slide (340) on the transport ring frame (320) and thus moving the dry film carrier (800). The positioning component (330) positions the transport slide (340), thereby positioning the dry film carrier (800).

13. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 12, characterized in that, The transport ring frame (320) includes an annular track (321), drive wheels (322) and a drive belt (323); the drive belt (323) is wound around two drive wheels (322), and the drive belt (323) is provided with a plurality of drive protrusions (324) for connecting the transport slide (340); the transport slide (340) is slidably mounted on the annular track (321), and the transport slide 340 is assembled and connected with the drive protrusions (324); The output end of the transport drive device (310) is connected to and drives the transmission wheel (322) to rotate. The transmission wheel (322) drives the transmission belt (323) to rotate. The transmission belt (323) drives the transport slide (340) to move on the circular track (321) through the transmission protrusion (324).

14. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 13, characterized in that, The transport slide (340) includes a slide plate (342) for mounting the dry film carrier (800) and slide side plates (341) mounted on both sides of the slide plate (342); the lower end of one slide side plate (341) is provided with a slide slot (343) for assembly and connection with the transmission protrusion (324), and the outer end face of the other slide side plate (341) is provided with a positioning slot plate (345) for cooperating with the positioning assembly (330); the inner side of the slide side plate (341) is provided with a sliding roller (344) for assembly with the annular track (321).

15. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 14, characterized in that, The positioning component (330) includes a positioning wedge (335) and a positioning drive device (331) for driving the positioning wedge (335) to embed into the positioning slot plate (345). Multiple positioning wedges (335) are mounted on positioning rods (333), which are rotatably mounted on positioning shaft seats (332); the execution end of the positioning drive device (331) is driven by a drive link (334), one end of the drive link (334) is rotatably connected to the positioning drive device (331), and the other end is connected to the positioning rod (333). The positioning drive device (331) pushes the drive link (334) to drive the positioning rod (333) to rotate around the positioning shaft seat (332) as a reference. Then the positioning rod (333) drives the positioning wedge (335) to rotate and embeds the positioning wedge (335) into the positioning groove plate (345).

16. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dry tablet carrier (800) includes a carrier base (810) and a dry tablet suction head (830) mounted on the carrier base (810) for holding dry tablets; the carrier base (810) is provided with an air passage port (820), which is connected to the dry tablet suction head (830). The carrier base (810) has an internal air passage (811), and the dry tablet suction head (830) has a plurality of suction holes (831). The air passage port (820) is installed on one side of the internal air passage (811), and the dry tablet suction head (830) is installed on the other side of the internal air passage (811). The air passage port (820), the internal air passage (811), and the suction holes (831) are connected.

17. The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dry sheet receiving unit (500) is equipped with a tray transfer device (600) and a tray receiving device (700) at the unloading point; the dry sheet receiving unit (500) includes a receiving mechanism (510) and a receiving fixture (520); the tray receiving device (700) includes a tray receiving mechanism (720), a tray receiving fixture (730), and a receiving tray hopper (740); Step S30 also includes: S31. The receiving mechanism (510) drives the receiving fixture (520) to the dry sheet carrier (800) on the transport unit (300); the receiving fixture (520) picks up the printed dry sheet from the dry sheet carrier (800); S32. The receiving mechanism (510) drives the receiving fixture (520) to move, thereby moving the printed dry film to the transfer device (600) and placing the printed dry film in the receiving tray (710) at the transfer device (600); S33. The transfer device (600) moves the receiving tray (710) carrying the printed dry film to the receiving device (700); S34. The receiving mechanism (720) drives the receiving fixture (730) to move the receiving tray (710) carrying the printed dry film from the transfer device (600) to the receiving tray hopper (740), and then the receiving mechanism (720) drives the receiving fixture (730) to move the empty receiving tray (710) from the receiving tray hopper (740) to the transfer device (600).

18. A dry contact lens printing system, characterized in that, The method for printing ink on dry contact lenses according to any one of claims 1-17 includes a dry lens loading unit (200), a dry lens carrier (800) for carrying the dry lens, a transport unit (300) for operating the dry lens carrier (800), a dry lens printing unit (400) for printing patterns on the dry lens, and a dry lens receiving unit (500) for receiving the printed dry lens.

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