Dyeing System

Abstract

To provide a dyeing system which can automatically and appropriately dye a resin body.SOLUTION: A dyeing system 1 includes a conveyance device 10, a read-out part 2, a dye fixing device 50 and a controller 71. The conveyance device 10 conveys a conveyance unit including a resin body. The read-out part 2 reads out information on the conveyance unit. The dye fixing device 50 heats the resin body of the conveyance unit conveyed by the conveyance device 10, and thereby fixes a dye attached to a surface of the resin body to the resin body. The controller 71 acquires a parameter of a treatment subjected to the resin body contained in the conveyance unit based on the information red out by the read-out part 2. The controller 71 controls driving of the dye fixing device 50 according to the acquired parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dyeing system for dyeing a resin body. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques have been proposed for dyeing resin bodies such as plastic lenses. For example, in a dyeing method known as the dip dyeing method, the resin body is dyed by immersing it in a dye solution. However, with the dip dyeing method, it is difficult to maintain a good working environment, and it is also difficult to dye some resin bodies (e.g., lenses with a high refractive index).

[0003] Therefore, a technology has been proposed for dyeing a resin body by transferring a dye to the surface of the resin body and heating the resin body with the dye attached. For example, in the dyeing method described in Patent Document 1, a sublimable dye is applied to a substrate using an inkjet printer. Next, the resin body and the substrate are placed in a vacuum without contact, and the sublimable dye applied to the substrate is sublimated, thereby transferring the dye to the resin body. Next, a laser beam is scanned over the resin body, heating the resin body and fixing the dye. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-127722 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional methods, dyeing resin bodies requires many manual steps. Therefore, a technology for automatically dyeing resin bodies is desired. However, the specific steps for dyeing resin bodies vary depending on various conditions. For example, in the step of heating the resin body to fix the dye, the specific heating method may need to be changed appropriately depending on the shape of the resin body, etc.

[0006] A typical object of the present disclosure is to provide a dyeing system that can automatically and appropriately dye a resin body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a staining system. The first aspect of A dyeing system for dyeing a resin body, comprising: a conveying device for continuously conveying a plurality of conveying units each including a resin body; Established Identifier Read identifier The apparatus includes a reading unit, a dye fixing device that heats the resin body of the transport unit transported by the transport device to fix the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body, and a control unit, wherein the control unit: From a database storing parameters for each of the transport units, The aforementioned identifier The above-mentioned data read by the reading unit identifier to handle , a resin body included in the conveying unit Material a parameter acquisition step of acquiring parameters of the identifier When the resin body of the transport unit having the read value is heated by the dye fixing device, identifier The above-mentioned acquired based on Material According to the parameters 、 The dye fixing device The temperature transition of the resin body heated by and a fixation control step of controlling the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body to fix the dye on the resin body. A second aspect of a dyeing system provided by a typical embodiment of the present disclosure is a dyeing system for dyeing a resin body, comprising: a conveying device that continuously conveys a plurality of conveying units each containing a resin body; a tag reading unit that reads information from a writable tag provided on the conveying unit for each of the conveying units; a dye fixing device that heats the resin body of the conveying unit conveyed by the conveying device to fix the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body to the resin body; and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes a parameter acquisition step that acquires parameters of the material of the resin body contained in the conveying unit from the information read by the tag reading unit; and a fixation control step that, when heating the resin body of the conveying unit whose information has been read by the dye fixing device, controls the temperature change of the resin body heated by the dye fixing device in accordance with the parameters of the material included in the read information, thereby fixing the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body to the resin body.

[0008] According to the dyeing system of the present disclosure, the resin body is dyed automatically and appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a dyeing system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the staining tray 80 in which two lenses L are installed but no base body S is installed, as viewed from diagonally above right. [Figure 3] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the staining tray 80 showing a mounting frame 89, a lens L, and a spacer 87 mounted in one of the two mounting portions 82 in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic staining device 3 as seen from diagonally above right. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transfer / fixing unit 4 as seen from diagonally above on the right. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conveying device 10 as seen from diagonally above on the right. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first delivery section 110 as seen from diagonally above right. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transfer device 40 as seen from diagonally above on the right. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device 40 as seen from the rear. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the closed chamber set 430 as seen from diagonally above right. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the substrate holding device 90 as seen from diagonally above right. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dye fixing device 50 as seen from the front. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a first staining control process executed by the controller 71. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second staining control process executed by the controller 71. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third staining control process executed by the controller 71. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a discharge amount maintenance process executed by a controller 71. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of a staining quality determination process executed by the controller 71. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Summary> (First aspect) The dyeing system exemplified in the present disclosure includes a conveying device, a reading unit, a dye fixing device, and a control unit. The conveying device continuously conveys conveying units containing resin bodies. The conveying units are units conveyed by the conveying device. The reading unit reads information related to the conveying units. The dye fixing device heats the resin body of the conveying unit conveyed by the conveying device, thereby fixing the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body to the resin body. The control unit executes a parameter acquisition step and a fixing control step. In the parameter acquisition step, the control unit acquires parameters for a treatment to be performed on the resin body contained in the conveying unit whose information was read, based on the information read by the reading unit. In the fixing control step, the control unit controls the operation of the dye fixing device according to the acquired parameters when the resin body of the conveying unit whose information was read is heated by the dye fixing device.

[0011] In the dyeing system exemplified in the present disclosure, parameters for the treatment to be performed on the resin body are acquired for each transport unit based on information about the transport unit read by the reading unit. According to the acquired parameters, the resin body is heated in an appropriate manner for each resin body, and the dye is fixed. Therefore, the resin body is automatically and appropriately dyed.

[0012] The conveying device may continuously convey multiple conveying units. The reading unit may read information about each conveying unit for each conveying unit. The dye fixing device may heat the resin body contained in each conveying unit conveyed by the conveying device to fix the dye attached to the surface of the resin body to the resin body. In this case, each of the multiple resin bodies is continuously and automatically dyed. On the other hand, when multiple conveying units are continuously conveyed and the resin bodies contained in each conveying unit are dyed, the conveying order of the conveying units may be changed, or some of the conveying units may be removed from the conveying device during conveyance. As a result, the resin bodies may be dyed in a manner different from the intended manner. However, in the dyeing system disclosed herein, even if the conveying order of the conveying units is changed, the resin bodies are dyed in a manner appropriate to each resin body based on the information about the conveying units read by the reading unit. Therefore, the multiple resin bodies are appropriately dyed according to each resin body.

[0013] The dye fixing device may include an electromagnetic wave generating unit that generates electromagnetic waves. The dye fixing device may heat the resin body by irradiating the resin body with electromagnetic waves. In this case, the dyeing system can appropriately control the heating of the resin body by electromagnetic waves depending on the resin body. Therefore, the resin body is automatically and appropriately dyed.

[0014] The specific method by which the dye fixing device irradiates the resin body with electromagnetic waves can be selected as appropriate. For example, the electromagnetic wave generating unit of the dye fixing device may be a laser light source that emits laser light. The dye fixing device may include a scanning unit that scans the resin body with the laser light emitted from the laser light source. The control unit may control the driving of the scanning unit of the dye fixing device according to the acquired parameters when the resin body of the transport unit from which information has been read is heated by the dye fixing device. In this case, the laser light is scanned according to each of the multiple resin bodies, so that the dye is appropriately fixed to the resin body. The dye fixing device may also include a distribution adjusting unit that adjusts the intensity distribution of the electromagnetic waves irradiated to the resin body from the electromagnetic wave generating unit. The distribution adjusting unit may, for example, have an opening that allows a portion of the electromagnetic waves to pass through and may be installed between the electromagnetic wave generating unit and the resin body. The control unit may, for example, change at least one of the position of the distribution adjusting unit and the shape of the opening according to the acquired parameters. Even in this case, the electromagnetic waves are appropriately irradiated according to the resin body.

[0015] When a laser light source or a distribution adjustment unit is used, it is easier to shorten the time required to fixate the dye compared to using other methods (e.g., heating the resin body by increasing the temperature of the gas or liquid surrounding the resin body). On the other hand, when electromagnetic waves are irradiated onto a resin body, the temperature of the surface of the resin body rises rapidly, which can result in temperature differences depending on the location of the resin body (e.g., the difference between the center and the periphery). Temperature differences depending on the location can result in a decrease in dyeing quality. The way in which temperature differences occur varies depending on the shape of the resin body, etc. It may also be desirable to change the method of irradiating the electromagnetic waves depending on the material of the resin body. In contrast, the dyeing system disclosed herein can appropriately control the heating of the resin body by electromagnetic waves depending on each resin body. Therefore, the resin body is automatically and appropriately dyed.

[0016] The reader may include an identifier reader that reads an identifier provided for each shipping unit. In the parameter acquisition step, the control unit may acquire parameters of the transport unit corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reader from a database that stores parameters for each transport unit. In this case, even if the order of multiple transport units changes, for example, the control unit can appropriately grasp the parameters of each transport unit.

[0017] The control unit may execute an association step of associating parameters indicating the treatment content with the identifier of the transport unit containing the resin body, based on treatment information indicating the treatment content to be performed on the resin body, and storing the parameters in the database. In this case, the identifier and the parameters are stored in the database in an appropriate association state for each transport unit (i.e., for each resin body). Therefore, by reading the identifier, an appropriate treatment is performed for each resin body.

[0018] The dyeing system may further include a printing device and a transfer device. The printing device prints dye onto a sheet-like substrate. The transfer device transfers dye onto the resin body while the resin body of the transport unit transported by the transport device is facing the substrate on which the dye has been printed. The control unit may further execute an identifier printing control step of controlling the printing device to print an identifier corresponding to the transport unit together with the dye onto the substrate. In this case, even if an identifier is not provided on a placement unit (e.g., a tray) on which the resin body is placed, parameters are appropriately acquired for each transport unit. Furthermore, even after the dyeing process has been performed, the schedule and results of the dyeing process (e.g., whether the dyeing process was performed as planned) can be easily confirmed by reading the identifier of the substrate transported together with the resin body.

[0019] The control unit may print, together with the identifier, at least one of characters and symbols indicating the treatment to be performed on the resin body included in the transport unit on the base. In this case, the worker can easily check the treatment to be performed (or has been performed) on the resin body without having to have the reading unit read the identifier.

[0020] The transport unit may include a placement section (e.g., a tray on which the resin body is placed) on which the resin body is placed. The identifier may be provided on the placement section. In this case, the identifier of the placement section on which the resin body is placed is read by the reading section, thereby appropriately acquiring parameters of the treatment to be performed on the resin body.

[0021] However, it is also possible to change the component on which the identifier is provided. For example, the identifier may be provided on the resin body itself. In this case, when the parameters of the resin body are acquired, the possibility of confusing the parameters of one resin body with the parameters of another resin body is further reduced.

[0022] The reader may include a tag reader that reads information from a writable tag provided on the transport unit. The controller may acquire parameters included in the information read by the tag reader in the parameter acquisition step. In this case, by storing parameters indicating the treatment content in the tag in advance, the controller can appropriately grasp the parameters of each transport unit even when, for example, the order of multiple transport units is changed.

[0023] The reading unit may include an optical property measuring device that measures the optical properties of the resin body, which is a lens. In the parameter acquisition step, the control unit may acquire parameters for controlling the operation of the dye fixing device based on the optical properties of the lens measured by the optical property measuring device. When the resin body is a lens, the optical properties vary depending on the shape of the lens. Different lens shapes result in different temperature differences depending on the location of the lens when the lens is heated by the dye fixing device. Therefore, the dyeing system can heat the lens in an appropriate manner for each lens by acquiring parameters corresponding to the lens shape based on the optical properties of the lens measured by the optical property measuring device. Furthermore, the optical properties vary depending on the lens material. It may be desirable to change the lens heating method by the dye fixing device depending on the lens material. Therefore, the dyeing system can heat the lens in an appropriate manner for each lens by acquiring parameters corresponding to the lens material based on the optical properties measured by the optical property measuring device.

[0024] Furthermore, if the optical characteristics of the lens actually measured by the optical characteristic measuring device differ from the optical characteristics included in the parameters acquired by reading the identifier or tag, the control unit may execute at least one of a warning process to the operator and a process to interrupt the dyeing process, thereby dyeing the lens more appropriately.

[0025] The dyeing system may further include at least one dyeing process execution device that executes a process other than the dye fixing process executed by the dye fixing device among the dyeing processes for dyeing the resin body. The transport device may transport the transport unit to each of the dye fixing device and the dyeing process execution device. The control unit may control the driving of the dyeing process execution device according to the acquired parameters when causing the dyeing process execution device to execute the dyeing process for the resin body of the transport unit that read the information. In other words, the control unit may control the multiple dyeing processes executed for each resin body based on the information read by the reading unit. In this case, the multiple dyeing processes are executed appropriately according to each resin body. Therefore, each resin body is dyed more appropriately.

[0026] The dyeing process may include at least one of a dye attachment process for attaching a dye to a substrate on a sheet and a transfer process for transferring the dye attached to the substrate to a resin body. In this case, the dyeing system can more smoothly execute the series of dyeing processes.

[0027] The control unit may further execute a print control step of controlling the operation of a printing device, which is one of the dyeing process executing devices, in accordance with the acquired parameters when causing the printing device to print dye on a substrate used for the transport unit from which the information was read. In this case, a dye-coated substrate for dyeing a resin body is printed appropriately for each resin body.

[0028] The dyeing system may further include a rotation device, which is one of the dyeing process executing devices. The rotation device rotates the resin body for each transport unit transported by the transport device, thereby specifying the orientation of the resin body relative to the dye-coated substrate. The control unit may further execute a rotation control step of controlling the drive of the rotation device according to the acquired parameters when rotating the resin body of the transport unit from which the information has been read. For example, when performing gradation dyeing on cylindrical lenses and progressive lenses, it is necessary to appropriately specify the orientation (direction) of the lens relative to the dye-coated substrate by the rotation device. The dyeing system can appropriately specify the orientation of the resin body relative to the dye-coated substrate for each transport unit by controlling the drive of the rotation device according to the parameters.

[0029] The dyeing system may further include a coating device. The coating device applies a coating to the surface of the resin body on which the dye has been fixed by the dye fixing device for each transport unit transported by the transport device. The control unit may further execute a coating control step of controlling the operation of the coating device according to the acquired parameters when coating the resin body of the transport unit from which the information has been read. In this case, the coating on the resin body is performed appropriately according to each resin body.

[0030] The transport device may transport the transport unit from the printing device to the transfer device. In this case, the substrate printed with the dye is placed on the transport unit in the printing device, and the substrate is transported to the transfer device together with the transport unit. Therefore, the process of transporting the substrate is simplified.

[0031] (Second aspect) The dye fixing device exemplified in the present disclosure includes a laser light irradiating unit, a laser light blocking unit, an inlet, an outlet, and a pressure difference generating unit. The laser light irradiating unit includes a laser light source that emits laser light and irradiates the resin body with the laser light via an objective lens. The laser light blocking unit is a cylindrical member that covers at least a portion of the periphery of the optical path of the laser light extending from the objective lens of the laser light irradiating unit to the resin body, thereby blocking leakage of the laser light outside the optical path. The inlet is formed in the laser light blocking unit and allows gas to flow from the outside to the inside of the laser light blocking unit. The outlet is formed in the laser light blocking unit and discharges gas from the inside of the laser light blocking unit to the outside. The pressure difference generating unit generates a pressure difference to cause gas to flow from the inlet to the outlet.

[0032] In the dye fixing device exemplified in the present disclosure, gas flows from the inlet to the outlet. That is, gas flows inside the laser light blocking portion. Therefore, even if the dye on the surface of the resin body is heated and gasified, the dye is less likely to adhere to the objective lens of the laser light irradiation portion. Therefore, various effects caused by the dye adhering to the objective lens of the laser light irradiation portion are appropriately suppressed.

[0033] The outlet may be formed in the laser light blocking unit downstream of the objective lens of the laser light irradiating unit in the optical path of the laser light. In this case, even if the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet contains gasified dye, the gas is unlikely to reach the objective lens. Therefore, the possibility of the gasified dye adhering to the objective lens is further reduced compared to when the outlet is formed upstream of the objective lens in the optical path of the laser light.

[0034] The direction in which the optical path of the laser light extends can be specified as appropriate. For example, if the laser light source emits laser light from above downward, the downstream side of the optical path of the laser light is the lower side, and the upstream side of the optical path is the upper side. Also, if the laser light source emits laser light to the left, the downstream side of the optical path of the laser light is the left side, and the upstream side is the right side.

[0035] The inlet and outlet exemplified in this disclosure are holes formed in the wall surface of the laser light blocking unit. However, the configuration of the inlet and outlet may be changed. For example, at least one of the inlet and outlet may be a gap formed between the laser light blocking unit and another member (e.g., a laser light irradiator or a resin body).

[0036] The outlet may be formed in the laser beam blocking unit downstream of the inlet in the optical path of the laser beam. In this case, gas flows from the upstream side to the downstream side in the optical path of the laser beam inside the laser beam blocking unit. This further reduces the possibility that the gasified dye will adhere to the objective lens of the laser beam irradiation unit.

[0037] The exhaust port may be provided upstream of the position of the resin body in the laser light blocking section in the optical path of the laser light. If the exhaust port is provided at the position of the resin body in the laser light blocking section or downstream of the position of the resin body in the optical path, the gas flowing in from the inlet passes through the resin body. When the gas passes through the resin body, the resin body to be heated is cooled by the gas, thereby deteriorating the heating efficiency. In contrast, if the exhaust port is provided upstream of the position of the resin body in the optical path, the gas flowing in from the inlet is less likely to reach the resin body. Therefore, the dye fixing device can appropriately suppress adhesion of the gasified dye to the objective lens while suppressing cooling of the resin body by the gas.

[0038] However, the positions of the inlet and outlet may be changed. For example, the laser light blocking unit may be formed with the inlet and outlet facing each other across the optical path between the objective lens of the laser light irradiating unit and the position where the resin body is installed. In this case, gas passes across the optical path of the laser light. Therefore, even if the gasified dye moves from the resin body toward the objective lens, the gasified dye is likely to flow to the outlet before reaching the objective lens. Furthermore, the laser light blocking unit may be provided with an outlet at the position where the resin body is installed or downstream of the position where the resin body is installed in the optical path. In this case, the gasified dye is also less likely to adhere to the objective lens.

[0039] The dye fixing device may include a thermal camera. The thermal camera is provided inside the laser light blocking section and detects the heat distribution of the resin body. In this case, the dye fixing device can more appropriately control the heating of the resin body based on the heat distribution detection result by the thermal camera.

[0040] The dye fixing device may further include a scanning unit that scans the resin body relatively with the laser light emitted from the laser light source. The control unit of the dye fixing device may control the driving of the scanning unit based on the heat distribution of the resin body detected by the thermal camera. In this case, the resin body is more appropriately heated with the laser light based on the actual heat distribution of the resin body.

[0041] The specific configuration of the scanning unit can be selected as appropriate. For example, the scanning unit may be a scanner (for example, at least one of a galvanometer mirror, a polygon mirror, an acousto-optical element, etc.) that deflects the traveling direction of the laser light. In this case, the scanning unit may be provided in the laser light irradiation unit. Furthermore, the scanning unit may be a moving unit that moves the position of the resin body relative to the laser light. Both the scanner and the moving unit may be used.

[0042] The outlet may be formed in the laser light blocking section downstream of the electromagnetic wave incident section that incidents the electromagnetic waves on the thermal camera in the optical path of the laser light. In this case, the dye heated and gasified by the laser light is less likely to adhere to the electromagnetic wave incident section of the thermal camera in addition to the objective lens of the laser light irradiating section. Therefore, degradation of the thermal camera's performance due to the dye adhering to the electromagnetic wave incident section is appropriately suppressed.

[0043] The electromagnetic wave incident section may be, for example, an imaging lens (e.g., a germanium lens) that focuses electromagnetic waves (e.g., infrared rays) generated from the resin body on the detection element of the thermal camera. The thermal camera may also be provided with a filter that blocks light of the wavelength of the laser light emitted by the laser light irradiation section. In this case, the electromagnetic wave incident section may be composed of an imaging lens and a filter.

[0044] The pressure difference generating unit may include at least one of an inflow fan and an exhaust fan. The inflow fan blows gas into the interior of the laser light blocking unit from the inflow port. The exhaust fan blows gas out of the laser light blocking unit from the exhaust port. By including at least one of the inflow fan and the exhaust fan, the dye fixing device can appropriately generate a pressure difference for flowing gas from the inflow port to the exhaust port with a simple configuration.

[0045] The dye fixing device may further include a drive detection unit that detects whether the pressure difference generating unit is operating normally. When the drive detection unit detects that the pressure difference generating unit is not operating normally, the control unit of the dye fixing device may execute at least one of a process of issuing a warning to an operator and a process of prohibiting the laser light irradiating unit from heating the resin body. In this case, adhesion of dye to the objective lens of the laser light irradiating unit due to a malfunction of the pressure difference generating unit or the like is appropriately suppressed.

[0046] (Third aspect) The dye fixing device exemplified in the present disclosure includes a laser light irradiating unit, a laser light blocking unit, and a radiant heat reflecting unit. The laser light irradiating unit irradiates the resin body with laser light. The laser light blocking unit is a cylindrical member that covers at least a portion of the periphery of the optical path of the laser light extending from the laser light irradiating unit to the resin body, thereby blocking leakage of the laser light outside the optical path. The radiant heat reflecting unit is provided on at least the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral portion of the laser light blocking unit that covers the periphery of the resin body, and reflects radiant heat from the resin body.

[0047] According to the dye fixing device exemplified in the present disclosure, leakage of laser light outside the optical path is blocked by a laser light blocking section. Furthermore, a radiant heat reflecting section is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral portion of the resin body that surrounds the resin body. Therefore, at least a portion of the radiant heat emitted from the resin body heated by the laser light is reflected back toward the resin body by the radiant heat reflecting section. As a result, heat from the resin body (particularly the peripheral portion) is less likely to diffuse to the surroundings, making it easier for the temperature of the resin body to be appropriately raised by the laser light. This makes it easier for the dye to be appropriately fixed to the resin body.

[0048] The radiant heat reflecting portion may be provided around the entire periphery of the cylindrical resin body. In this case, the radiant heat emitted from the resin body is more efficiently reflected by the radiant heat reflecting portion back to the resin body. Therefore, the resin body is more appropriately heated by the laser light.

[0049] However, the radiant heat reflecting portion may be provided in part (for example, intermittently) in the circumferential direction of the peripheral portion of the resin body. Even in this case, the resin body is heated appropriately compared to when no radiant heat reflecting portion is provided.

[0050] At least a portion of the laser light blocking portion, which is different from the peripheral portion of the resin body, may be formed of a light-transmitting member that blocks the laser light irradiated from the laser light irradiating portion and transmits visible light. In this case, the worker can see the state of the resin body covered by the laser light blocking portion through the light-transmitting member, thereby enabling the work to be performed more appropriately.

[0051] The entire cylindrical body of the laser beam blocking unit may be made of a light-transmitting material. The laser beam blocking unit may be formed by attaching a radiant heat reflecting unit to the body of the laser beam blocking unit made of a light-transmitting material. In this case, the worker can see the resin body from various parts other than the radiant heat reflecting unit.

[0052] However, the configuration of the laser light blocking section can be changed. For example, the entire body of the laser light blocking section may be formed by the radiant heat reflecting section.

[0053] The radiant heat reflecting portion may be made of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum and stainless steel tend to reflect radiant heat (electromagnetic waves), which makes it easier for the temperature of the resin body to rise.

[0054] However, the radiant heat reflecting portion may be made of a metal other than aluminum or stainless steel, or may be made of a material other than metal.

[0055] (Fourth aspect) The dyeing system exemplified in this disclosure includes a printing device, a transfer device, a dye fixing device, a color information measuring device, and a control unit. The printing device prints dye onto a substrate. The transfer device transfers dye onto a resin body while the resin body is facing the substrate (dye-covered substrate) on which the dye has been printed. The dye fixing device heats the resin body to which the dye has been transferred, thereby fixing the dye to the resin body. The color information measuring device measures color information of the resin body to which the dye has been fixed (i.e., the dyed resin body). The control unit executes a discharge amount determination step, a result color information acquisition step, and a correction step. In the discharge amount determination step, the control unit determines, according to a determination procedure, the amount of dye discharged onto the substrate by the printing device to dye the resin body with the intended color (planned color). In the result color information acquisition step, the control unit acquires result color information, which is color information measured by the color information measuring device, about the resin body actually dyed by the printing device, the transfer device, and the dye fixing device by using the amount of dye discharged determined in the discharge amount determination step. In the correction step, the control unit corrects the amount of dye discharged determined in the discharge amount determination step based on the resultant color information and the planned color, thereby bringing the color of the resin body dyed in the subsequent dyeing process closer to the planned color.

[0056] According to the dyeing system of the present disclosure, the dye ejection amount (i.e., the dye ejection amount for dyeing the resin body the planned color) determined in a subsequent ejection amount determination step is corrected based on the planned color to be dyed and the color of the resin body that has actually been dyed (the resultant color). As a result, in the subsequent dyeing process, the ejection amount of dye printed on the substrate to dye the planned color is corrected, so that the color of the resin body that is actually dyed approaches the planned color appropriately. Therefore, the planned color is appropriately dyed on the resin body.

[0057] The specific method for correcting the dye ejection amount determined in the ejection amount determination step can be selected as appropriate. For example, the control unit may correct the dye ejection amount based on the result of a comparison process between the resultant color information and the color information of the scheduled color. The comparison process may be, for example, a process of obtaining a difference between the resultant color information and the color information of the scheduled color, or a process of obtaining a ratio between the resultant color information and the color information of the scheduled color.

[0058] For example, the control unit may correct the dye discharge amount determined in the subsequent discharge amount determination step by correcting the determination procedure for determining the dye discharge amount in the discharge amount determination step. Various procedures can be adopted for the determination procedure for determining the dye discharge amount (i.e., the algorithm for determining the dye discharge amount). For example, a table correlating each color for dyeing the resin body with the discharge amount of each dye may be stored in the storage device. The control unit may determine the discharge amount by obtaining the discharge amount of each dye corresponding to the planned color from the table. In this case, the correction step may correct the determination procedure by correcting the information in the table. Furthermore, information (base color information) on the discharge amount of each dye for dyeing the resin body with each of multiple dyes of different colors (e.g., red, yellow, and blue) at planned concentrations may be stored in the storage device. The control unit may determine the discharge amount by calculating the discharge amount of each dye for dyeing the planned color based on the base color information. In this case, the correction step may correct the determination procedure by correcting the base color information.

[0059] Furthermore, in this disclosure, as a transfer method for transferring a dye to a resin body, a vapor phase transfer method is exemplified in which a resin body and a dye-coated substrate are placed opposite each other in a vacuum without contact, and a sublimable dye printed on the substrate is sublimated to transfer the dye to the resin body. However, the transfer method can be changed. For example, the dye may be transferred to the resin body while the dye-coated substrate is in contact with the resin body.

[0060] In the ejection amount determination step, the control unit may determine the ejection amount of the specific dye by setting a color of a predetermined density to be dyed with one specific dye from among multiple dyes that the printing device can eject as a predetermined color. In the correction step, the control unit may correct the ejection amount of the specific dye determined in the subsequent ejection amount determination step based on the density indicated by the resultant color information and the density of the predetermined color. In this case, the ejection amount of the specific dye is corrected so that the resin body is appropriately dyed with the predetermined density. Thus, the color dyed with the specific dye is appropriately dyed in the resin body with the predetermined density.

[0061] The control unit may repeatedly execute the ejection amount determination step, the result color information acquisition step, and the correction step, treating each of the multiple dyes that the printing device can eject as a specific dye. In this case, the ejection amount is corrected for each of the multiple dyes so that the resin body is appropriately dyed at the expected concentration. Thus, the resin body is appropriately dyed with a large number of colors expressed by combinations of multiple dyes.

[0062] In the ejection amount determination step, the control unit may determine the ejection amounts of the multiple dyes by setting a color of a predetermined density to be dyed with multiple dyes among the multiple dyes that the printing device can eject as a predetermined color. In the correction step, the control unit may correct the ejection amount of at least one of the multiple dyes based on the resultant color information and the predetermined color. In this case, it is also possible to correct the ejection amounts of the multiple dyes collectively.

[0063] The color information measuring instrument may be a spectrometer that measures the spectral spectrum of the resin body as color information. In this case, color information is acquired with reduced influence from the lighting environment, etc., compared to when an RGB camera or the like is used as the color information measuring instrument. This further improves dyeing quality. Furthermore, even when the resin body is dyed using multiple dyes, a spectral spectrum, which is the distribution of intensity for each wavelength, is acquired, so that the ejection amount of each of the multiple dyes can be appropriately corrected.

[0064] A specific method for correcting the dye ejection amount based on the spectral spectrum can also be selected as appropriate. For example, the control unit may acquire the spectral transmittance of the dyed resin body as resultant color information and correct the dye ejection amount based on the transmittance of the maximum absorption peak of each dye and the transmittance of the expected color. That is, if the transmittance of a color dyed with a specific dye is higher than expected, the control unit may increase the ejection amount of the specific dye compared to before correction, and if the transmittance is lower than expected, the control unit may decrease the ejection amount of the specific dye compared to before correction. When the resin body is dyed using multiple dyes, the control unit may correct the ejection amount for each dye based on the transmittance of the maximum absorption peak of each dye.

[0065] However, a measuring instrument other than a spectrometer (for example, an RGB camera) may be used as the color information measuring instrument. Also, by combining a general camera with an RGB filter, the spectral characteristics of the resin body may be estimated as color information.

[0066] The control unit may further execute a notification step of notifying the user that the quality of the dyeing of the resin body is poor if the difference between the resultant color information acquired in the resultant color information acquisition step and the planned color exceeds an allowable range. In this case, the user can easily understand that the dyeing of the resin body was not performed appropriately.

[0067] The control unit may execute a correction step if the difference between the resultant color information acquired in the resultant color information acquisition step and the planned color exceeds a threshold. In this case, if the dyeing quality is not good, the amount of dye discharged is corrected to improve the quality of subsequent dyeing. Thus, the resin body is dyed more appropriately.

[0068] The control unit may perform feedback control in which the correction step is repeated each time the resin body is dyed. In this case, the amount of dye ejected is appropriately corrected each time the resin body is actually dyed, thereby more appropriately dyeing the resin body.

[0069] However, the timing for executing the correction step can be selected as appropriate. For example, the correction step may be executed when the dyeing system is shipped from the manufacturer, when the dyeing system is first operated, or when maintenance of the dyeing system is performed. The control unit may also execute the correction step when a command to execute the correction step is input by a user. The control unit may also execute the correction step when the number of times the difference between the resultant color information and the planned color exceeds a threshold reaches a predetermined number.

[0070] The color information measuring instrument may be equipped with a plurality of light sources of different types (for example, two or more of a standard light source defined by a standard (e.g., CIE standard light source D65, etc.), a white light source, and a light source that emits light similar to sunlight). In this case, color information of the dyed resin body is appropriately acquired using the light source desired by the user.

[0071] The resin body to be dyed may be a lens used in eyeglasses. In the correction step, the control unit may correct the amount of dye ejection to be determined subsequently for each type of lens substrate to be dyed. Even if the amount of dye ejection is the same, the color of the dye varies depending on the type of lens substrate. Therefore, by correcting the amount of dye ejection for each type of lens substrate, the amount of dye ejection required to appropriately dye each substrate is determined depending on the substrate.

[0072] The control unit may acquire color information about the dyed color by acquiring color information about the lens before dyeing and subtracting the color information about the lens before dyeing from the resultant color information. In this case, the influence of the color of the lens before dyeing is eliminated, so the relationship between the amount of dye discharged and the dyeing result can be properly understood.

[0073] (Fifth aspect) The dyeing tray exemplified in the present disclosure is used to place a resin object to be dyed in a dyeing process using a vapor phase transfer dyeing method. The dyeing tray exemplified in the present disclosure includes a tray body and a mounting frame on which the resin object is placed. The mounting frame is detachable from the tray body.

[0074] When using the staining tray of the present disclosure, the worker can remove the mounting frame from the tray body and clean or discard the removed mounting frame, which allows the worker to perform the staining process more efficiently and appropriately than if the worker cleaned or discarded the entire tray.

[0075] The tray body may be provided with a mounting portion to which the mounting frame is detachably attached, which makes it easier to mount the mounting frame in an appropriate position, further improving staining quality.

[0076] The tray body may have a substrate mounting portion formed thereon. The substrate mounting portion may be formed on the tray body at an outer side above the mounting portion. A substrate to which a sublimable dye adheres is mounted on the substrate mounting portion. In this case, the sublimable dye is sublimated with the substrate mounted on the substrate mounting portion, thereby appropriately transferring the dye to the resin body.

[0077] The substrate mounting portion may be formed on the tray body on the outer side above the mounting portion. In this case, by placing the substrate on the substrate mounting portion, the substrate will be properly opposed to the resin body placed on the mounting frame.

[0078] The dyeing tray may further include a spacer. The spacer forms a space between the substrate placed on the substrate placement section and the placement frame. In this case, the sublimable dye is appropriately transferred from the substrate to the resin body through the space formed by the spacer. The spacer also appropriately prevents the sublimated dye from leaking to the outside.

[0079] The spacer may be a cylindrical member extending upward from the outer periphery of the mounting frame at a location on which the resin body is to be mounted, in which case the spacer forms an appropriate space between the base body and the mounting frame.

[0080] When the spacer is attached to the tray body, the upper end of the spacer may protrude above the mounting surface of the substrate mounting section. In this case, the upper end of the spacer is more likely to be in close contact with the substrate, making it even more difficult for the sublimated dye to leak to the outside.

[0081] The spacer may be a separate member from the mounting frame. In other words, the spacer and the mounting frame may be separate rather than integral. The spacer may be attached to and detached from the tray body together with the mounting frame. In this case, an operator can place the resin body on the mounting frame installed in the tray body with the spacer removed. When the spacer is removed, the space around the mounting frame is larger than when both the mounting frame and the spacer are installed in the tray body. Therefore, an operator can easily place the resin body on the mounting frame. Furthermore, when the mounting frame and the spacer are separate members, it is easy to use different materials for the mounting frame and the spacer. Therefore, manufacturers of dyeing trays can appropriately select materials according to the respective functions of the mounting frame and the spacer.

[0082] However, the mounting frame and the spacer may be integrated together, and even in this case, the sublimable dye is appropriately transferred to the resin body and is less likely to leak to the outside.

[0083] The tray body may further include a positioning portion. The positioning portion positions the substrate placed on the substrate placing portion relative to the resin body. In this case, the position of the substrate relative to the resin body is accurately determined by the positioning portion. This also reduces the possibility that the position of the substrate will be misaligned relative to the resin body. This allows for easier, higher quality dyeing. The positioning portion may protrude upward from the tray body outside the substrate placing portion. In this case, the substrate is appropriately positioned inside the positioning portion.

[0084] The tray body may further include a base protection section. The base protection section extends above the mounting surface of the substrate mounting section of the tray body, on which the substrate is mounted, to a position at least as high as the thickness of the substrate. In this case, even if some object (e.g., another dyeing tray, etc.) is stacked on the staining tray with the substrate mounted thereon, the stacked object is likely to come into contact with the base protection section rather than the substrate, making it less likely that damage to the substrate will occur. Therefore, a decrease in staining quality is appropriately suppressed. Note that it is more desirable that the height of the base protection section from the mounting surface of the substrate mounting section be greater than the thickness of the substrate. In this case, the substrate is more appropriately protected.

[0085] At least a part of the positioning portion may serve as at least a part of the base protection portion, which can easily simplify the structure of the staining tray having both the function of positioning the base and the function of protecting the base.

[0086] The tray body may further include a bottom fitting portion and an upper fitting portion. The bottom fitting portion is a recess formed in the bottom of the tray body. The upper fitting portion is a protrusion formed in the upper portion of the tray body, which fits into the bottom fitting portion of the stacked tray body when another tray body is stacked on top. In this case, multiple staining trays can be stacked one above the other in a stable manner.

[0087] At least a part of the positioning portion may be used in combination with at least a part of the upper fitting portion. Also, at least a part of the base protection portion may be used in combination with at least a part of the upper fitting portion. In this case, the structure of the staining tray can be easily simplified.

[0088] The height of the upper fitting portion from the mounting surface of the substrate mounting portion may be equal to or greater than the sum of the depth of the bottom fitting portion and the thickness of the substrate. In this case, even if multiple dyeing trays are stacked one on top of the other, the substrate is unlikely to come into contact with the dyeing tray stacked on top, making it less likely that damage to the substrate will occur. This appropriately prevents a decrease in dyeing quality. It is more desirable that the height of the substrate protection portion from the mounting surface of the substrate mounting portion be greater than the sum of the depth of the bottom fitting portion and the thickness of the substrate. In this case, the substrate is more appropriately protected.

[0089] The resin object to be dyed may be a lens used for eyeglasses. One tray body may be formed with two mounting portions to which the mounting frames are attached. In this case, a pair of eyeglass lenses (left and right) are dyed while placed on one staining tray. This further improves the worker's work efficiency.

[0090] Multiple types of mounting frames may be provided depending on the diameter of the lens to be dyed. In this case, by appropriately selecting a mounting frame corresponding to the diameter of the lens, various lenses with different diameters can be appropriately dyed using a single tray body.

[0091] The mounting frame and the mounting section may each be formed with a light-transmitting section that transmits light in the vertical direction. In this case, at least one of the color information and the optical characteristics of the lens can be measured while the lens is placed (mounted) on the staining tray. This further improves work efficiency.

[0092] A recess that widens outward from the mounting portion may be formed around the mounting portion of the tray body, allowing an operator to insert a finger or the like into the recess to easily attach and detach various components (e.g., the mounting frame, the resin body, etc.) to and from the mounting portion.

[0093] The mounting portion may further include a sensor transmission portion that transmits light emitted by the optical sensor. In this case, the optical sensor appropriately detects whether or not at least one of the resin body, the mounting frame, and the spacer is installed on the tray body.

[0094] The melting point of the material of at least the portion of the mounting frame that comes into contact with the resin body may be 200°C or higher. During the fixing process in the vapor phase transfer dyeing method, the resin body becomes hot. Therefore, by making the melting point of the material of the mounting frame 200°C or higher, deformation of the mounting frame and the like are appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of the material of at least the portion of the mounting frame that comes into contact with the resin body may be 0.5 W / mK or lower. In this case, heat is less likely to be conducted from the heated resin body to the outside, making it easier for the resin body to be heated appropriately. By making the melting point of the material of the mounting frame 200°C or higher and the thermal conductivity 0.5 W / mK or lower, deformation of the mounting frame and the like are suppressed, and the resin body is easily heated.

[0095] The above-mentioned identifier or tag may be provided on the tray body. The tray body can be used more times than the mounting frame, etc. Therefore, the frequency with which identifiers or tags are attached to members is reduced compared to when the identifiers or tags are provided on the mounting frame, etc.

[0096] In the present disclosure, the tray on which the resin body is placed is used as the mounting portion on which the resin body is mounted. However, the configuration of the mounting portion can be changed. For example, the mounting portion may hold the resin body by clamping it from the sides.

[0097] <Embodiment> A typical embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. A dyeing system 1 automatically and continuously dyes a resin object. In this embodiment, the resin object to be dyed is a plastic lens L used in eyeglasses (see FIG. 2, etc.). However, at least a portion of the techniques exemplified in this disclosure can also be applied to dyeing resin objects other than lenses L. For example, at least a portion of the techniques exemplified in this disclosure can be applied to dyeing various resin objects, such as goggles, mobile phone covers, light covers, accessories, toys, films (e.g., having a thickness of 400 μm or less), and boards (e.g., having a thickness of 400 μm or more). The resin objects to be dyed also include resin objects attached to a different material (e.g., wood or glass). Furthermore, the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment dyes multiple resin objects while continuously transporting them. However, at least a portion of the techniques exemplified in this disclosure can also be employed in a dyeing system that transports and dyes resin objects one set at a time.

[0098] (System Configuration) The system configuration of a dyeing system 1 of this embodiment will be described briefly with reference to Fig. 1. The dyeing system 1 of this embodiment includes a conveying device 10, a preparation unit 20, a printing device 30, a transfer device 40, a dye fixing device 50, a coating device 60, and a control device 70.

[0099] Although details will be described later, the transfer device 40 and the dye fixing device 50 of this embodiment are included in an automatic dyeing device 3 that automatically and continuously transfers and fixes dye onto a plurality of lenses L. Note that the automatic dyeing device 3 may also incorporate devices other than the transfer device 40 and the dye fixing device 50 (for example, a printing device 30, etc.).

[0100] The transport device 10 transports transport units U (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 8) to the automatic dyeing device 3 and the like. Specifically, the transport device 10 of this embodiment transports multiple transport units U successively to the printing device 30, the automatic dyeing device 3, and the like. The transport device 10 of this embodiment transports the transport units U in the following order (i.e., from left to right in FIG. 1): the preparation unit 20, the printing device 30, the transfer device 40, the dye fixing device 50, and the coating device 60. The transport unit U includes a dyeing tray 80 (see FIG. 2) and a lens L placed on the dyeing tray 80. The dyeing tray 80 is an example of a mounting section where the lens L, which is a resin body, is mounted. Furthermore, the transport unit U may also include a sheet-like substrate S (dye-applied substrate) having a dye attached to its surface (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 8).

[0101] The pre-preparation unit 20 performs preparations before actually transferring and fixing the dye to the lens L. In detail, the pre-preparation unit 20 of this embodiment includes an optical characteristic measuring device 21 and a rotation device 22.

[0102] The optical property measuring device 21 includes a measurement optical system that measures the optical properties of the lens L. The optical property measuring device 21 projects a measurement light beam onto the lens L and receives the measurement light beam that has passed through the lens L, thereby reading the optical properties of the lens L (e.g., spherical power, cylindrical power, cylindrical axis angle, prism power, etc.). By measuring the cylindrical axis angle of the lens L, the angle of the rotation direction of the lens L is determined. A known configuration can be employed for the optical property measuring device 21, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted (the configuration of the optical property measuring device 21 is described in, for example, JP 2012-107910 A, etc.).

[0103] The rotation device 22 includes a support portion that supports the lens L and an actuator (e.g., a motor) that rotates the lens L supported by the support portion. The rotation device 22 determines the rotation direction of the lens L by rotating the lens L, which is a type of resin body, for each transport unit U transported by the transport device 10. The rotation device 22 of this embodiment determines the rotation direction of the lens L to a target direction by rotating the lens L based on the angle of the rotation direction of the lens L measured by the optical property measuring device 21. As will be described in detail later, the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment rotates the lens L to align the angle of the lens L with the angle of the dye printed on the substrate S when gradation dyeing is performed and the lens L is not symmetrical about the geometric center axis.

[0104] The specific method for rotating the lens L by the rotation device 22 may be changed. First, the method for determining the angle of the rotation direction of the lens L is not limited to the method of measuring the astigmatic axis angle of the lens L. For example, the preparation unit 20 may include a hidden mark detection unit that detects a hidden mark indicating the angle of the rotation direction of the lens L. In this case, the rotation device 22 may determine the angle of the rotation direction of the lens L based on the hidden mark detected by the hidden mark detection unit and rotate the lens L based on the determination result. Furthermore, at least one of determining the angle of the lens L and rotating the lens L may be performed by an operator. Furthermore, it goes without saying that if the lens L has a shape that is symmetrical about the geometric center axis, the step of rotating the lens L can be omitted.

[0105] The printing device 30 prints dye onto a sheet-like substrate S (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 8). In this embodiment, the substrate S is made of paper or a metallic film (made of aluminum in this embodiment) of appropriate hardness. However, other materials such as glass, heat-resistant resin, and ceramic can also be used for the substrate S. In addition, as will be described in detail later, in the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment, in order to properly transfer the dye to the lens L while preventing the dye from coagulating, the dye on the substrate S is heated in a vacuum (including a near-vacuum) environment, with the substrate S and the lens L spaced apart and facing each other, to transfer (deposit) the dye onto the surface of the lens L (the dyeing method in this embodiment is referred to as a vapor-phase transfer dyeing method). Therefore, the printing device 30 is an inkjet printer that prints ink containing a sublimation dye onto the substrate S. The printing device 30 can also print ordinary ink that does not contain a sublimation dye onto the substrate S. The printing device 30 executes printing based on print data created by a control device 70, which is an information processing device (in this embodiment, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC")). As a result, an appropriate amount of dye adheres to an appropriate position on the substrate S. It is also easy to create a dye-coated substrate S for gradation dyeing.

[0106] The configuration of the printing device 30 can be changed. For example, the printing device may be a laser printer. In this case, the toner may contain a sublimable dye. Also, instead of the printing device 30, the dye may be applied to the substrate S by a dispenser (a device for applying a fixed amount of liquid), a roller, or the like.

[0107] The transfer device 40 transfers the dye from the substrate S, on which the dye has been printed, to the lens L, for each transport unit U transported by the transport device 10, with the substrate S facing the lens L. As described above, in this embodiment, the dye is transferred from the substrate S to the lens L by a vapor phase transfer method. However, it is also possible to change the method of transferring the dye to the lens L. For example, the dye may be transferred from the substrate S to the lens L with the substrate S and the lens L in contact with each other. The configuration of the transfer device 40 will be described in detail below.

[0108] The dye fixing device 50 heats the lens L for each transport unit U transported by the transport device 10, thereby fixing the dye adhered to the surface of the lens L into a resin body. The dye fixing device 50 of this embodiment heats the lens L by irradiating the lens L with laser light, which is an electromagnetic wave. However, a device that irradiates the lens L with electromagnetic waves other than laser light (for example, an oven) may also be used as the dye fixing device. The configuration of the dye fixing device 50 will be described in detail below.

[0109] A color information measuring instrument 51 is provided downstream of the dye fixing device 50 on the conveying path of the conveying unit U by the conveying device 10 (on the path between the dye fixing device 50 and the coating device 60 in this embodiment) to measure color information of the lens L dyed (fixed) with dye by the transfer device 40 and the dye fixing device 50. The color information measuring instrument 51 of this embodiment is a spectrometer that measures the spectral spectrum of the lens L (more specifically, the transmission spectrum in this embodiment) as color information. Therefore, compared to when an RGB camera or the like is used, color information is acquired in a state where the influence of the lighting environment, etc. is suppressed. Furthermore, even when the lens L is dyed using multiple dyes, a spectral spectrum, which is a distribution of intensity for each wavelength, is acquired, so color information of the dyed lens L can be appropriately acquired.

[0110] However, a device other than a spectrometer (for example, an RGB camera) may be used as the color information measuring device. The location where the color information measuring device 51 is provided may also be changed. For example, the color information measuring device 51 may be provided in the dye fixing device 50. The color information measuring device 51 may also be provided downstream of the coating device 60 on the conveying path.

[0111] The coating device 60 applies a coating to the surface of the lens L on which the dye has been fixed by the dye fixing device 50, for each transport unit U transported by the transport device 10. The specific method used by the coating device 60 to coat the lens L can be selected as appropriate. For example, at least one of a spray method, an inkjet method, a spin method, a dip method, etc. may be adopted as the coating method. The type of coating may also be selected as appropriate from a wide variety of types (for example, a hard coat, an anti-reflection coat, a water-repellent coat, a primer coat, etc.).

[0112] The control device 70 controls various operations in the dyeing system 1. Various information processing devices (e.g., at least one of a PC, a server, and a mobile terminal) can be used as the control device 70. The control device 70 includes a controller (e.g., a CPU) 71 that controls the operations and a database 72 that stores various data. The configuration of the control device 70 can also be changed. First, multiple devices may cooperate to function as the control device 70. For example, the control device that controls various operations in the dyeing system 1 and the control device that includes the database 72 may be separate devices. Furthermore, controllers of multiple devices may cooperate to execute various controls in the dyeing system 1. For example, at least one of the conveying device 10, the optical property measuring device 21, the rotating device 22, the printing device 30, the transferring device 40, the dye fixing device 50, and the coating device 60 often includes a controller. In this case, the controller of the control device 70 and the controllers of the other devices may cooperate to control the dyeing system 1.

[0113] The staining system 1 includes a reading unit 2 for each transport unit U that reads information about the transport unit U. As an example, the reading unit 2 in this embodiment is an identifier reading unit that reads an identifier provided in the transport unit U. The transport unit U is identified by the identifier read by the identifier reading unit 2. The type of identifier used in the staining system 1 can be selected as appropriate. For example, at least one of a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, an identification hole formed according to a predetermined rule, etc. can be adopted as the identifier. The identifier reading unit 2 may be any identifier reader that supports the identifier being used (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) reader, a barcode reader, an identification hole reader, etc.).

[0114] In this embodiment, when the lens L is heated by the dye fixing device 50, the temperature of the transport unit U rises. Furthermore, when the dye is transferred to the lens L by the transfer device 40, the substrate S is heated, causing the temperature of the transport unit U to rise. Furthermore, the transfer device 40 of this embodiment transfers the dye to the lens L in a substantially vacuum environment. Therefore, it is conceivable that the influence of heat and air pressure may make it difficult for the reading unit 2 to read information. However, in this embodiment, an identifier that is less susceptible to the influence of heat and air pressure is provided on the transport unit U. Therefore, the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment can properly read information about the transport unit U while performing a dyeing process that requires heating and decompression.

[0115] However, it is also possible to change the configuration of the reading unit 2. For example, a tag (such as an IC tag) to which information can be written may be provided to the transport unit U. The information written to the tag may include parameters of a treatment to be performed on the lens L included in the transport unit U. In this case, a tag reading unit that reads information from the tag may be used as the reading unit 2. By having the tag reading unit 2 read the information from the tag, the control device 70 can appropriately obtain parameters of a treatment to be performed on each lens L.

[0116] Furthermore, the optical property measuring device 21 that reads the optical properties of the lens L may function as a reading unit that reads information about the transport unit U. Furthermore, the hidden mark detection unit that detects hidden marks on the lens L may function as a reading unit that reads information about the transport unit U.

[0117] In this embodiment, a reading unit 2 is provided in each of the multiple devices that make up the dyeing system 1. More specifically, a reading unit 2A is provided in a position on the transport path of the transport unit U by the transport device 10, before (upstream of) the position where the transport unit U reaches the preparatory unit 20. A reading unit 2B is provided in the preparatory unit 20. A reading unit 2C is provided in the printing device 30. A reading unit 2D is provided in the transfer device 40. A reading unit 2E is provided in the dye fixing device 50. A reading unit 2F is provided in the coating device 60. By providing a reading unit 2 in each of the multiple devices, information related to the transport unit U is read each time the transport unit U is transported to each device, and various processes are then executed appropriately.

[0118] However, it is also possible to change the position of the reading unit 2. First, it is also possible to omit at least one of the multiple reading units 2A to 2F shown in FIG. 1. For example, only the reading unit 2A provided on the upstream side of the transport path may be used. The control device 70 may determine the position to which each transport unit U is transported by the transport device 10. In this case, the control device 70 may perform a process for each lens L based on the position of each transport unit U and information about the transport unit U read by the reading unit 2.

[0119] (dyeing tray) The staining tray 80 used in the staining system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As described above, the staining tray 80 is an example of a mounting section on which lenses L are mounted during transportation. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the staining tray 80 in which two lenses L are mounted (placed) and no substrate S is mounted. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the staining tray 80, showing an exploded view of a mounting frame 89, lenses L, and spacer 87 mounted in one of two mounting sections 82.

[0120] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the dyeing tray 80 of this embodiment includes a tray body 81, a mounting frame 89, and a spacer 87. The tray body 81, the mounting frame 89, and the spacer 87 are all formed of materials capable of withstanding high temperatures and low pressures (substantially a vacuum). In this embodiment, at least the portion of the mounting frame 89 that is placed and comes into contact with the lens L (in this embodiment, the entire mounting frame 89) is formed of a material with a melting point of 200°C or higher (for example, at least one of fluororesin such as Teflon (registered trademark), stainless steel, and aluminum). In the fixing process of the vapor transfer dyeing method (details will be described later), the lens L becomes hot. Therefore, by using a material of the mounting frame 89 with a melting point of 200°C or higher, deformation of the mounting frame 89 can be appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, it is more desirable that at least the portion of the mounting frame 89 that the lens L is placed on and comes into contact with (in this embodiment, the entire mounting frame 89) be made of a material with a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W / mK or less (for example, a fluororesin such as Teflon (registered trademark)). By making the material of the mounting frame 89 have a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W / mK or less, heat is less likely to be conducted from the heated lens L to the mounting frame 89, making it easier for the lens L to be heated appropriately. In this embodiment, the tray body 81 and the spacer 87 are made of metal (aluminum), and the mounting frame 89 is made of Teflon (registered trademark). However, the material of the staining tray 80 can be changed. For example, the tray body 81 and the spacer 87 may be made of resin or the like. The mounting frame 89 may be made of metal or the like.

[0121] A resin object to be dyed (a lens L in this embodiment) is placed on the mounting frame 89. The mounting frame 89 in this embodiment is formed in a ring shape with an outer diameter slightly larger than the lens L. A light-transmitting portion 89S, which is a circular hole that transmits light in the vertical direction, is formed in the center of the mounting frame 89. Instead of a hole, the light-transmitting portion 89S may be formed from a light-transmitting substance (e.g., glass, etc.). Multiple types of mounting frames 89, each with an annular step portion having a different diameter on which the lens L is placed, are provided depending on the diameter of the lens L to be installed. The operator places the lens L on the staining tray 80 using a mounting frame 89 that corresponds to the diameter of the lens L to be stained.

[0122] The spacer 87 extends upward in a tubular (cylindrical) shape from the outer periphery of the portion of the mounting frame 89 on which the lens L is placed. As described above, in this embodiment, the spacer 87 and the mounting frame 89 are separate members. Therefore, an operator can place the lens L on the mounting frame 89 with the spacer 87 removed. This allows the operator to easily place the lens L on the mounting frame 89. Furthermore, because the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87 are separate members, it is easy to use different materials for the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87. However, the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87 may be integrated.

[0123] The tray body 81 is formed with an attachment section 82. A mounting frame 89 and a spacer 87 are detachably attached to the attachment section 82. Therefore, an operator can remove the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87 from the attachment section 82 of the tray body 81 and clean or discard only the removed mounting frame 89 and spacer 87. Therefore, of the staining tray 80, only the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87, which are likely to become stained with dye during the staining process, can be efficiently cleaned or discarded.

[0124] The mounting portion 82 of this embodiment is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the ring-shaped mounting frame 89 and the diameter of the cylindrical spacer 87. This allows the worker to easily mount the mounting frame 89 on the mounting portion 82. However, it goes without saying that the shapes of the mounting frame 89 and the mounting portion 82 can be changed as appropriate.

[0125] 3, a light-transmitting portion 82S, which is a hole (a circular hole in this embodiment) that transmits light in the vertical direction, is formed in the bottom (in the center of the bottom in this embodiment) of the mounting portion 82, which is a cylindrical bottomed portion. The light-transmitting portion 82S may be formed of a light-transmitting substance (e.g., glass) instead of a hole. Since the light-transmitting portion 82S is formed in the mounting portion 82 and the light-transmitting portion 89S is also formed in the mounting frame 89, it is possible to measure the color information, optical characteristics, etc. of the lens L when the lens L is placed (mounted) on the staining tray 80 and the base S is removed from the staining tray 80.

[0126] In this embodiment, two mounting portions 82 are formed on one tray main body 81. Therefore, a pair of lenses (left and right) L used for one pair of spectacles are dyed while placed on one dyeing tray 80. This improves the work efficiency of the worker.

[0127] A substrate mounting portion 85 on which a sheet-like substrate S (see FIGS. 5, 6, and 8) to which sublimation dye adheres is mounted is formed on the outer side of the tray main body 81 above the mounting portion 82. By mounting the substrate S on the substrate mounting portion 85, the sublimation dye adhered to the substrate S faces the lens L mounted on the mounting frame 89. Therefore, the dye is properly transferred to the resin body.

[0128] The cylindrical spacer 87 forms a space between the substrate S placed on the substrate placement section 85 and the lens L placed on the placement frame 89. Therefore, the sublimable dye is appropriately transferred from the substrate S to the lens L through the space formed by the spacer 87. The spacer 87 also appropriately prevents the sublimated dye from leaking to the outside. Therefore, the outside of the space is less likely to be soiled with the dye, and the dyeing quality is less likely to deteriorate.

[0129] When the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87 are mounted in the mounting section 82, the upper end of the spacer 87 protrudes above the mounting surface of the substrate mounting section 85. This makes it easier for the substrate S mounted on the substrate mounting section 85 to come into close contact with the upper end of the spacer 87, making it even more difficult for the sublimated dye to leak to the outside.

[0130] Recesses 83 extending outward from the mounting portions 82 are formed around the mounting portions 82 of the tray main body 81 (i.e., recesses 83 forming spaces between the mounting frame 89 and spacer 87 and the tray main body 81). Therefore, an operator can easily remove the mounting frame 89, spacer 87, and lens L from the mounting portions 82 by inserting a finger or the like into the recesses 83. The recesses 83 in this embodiment are notches formed in the substantially plate-shaped tray main body 81. However, the configuration of the recesses 83 can be modified. For example, recesses recessed below the top surface of the mounting frame 89 when mounted in the mounting portions 82 may be formed. Furthermore, four recesses 83 are formed around each mounting portion 82. However, it goes without saying that the number of recesses 83 can be modified as needed.

[0131] 3, a pair of sensor transmission portions 82T that transmit light emitted by the optical sensor are formed on the side surface of the mounting portion 82, which is a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom. Therefore, the optical sensor appropriately detects whether at least one of the lens L, the mounting frame 89, and the spacer 87 (the spacer 87 in this embodiment) is mounted in the mounting portion 82. When the optical sensor detects that the spacer 87 is not mounted in the mounting portion 82, the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment prohibits the transfer step by the transfer device 40 and the fixing step by the dye fixing device 50 (i.e., irradiation of laser light to fix the dye).

[0132] At a position on the tray main body 81 outside the mounting portion 82 (more specifically, outside the substrate mounting portion 85), protrusions 84 (84A, 84B) are provided that protrude above the mounting surface of the substrate mounting portion 85 on which the substrate S is placed.

[0133] The base S in this embodiment has a rectangular sheet shape that covers both mounting portions 82. In this embodiment, a plurality of (eight) protrusions 84 are formed at positions along the outer periphery of the base S when it is placed in an appropriate position on the staining tray 80 (i.e., when it is properly placed on the base placement portion 85). Therefore, by placing the base S in an area (the base placement portion 85) surrounded by the plurality of protrusions 84, the base S is properly positioned with respect to the lens L. This also reduces the possibility that the position of the placed base S will be misaligned with respect to the lens L. In other words, at least a portion of the plurality of protrusions 84 in this embodiment (all of the protrusions 84A and 84B in this embodiment) function as positioning portions that position the base S with respect to the lens L.

[0134] Furthermore, at least some of the multiple protrusions 84 (in this embodiment, all of the protrusions 84A, 84B) protrude above the mounting surface of the substrate mounting portion 85 on which the substrate S is mounted, to a position that is higher than the thickness of the substrate S. Therefore, even if some object is stacked on the dyeing tray 80 with the substrate S mounted thereon, the stacked object is likely to come into contact with the protrusions 84, and therefore the object is unlikely to come into contact with the substrate S. Therefore, damage to the substrate S is unlikely to occur. As described above, the protrusions 84 in this embodiment function as a substrate protection portion that protects the substrate S mounted on the dyeing tray 80 from objects stacked on top of the substrate S.

[0135] In this embodiment, the multiple protrusions 84 serve as both the positioning portions and the base body protection portions. In other words, the protrusions 84 serve as both at least a part of the positioning portions and at least a part of the base body protection portions. Therefore, the structure of the staining tray 80 can be easily simplified.

[0136] Bottom fitting portions 86, which are upwardly recessed recesses, are formed on the bottom of the tray body 81 (two portions on the bottom of each mounting portion 82 in this embodiment). Of the multiple protrusions 84 formed on the upper portion of the tray body 81, four protrusions 84B adjacent to the mounting portions 82 fit into the bottom fitting portions 86 of the stacked dyeing tray 80 when another dyeing tray 80 (tray body 81) is stacked on top of the dyeing tray 80. In other words, the four protrusions 84B function as upper fitting portions that fit into the bottom fitting portions 86 of the other tray body 81 stacked on top. Therefore, multiple dyeing trays 80 can be stacked vertically in a stable manner. Note that the bottom fitting portions 86 and the upper fitting portions in this embodiment are each arranged asymmetrically (e.g., rotationally asymmetrically). This makes it easy for the operator to stack multiple dyeing trays 80 in the same orientation.

[0137] Furthermore, the height of the protrusion 84B from the mounting surface of the base mounting portion 85 is equal to or greater than the sum of the depth of the bottom fitting portion 86 (depth of the recess) and the thickness of the base S. Therefore, even when a plurality of dyeing trays 80 are stacked with the base S placed on the base mounting portion 85, the base S is unlikely to come into contact with the dyeing tray 80 stacked on top, and therefore damage to the base S is unlikely to occur.

[0138] As described above, in this embodiment, the protrusion 84B serves as the upper fitting portion, the positioning portion, and the base protection portion, which easily simplifies the structure of the staining tray 80. However, two or all of the upper fitting portion, the positioning portion, and the base protection portion may be configured as separate members.

[0139] It goes without saying that when a plurality of protrusions 84 are provided on the tray main body 81, the number of protrusions 84 is not limited to eight. It is also possible to change the shape of the protrusions 84. For example, the protrusions may be rib-shaped members extending upward from positions along the outer periphery of the base body S.

[0140] The tray body 81 is provided with an identifier 88 that is read by the reading unit 2. The tray body 81 can be used more times than the mounting frame 89, etc. Therefore, the identifier 88 needs to be attached to a member less frequently than when the identifier 88 is attached to the mounting frame 89, etc. Note that when a tag reading unit that reads information from a tag is used as the reading unit 2 (see FIG. 1 ), a tag to which information can be written may be provided on the tray body 81 instead of the identifier 88.

[0141] (automatic staining equipment) The automatic dyeing device 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 12. As described above, the automatic dyeing device 3 of this embodiment includes a transfer device 40 and a dye fixing device 50, and automatically and continuously transfers and fixes dye onto a plurality of lenses L. The automatic dyeing device 3 is incorporated into the dyeing system 1 together with a printing device 30 and the like. As described above, the printing device 30 and the like may also be incorporated into the automatic dyeing device 3.

[0142] As shown in Fig. 4, the automatic dyeing apparatus 3 has a substantially box-shaped housing 31. Inside the housing 31, a transfer and fixing unit 4 (see Fig. 5) is built in which a transfer device 40, a dye fixing device 50, etc. are assembled to a part of a conveying device 10. Of the transfer and fixing unit 4, the left and right ends of the conveying device 10 protrude outward from the housing 31.

[0143] The front face 32 of the housing 31 (the front left side in FIG. 3 ) is connected at its right end to the main body of the housing 31 via a hinge and is provided rotatably relative to the main body of the housing 31. When maintenance or the like is performed on the automatic staining device 3, the entire front face 32 is opened. A wide area slightly above the vertical center of the housing 31 is formed of a transparent member. Therefore, an operator can check the procedure being performed by the automatic staining device 3 through the transparent member. An emergency stop button 34 and the like are provided slightly below the vertical center on the front face 32 of the housing 31. A touch panel 35 is provided at the top of the front face 32 of the housing 31, allowing the user to input various operation instructions.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 5, the transfer and fixing unit 4 includes a part of the transport device 10, a transfer device 40, a dye fixing device 50, and a substrate holding device 90. The transport device 10 of this embodiment generally transports multiple transport units U continuously from the upstream side (left side of FIG. 5) to the downstream side (right side of FIG. 5) in the transport direction. In the transfer and fixing unit 4, the transfer device 40, the dye fixing device 50, and the substrate holding device 90 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction. The transport device 10 transports the transport units U in the order of the transfer device 40, the substrate holding device 90, the dye fixing device 50, and the substrate holding device 90. The dye fixing device 50 and the substrate holding device 90 may be arranged in reverse. The automatic dyeing apparatus 3 of this embodiment transports the transport unit U containing the substrate S having the dye attached thereto to the transfer and fixing unit 4.

[0145] (Transportation device) 6 and 7, the conveying device 10 included in the transfer / fixing unit 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the conveying device 10 has a pair of rails 101 extending in the conveying direction. A rotating belt 102 is provided near the rails 101 and arranged along the rails 101. The rotating belt 102 is connected to a conveying motor 103 (for example, a step motor or the like). The conveying motor 103 is driven to rotate the rotating belt 102. The rotation of the rotating belt 102 moves the conveying unit U along the rails 101 in the conveying direction.

[0146] Sensors (photoelectric sensors in this embodiment) 104 for detecting the presence or absence of the transport unit U are provided at multiple positions on the rail 101. Based on the detection results of each of the multiple sensors 104, the control device 70 can detect the position of the transport unit U being transported by the transport device 10.

[0147] The transport device 10 includes a first delivery section 110 and a second delivery section 120. The first delivery section 110 is provided at a transfer delivery position near the transfer device 40 (see FIG. 5), and is used to deliver the transport unit U between the transport device 10 and the transfer device 40. The second delivery section 120 is provided at a fixing delivery position near the dye fixing device 50 (see FIG. 5), and is used to deliver the resin body (lens L) of the transport unit U between the transport device 10 and the dye fixing device 50.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 7, the first delivery section 110 includes a base section 111, a left arm section 112, a right arm section 113, and a vertical movement section 114. The base section 111 connects the left arm section 112 and the right arm section 113. Specifically, the left arm section 112 extends upward from the left end of the base section 111 and bends to the right from its upper end. The right arm section 113 extends upward from the right end of the base section 111 and bends to the left from its upper end. The distance between the upper end of the left arm section 112 and the upper end of the right arm section 113 is set to be slightly shorter than the left-right length of the staining tray 80 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0149] The vertical movement unit 114 is fixed to the base 111. The vertical movement unit 114 is an actuator such as a motor, a cylinder, or a solenoid (a cylinder in this embodiment). When the vertical movement unit 114 is driven, the base 111, the left arm unit 112, and the right arm unit 113 move up and down together. When the transport unit U is transported to a predetermined transfer delivery position near the transfer device 40, the left arm unit 112 and the right arm unit 113 are moved upward, thereby lifting the transport unit U at the transfer delivery position. The transport unit U lifted by the first delivery unit 110 is delivered to the transfer device 40 (details will be described later). Furthermore, when the left arm unit 112 and the right arm unit 113 are moved upward, the transport unit U is delivered from the transfer device 40 to the first delivery unit 110. Thereafter, the left arm unit 112 and the right arm unit 113 are lowered, thereby returning the transport unit U to the transport path.

[0150] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, the second delivery section 120 includes a lens lift section 121, a vertical movement section 122, and a resin body switching section 123. The lens lift section 121 is located below the transport unit U when it is transported to the fixing delivery position. The vertical movement section 122 is fixed to the lens lift section 121. The vertical movement section 122 is an actuator such as a motor, a cylinder, or a solenoid (a cylinder in this embodiment). When the vertical movement section 122 is driven, the lens lift section 121 moves up and down. When the lens lift section 121 moves upward, one of the two lenses L of the transport unit U is delivered to a fixing position where a fixing process is performed by the dye fixing device 50. When the lens lift section 121 moves downward, the lens L is delivered from the fixing position to the transport path. The resin body switching section 123 includes an actuator such as a motor, a cylinder, or a solenoid (a cylinder in this embodiment). The resin body switching section 123 switches the lens L to be placed at the fixing position out of the two lenses L included in the transport unit U by moving the lens lift section 121 in the transport direction using an actuator.

[0151] The transport device 10 includes a plurality of unit positioning units 130. The unit positioning units 130 are provided at predetermined positions on the transport path between the pair of rails 101. When the unit positioning units 130 are moved upward by a vertical actuator (not shown), the unit positioning units 130 come into contact with the transport unit U transported along the transport path, and the transport of the transport unit U stops at a predetermined location. Therefore, the transport device 10 of this embodiment can accurately stop the transport unit U at a predetermined position on the transport path. In other words, the automatic staining apparatus 3 of this embodiment can stop the transport unit U at a more accurate position by using both the sensor 104 and the unit positioning units 130. However, it is also possible to omit either the sensor 104 or the unit positioning units 130.

[0152] (Transfer device) The transfer device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the transfer device 40 of this embodiment includes a base 401, electromagnetic wave passing units 410R and 410L, an electromagnetic wave generating unit 420, a closed chamber set unit 430, and an air pressure control unit 450. The base 401 supports the transfer device 40. The electromagnetic wave passing units 410R and 410L pass the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 420 to a substrate S disposed in a closed chamber C (see FIG. 9), which will be described later. The electromagnetic wave generating unit 420 generates electromagnetic waves for heating the substrate S. The closed chamber set unit 430, together with the base 401 and the like, forms the closed chamber C. In other words, the interior of the closed chamber C is an enclosed space surrounded by the closed chamber set unit 430 and the base 401 and the like. Furthermore, the closed chamber setting section 430 sets the transport unit U delivered from the first delivery section 110 (see FIG. 7) of the transport device 10 inside the closed chamber C. The air pressure control section 450 changes the air pressure inside the closed chamber C.

[0153] The base 401 includes a bottom 402, a right column 403R, a left column 403L, and a base 404. The bottom 402 is placed on an installation location and supports the entire transfer device 40. The right column 403R extends upward from the right end of the bottom 402. The left column 403L extends upward from the left end of the bottom 402. The base 404 is fixed to the upper end of the right column 403R and the upper end of the left column 403L. Therefore, when the base 401 is viewed from the front-to-rear direction, a rectangular opening is formed in the base 401. The base 404 is a substantially plate-shaped member with sufficient strength. Openings are formed in the base 404 at positions facing each of the two lenses L that are set in the blocking chamber C by the blocking chamber setting unit 430.

[0154] The electromagnetic wave passing portions 410R, 410L are cylindrical members and are provided between the electromagnetic wave generating portion 420 and each of two openings formed in the base portion 404. As shown in Fig. 9, the electromagnetic wave generating portion 420 includes therein generation sources (halogen heaters in this embodiment) 421R, 421L that generate electromagnetic waves. The generation source 421R is disposed on the axis of the cylindrical electromagnetic wave passing portion 410R. Similarly, the generation source 421L is disposed on the axis of the cylindrical electromagnetic wave passing portion 410L.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 10, the closed chamber set section 430 includes a base 431, a closed chamber bottom 440, a front-rear moving section 432, a vertical moving section 433, and guide poles 434R and 434L (only guide pole 434R is shown in FIG. 10). The base 431 is a generally plate-shaped member and serves as the base of the closed chamber set section 430. As shown in FIG. 8, the base 431 is disposed inside the rectangular opening of the platform section 401. As shown in FIG. 10, the closed chamber bottom 440 is a generally plate-shaped member having sufficient strength. A transport unit mounting section 441 is formed on the upper surface of the closed chamber bottom 440, on which a transport unit U (see FIG. 8, etc.) including a substrate S is mounted. The transport unit mounting section 441 of this embodiment has projections and depressions that match the shape of the staining tray 80 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 9).

[0156] As will be described in detail later, closed chamber bottom 440 closes the bottom surface of closed chamber C (see FIG. 9) by being pressed upward against base 404 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) of platform 401. As shown in FIG. 10, a tray pressing portion 442 and a seal portion 443 are provided on the upper surface of closed chamber bottom 440.

[0157] The tray pressing portions 442 protrude upward from each of a plurality of positions on the transport unit mounting portion 441 (in this embodiment, the four corners of the transport unit mounting portion 441) and are biased upward by biasing members (e.g., springs, etc.). When the closed chamber bottom 440 is pressed upward against the base 404, the dyeing tray 80 of the transport unit U is pressed into the closed chamber C by the plurality of tray pressing portions 442. As a result, the dye heated by the electromagnetic waves and sublimated from the substrate S is less likely to leak out of the mounting frame 89 and spacer 87 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the dyeing tray 80.

[0158] The seal portion 443 is disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the transport unit mounting portion 441 in an annular shape without any gaps. The seal portion 443 protrudes slightly above the upper surface of the transport unit mounting portion 441. The seal portion 443 is formed from a material that can withstand high temperatures and pressure changes and has appropriate elasticity. Therefore, when the closed chamber bottom 440 is pressed upward against the base 404, the seal portion 443 is pressed against the bottom surface of the base 404 and deforms, improving the airtightness of the closed chamber C (see FIG. 9).

[0159] Front-rear moving section 432 is an actuator (a cylinder in this embodiment) that moves action shaft 432A in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to base 431. Action shaft 432A of front-rear moving section 432 is fixed to closed chamber bottom section 440. When front-rear moving section 432 is driven, closed chamber bottom section 440 moves in the front-rear direction.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 9 , vertical movement unit 433 is an actuator (a cylinder in this embodiment) that moves action shaft 433A in the vertical direction, and is fixed to bottom 402 of platform 401. Action shaft 433A of vertical movement unit 433 is fixed to base 431. Guide poles 434R, 434L are rod-shaped members extending downward from the bottom surface of base 431. Guide poles 434R, 434L are inserted into tubular portions 405R, 405L provided on bottom 402 of platform 401 so as to be vertically movable. When vertical movement unit 433 is driven, base 431 moves in the vertical direction. The vertical movement of base 431 is guided by guide poles 434R, 434L and tubular portions 405R, 405L. As base 431 moves in the vertical direction, closed chamber bottom 440 supported by base 431 moves in the vertical direction.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 9, a mask portion 412R is provided at the center of the cylindrical electromagnetic wave passing portion 410R. Similarly, a mask portion 412L is provided at the center of the electromagnetic wave passing portion 410L. The mask portions 412R and 412L block the path of the electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the center of the circular dye adhered to the substrate S, among the paths of the electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the substrate S from the electromagnetic wave generation sources 421R and 421L of the electromagnetic wave generating portion 420. As an example, the mask portions 412R and 412L of this embodiment include a shaft portion extending downward along the axis of the cylindrical electromagnetic wave passing portion 410R and 410L, and a disk portion extending outward in a circular shape from the bottom of the shaft portion, centered on the axis. The electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the center of the circular dye are blocked by the disk portion.

[0162] If the mask portions 412R, 412L were not provided, the intensity of the electromagnetic waves irradiated to the center of the circularly attached dye would be greater than the intensity of the electromagnetic waves irradiated to the peripheral portion of the dye. Furthermore, heat from the center of the circular dye is less likely to dissipate than heat from the peripheral portion. Therefore, the mask portions 412R, 412L block the electromagnetic waves irradiated to the center of the circular dye, preventing the temperature of the center of the dye from rising excessively compared to the temperature of the peripheral portion. As a result, the dye is more easily transferred uniformly to the lens L.

[0163] Electromagnetic wave passing portion 410R is provided with temperature detecting portion 414R that detects the internal temperature. Similarly, electromagnetic wave passing portion 410L is provided with temperature detecting portion 414L that detects the internal temperature. If the temperature inside closed chamber C does not increase even when electromagnetic waves are irradiated by generation sources 421R, 421L, controller 71 executes at least one of a process of warning an operator that a malfunction has occurred and a process of prohibiting execution of the transfer process.

[0164] The air pressure control unit 450 (see FIG. 8) includes a pump and a solenoid valve. When the pump is driven, gas inside the closed chamber C is discharged to the outside through an air supply / exhaust pipe (not shown). As a result, the inside of the closed chamber C is placed in a substantially vacuum state. When the solenoid valve 33 is closed, the inside of the closed chamber C is kept airtight. When the solenoid valve 33 is opened, gas is introduced from the outside into the closed chamber C, which is in a reduced-pressure state, and the air pressure inside the closed chamber C increases. A pressure sensor that detects the air pressure inside the closed chamber C is provided inside the closed chamber C. If the air pressure inside the closed chamber C does not decrease even when the pump is driven, the controller 71 executes at least one of a process of warning an operator that the transfer device 40 is malfunctioning and a process of prohibiting the execution of the transfer process.

[0165] The operation of the transfer process by transfer device 40 will be described. First, with transport unit U raised by first delivery section 110 (see FIGS. 5 to 7), controller 71 drives front-to-back moving section 432 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) of closed chamber set section 430 to move closed chamber bottom 440 forward (toward the transport path) from within the opening of platform 401. As a result, closed chamber bottom 440 is positioned below transport unit U. Next, controller 71 lowers transport unit U by first delivery section 110, thereby placing transport unit U on transport unit placement section 441 of closed chamber bottom 440. Next, controller 71 drives front-to-back moving section 432 of closed chamber set section 430 to move closed chamber bottom 440, on which transport unit U is placed, below base 404 of platform 401. Next, the controller 71 drives the vertical movement part 433 of the closed chamber setting part 430 to move the closed chamber bottom part 440 on which the transport unit U is placed upward, and presses it upward against the base part 404.

[0166] Here, the transfer device 40 needs to form a closed chamber C. Because the inside of the closed chamber C is kept in a substantially vacuum state, the weight of the components that form the closed chamber C tends to be large. Therefore, it is inefficient to move the entire transfer device 40 to place the transport unit U inside the closed chamber C. In contrast, the transfer device 40 of this embodiment places the transport unit U inside the closed chamber C while forming the closed chamber C by raising only the closed chamber bottom 440 that closes the bottom of the closed chamber C out of the components that form the closed chamber C. Therefore, the transfer process is carried out efficiently.

[0167] As described above, the dyeing tray 80 of the transport unit U is pressed from below into the closed chamber C by the tray pressing portion 442. As a result, the sublimated dye is less likely to leak through the gap to the outside of the mounting frame 89 and the spacer 87 of the dyeing tray 80. When the closed chamber bottom 440 is pressed from below against the base 404, the seal portion 443 is pressed against the bottom surface of the base 404 and deformed. As a result, the sealing performance is improved.

[0168] Next, the controller 71 drives the air pressure control unit 450 to create a substantial vacuum inside the closed chamber C. The controller 71 heats the dye on the substrate S included in the transport unit U by causing the sources 421R, 421L of the electromagnetic wave generating unit 420 to generate electromagnetic waves. The heated dye sublimes and is transferred to the surface (the upper surface in this embodiment) of the lens L arranged opposite the substrate S. Here, the mask units 412R, 412L block the path of the electromagnetic waves irradiated onto the center of the dye attached in a circular shape to the substrate S. This makes it easier for the circular dye to be heated uniformly.

[0169] Next, the controller 71 stops driving the sources 421R, 421L and increases the air pressure inside the closed chamber C using the air pressure control unit 450. The controller 71 drives the up-and-down movement unit 433 of the closed chamber setting unit 430 to move the closed chamber bottom 440, on which the transport unit U is placed, downward. Next, the controller 71 drives the front-rear movement unit 432 of the closed chamber setting unit 430 to move the closed chamber bottom 440, on which the transport unit U is placed, toward the transport path. As a result, the bent portions at the upper ends of the left arm unit 112 and the right arm unit 113 of the first delivery unit 110 are positioned between the closed chamber bottom 440 and the staining tray 80. The controller 71 raises the left arm unit 112 and the right arm unit 113 to lift the transport unit U and move the closed chamber bottom 440 backward from the transport path. The controller 71 causes the first delivery section 110 to lower the transport unit U and deliver it onto the transport path. With the above processing, the transfer process is completed.

[0170] (Substrate holding device) The substrate holding device 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. After the transfer step is performed and before the fixing step is performed, the substrate holding device 90 removes the substrate S from the transport unit U. Furthermore, the substrate holding device 90 of this embodiment places the removed substrate S back onto the transport unit U after the fixing step is performed.

[0171] The substrate holding device 90 of this embodiment includes a front-rear moving unit 901, a vertical moving unit 902, and a substrate holding unit 903. The front-rear moving unit 901 is an actuator (a cylinder in this embodiment) that moves an action shaft 901A in the front-rear direction. The action shaft 901A of the front-rear moving unit 901 is fixed to the vertical moving unit 902. The vertical moving unit 902 is an actuator (a cylinder in this embodiment) that moves an action shaft (not shown) in the vertical direction. The action shaft of the vertical moving unit 902 is fixed to the substrate holding unit 903. When the front-rear moving unit 901 is driven, the vertical moving unit 902 and the substrate holding unit 903 move in the front-rear direction. When the vertical moving unit 902 is driven, the substrate holding unit 903 moves in the vertical direction.

[0172] The substrate holder 903 has suction ports 904 and a flow path connection portion 905. The suction ports 904 face downward. In this embodiment, the substrate holder 903 is provided with six suction ports 904 (only five suction ports 904 are shown in FIG. 11). However, it goes without saying that the number of suction ports 904 can be changed. The flow path connection portion 905 is connected via a tube to a pump (not shown) that generates suction pressure. The multiple suction ports 904 and the flow path connection portion 905 are connected by a gas flow path (not shown) formed inside the substrate holder 903. When the pump is driven, gas is sucked through the suction ports 904.

[0173] When the substrate S is removed from the transport unit U by the substrate holding device 90, the controller 71 drives the front-rear moving unit 901 to move the substrate holding part 903 above the transport unit U that has been transported to a substrate removal position in front of the substrate holding device 90. Next, the controller 71 drives the up-down moving unit 902 to move the substrate holding part 903 downward. When the substrate holding part 903 descends, the suction port 904 of the substrate holding part 903 comes into contact with the upper surface of the substrate S placed on the transport unit U. The controller 71 drives the pump to suck gas through the suction port 904. As a result, the substrate S is sucked and held by the suction port 904. With the substrate S held by the substrate holding part 903, the controller 71 drives the front-rear moving unit 901 to retract the substrate holding part 903 and the substrate S backward (i.e., to a retracted position retracted from the transport path).

[0174] As will be described in detail later, the dyeing system 1 may print an identifier for identifying the transport unit U on the substrate S along with the dye. In this case, the reading unit 2E (see FIG. 1) of the dye fixing device 50 is disposed below the substrate holding unit 903 when it is moved to the retracted position. As described above, the dye is printed on the lower surface of the sheet-like substrate S, facing the lens L. Therefore, if the printing device 30 prints the identifier on the lower surface of the substrate S as well as the dye, the number of steps is reduced compared to printing the identifier on the upper surface of the substrate S. On the other hand, if the identifier is printed on the lower surface of the substrate S, it is difficult to read the identifier when the substrate S is placed on the transport unit U. In contrast, in the present disclosure, the reading unit 2E is disposed below the substrate holding unit 903 when it is in the retracted position. Therefore, the dyeing system 1 can properly read the identifier printed on the lower surface of the substrate S. However, the identifier may also be printed on the upper surface of the substrate S. In this case, the reading unit 2E may be disposed above the substrate holding unit 903 when it has been moved to the retracted position.

[0175] Further, the above-mentioned color information measuring instrument 51 (see FIG. 1) is provided near the substrate holding device 90. The controller 71 causes the color information measuring instrument 51 to measure the color information of the lens L in a state in which the substrate holding device 90 has retracted the substrate S from above the staining tray 80. As described above, in the staining tray 80 of this embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the mounting portion 82 is formed with a light-transmitting portion 82S, and the mounting frame 89 is also formed with a light-transmitting portion 89S. Therefore, in a state in which the lens L is placed (placed) on the staining tray 80 and the substrate S is removed from the staining tray 80, the color information of the lens L is appropriately measured by the color information measuring instrument 51.

[0176] When the fixing process by the dye fixing device 50 is completed, the controller 71 drives the forward / backward moving unit 901 to move the substrate holding unit 903 above the transport unit U that has been transported to the substrate removal position. Next, the controller 71 drives the vertical moving unit 902 to move the substrate holding unit 903 downward. The controller 71 stops driving the pump, thereby releasing the substrate holding unit 903 from its hold on the substrate S. As a result, the substrate S that had been temporarily removed from the transport unit U is returned to the transport unit U. By returning the substrate S to the transport unit U after the fixing process is completed, the operator can easily compare the dyed lens L with the substrate S used for dyeing. This allows the operator to appropriately check the dyeing quality and, if the dyeing quality is poor, to identify the cause.

[0177] The substrate S may be placed back on the transport unit U after both the fixing step by the dye fixing device 50 and the coating step by the coating device 60 (see FIG. 1) have been completed. In this case, the fixing step and the coating step can be easily performed with the substrate S removed from the transport unit U.

[0178] (dye fixing device) The dye fixing device 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The dye fixing device 50 performs a fixing process in which the dye adhering to the surface of the lens L is fixed to the lens L by heating the lens L. In detail, the dye fixing device 50 of this embodiment heats the lens L by irradiating the lens L with laser light, which is an electromagnetic wave. The dye fixing device 50 includes a laser light irradiation unit 510, a laser light blocking unit 520, a thermal camera 530, an inlet 540, an outlet 550, a pressure difference generation unit 560, and a radiant heat reflection unit 570.

[0179] The laser light irradiation unit 510 includes a laser light source 511 and an objective lens 512. The laser light source 511 emits laser light of a wavelength that is absorbed by the material of the lens L. The laser light emitted from the laser light source 511 is irradiated onto the lens L installed at the fixing position 501 via the objective lens 512. Note that the laser light source 511 of this embodiment irradiates the laser light downward. Therefore, the downstream side of the optical path of the laser light is the downward side as seen from the laser light source 511. However, the direction in which the laser light is irradiated may be a direction other than downward (for example, horizontally, upward, or diagonally). The upstream and downstream directions of the optical path of the laser light are uniquely determined depending on the direction in which the laser light is irradiated.

[0180] The laser light irradiation unit 510 also includes a scanning unit 513. The scanning unit 513 scans the laser light emitted from the laser light source 511 relative to the lens L. The scanning unit 513 of this embodiment includes a scanner that deflects the traveling direction of the laser light. After the traveling direction of the laser light emitted from the laser light source 511 is deflected by the scanner, the laser light is irradiated toward the lens L via the objective lens 512. More specifically, the scanning unit 513 of this embodiment includes an X scanner that scans the laser light in an X direction intersecting the optical axis of the laser light, and a Y scanner that scans the laser light in a Y direction intersecting both the optical axis and the X direction. The scanning unit 513 can scan the laser light in two-dimensional directions using the X scanner and the Y scanner. As an example, a galvanometer mirror is used for the scanners (X scanner and Y scanner) of this embodiment. However, scanners other than a galvanometer mirror (for example, a polygon mirror or an acousto-optical element) may also be used. The scanning unit may also be a moving unit that moves the position of the lens L relative to the laser light. The scanning unit may be a combination of a scanner and a moving unit.

[0181] The laser beam blocking unit 520 is a cylindrical member formed of a material that blocks laser beams (for example, at least one of a resin such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyvinyl chloride, and a metal). The laser beam blocking unit 520 covers at least a portion of the periphery of the optical path extending from the objective lens 512 of the laser beam irradiation unit 510 to the lens L installed at the fixing position 501 (i.e., the periphery of the optical axis O of the objective lens 512), thereby blocking leakage of the laser beam outside the optical path. Therefore, the laser beam blocking unit 520 improves safety. In particular, the laser beam blocking unit 520 of this embodiment covers the entire periphery of the optical path extending from the objective lens 512 to the lens L. Therefore, safety is further improved. The shape of the laser beam blocking unit 520 of this embodiment is substantially cylindrical. However, the shape of the laser beam blocking unit 520 is not limited to being substantially cylindrical.

[0182] At least a part of the laser light blocking unit 520, which is different from the resin body peripheral portion 525 that covers the periphery of the lens L placed at the fixing position 501, is made of a light-transmitting member (as an example, a transparent acrylic resin in this embodiment) that blocks laser light and transmits visible light. Therefore, the worker can see the state of the lens L covered by the laser light blocking unit 520 through the light-transmitting member. Note that in this embodiment, the entire main body of the laser light blocking unit 520 other than the resin body peripheral portion 525 is made of a light-transmitting member. Therefore, the worker can see the lens L from various portions other than the resin body peripheral portion.

[0183] The laser light blocking unit 520 is provided with a lens detection sensor 521 that detects whether or not the lens L is placed at the fixing position 501. When the lens detection sensor 521 detects that the lens L is not placed at the fixing position 501, the controller 71 executes at least one of a warning process that warns the operator that the lens L is not placed, and a prohibition process that prohibits the execution of the fixing process (i.e., the irradiation of the laser light).

[0184] The thermal camera 530 is provided inside the cylindrical laser light blocking unit 520. The thermal camera 530 detects the heat distribution of the lens L placed at the fixing position 501. Specifically, the thermal camera 530 allows electromagnetic waves generated from the lens L placed at the fixing position 501 to enter the interior through the electromagnetic wave incident unit 531 and detects the waves using a detection element. The thermal camera 530 can detect the heat distribution of the lens L based on the detected electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic wave incident unit 531 includes an imaging lens (e.g., a germanium lens) that focuses the electromagnetic waves generated from the lens L on the detection element. Furthermore, the electromagnetic wave incident unit 531 includes a filter that blocks the wavelength of the laser light irradiated by the laser light irradiator 510. This makes it less likely that the laser light will affect the detection results of the thermal camera 530.

[0185] The controller 71 controls the driving of the scanning unit 513 based on the heat distribution of the lens L detected by the thermal camera 530. Therefore, the heat treatment of the lens L is more appropriately performed based on the actual heat distribution of the lens L.

[0186] The inlet 540 and the outlet 550 are both formed in the cylindrical laser beam blocking unit 520. The inlet 540 is provided in the laser beam blocking unit 520 on an upstream side of the outlet 550 in the optical path of the laser beam. The inlet 540 allows gas to flow from the outside of the laser beam blocking unit 520 to the inside. The outlet 550 is provided in the laser beam blocking unit 520 on a downstream side of the inlet 540 in the optical path of the laser beam (i.e., on a side closer to the lens L than the inlet 540). The outlet 550 is also provided in the laser beam blocking unit 520 on a downstream side of the electromagnetic wave incident unit 531 of the thermal camera 530 in the optical path of the laser beam. The outlet 550 is also provided in the laser beam blocking unit 520 on an upstream side of the optical path of the laser beam than the position of the lens L arranged at the fixing position 501. The outlet 550 exhausts gas from the inside of the laser beam blocking unit 520 to the outside. An exhaust pipe 551 that guides the exhausted gas to a predetermined position is connected to the exhaust port 550. Therefore, the gas is more appropriately exhausted from the laser light blocking unit 520.

[0187] The pressure difference generating unit 560 generates a pressure difference for causing gas to flow from the inlet 540 to the outlet 550. As an example, the pressure difference generating unit 560 of this embodiment is an inlet fan that blows gas from the inlet 540 into the inside of the laser beam blocking unit 520. That is, the pressure difference generating unit 560 of this embodiment is provided in the inlet 540. However, separately from the inlet fan or together with the inlet fan, an outlet fan that blows gas from the outlet 550 to the outside of the laser beam blocking unit 520 may be provided in at least one of the outlet 550 and the exhaust pipe 551. That is, it is sufficient that the pressure difference generating unit 560 is provided in at least one of the path of gas flowing from the inlet 540 into the inside of the laser beam blocking unit 520 and the path of gas exhausted from the outlet 550 to the outside of the laser beam blocking unit 520.

[0188] The pressure difference generating unit 560 is provided with a drive detection unit 561. The drive detection unit 561 detects whether the pressure difference generating unit is operating normally. When the drive detection unit 561 detects that the pressure difference generating unit 560 is not operating normally, the controller 71 executes at least one of a process of issuing a warning to an operator and a process of prohibiting the laser light irradiation unit 510 from heating the lens L. This reduces the possibility that the fixing process will be performed in a state where the pressure difference generating unit 560 is broken.

[0189] At least the inner circumferential surface of the resin peripheral portion 525 of the laser light blocking portion 520 is provided with a radiant heat reflecting portion 570 that reflects radiant heat generated from the lens L, which is a resin body. Therefore, at least a portion of the radiant heat emitted from the lens L heated by the laser light is reflected by the radiant heat reflecting portion 570 toward the lens L. As a result, the heat of the lens L (particularly the outer periphery of the lens L) is less likely to diffuse to the surroundings, making it easier for the temperature of the lens L to be appropriately increased by the laser light. In other words, the radiant heat reflecting portion 570 makes it easier for the temperature of the entire lens L to be increased, and also makes it less likely for a temperature difference to occur between the outer periphery and the inside of the lens L. Therefore, it becomes easier for the dye to be appropriately fixed to the lens L.

[0190] The radiant heat reflecting portion 570 is provided on the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical resin body peripheral portion 525. Therefore, compared to a case where a radiant heat reflecting portion is provided on only a portion of the circumferential surface of the resin body peripheral portion 525, the radiant heat emitted from the lens L is more efficiently reflected onto the lens L by the radiant heat reflecting portion 570.

[0191] As described above, at least a portion of the laser light blocking portion 520 other than the resin body peripheral portion 525 where the radiant heat reflecting portion 570 is provided is formed of a light-transmitting material. Therefore, according to the dye fixing device 50 of the present embodiment, the lens L is appropriately heated, and the state of the lens L can be easily checked.

[0192] Radiant heat reflecting portion 570 protrudes downward from the lower end of the inner circumferential surface of resin body peripheral portion 525. Therefore, the periphery of lens L placed at fixing position 501 is more appropriately covered by radiant heat reflecting portion 570. Therefore, lens L is more appropriately heated.

[0193] Radiant heat reflecting portion 570 is formed of a metal containing aluminum or stainless steel (in this embodiment, aluminum alone or stainless steel alone). Aluminum and stainless steel easily reflect radiant heat (electromagnetic waves). Therefore, the temperature of lens L rises more appropriately.

[0194] The operation of the fixing process by the dye fixing device 50 will be described. The controller 71 moves the lens L to the fixing position 501 using the second delivery section 120 (see FIG. 6) of the conveying device 10, and also drives the pressure difference generating section 560. With the pressure difference generating section 560 driven, the controller 71 causes the laser light source 511 to emit laser light and controls the driving of the scanning section 513. In detail, the controller 71 acquires parameters for the treatment to be performed on the lens L based on information about the conveying unit U read by the reading section 2E (see FIG. 1). The controller 71 controls the driving of the scanning section 513 based on the acquired parameters and the heat distribution of the lens L detected by the thermal camera 530. The parameters may include, for example, a parameter for the target temperature of the lens L. Furthermore, in the fixing process, the degree of temperature difference occurring at each portion of the lens L varies depending on the shape of the lens L. Therefore, the parameters may include a parameter related to the shape of the lens L (for example, a parameter related to the power of the lens L). Furthermore, the dye may be more appropriately fixed to the lens L by changing the temperature transition of the lens L in accordance with the material of the lens L. Therefore, the parameters may include a parameter related to the material of the lens L. Furthermore, the dye may be more appropriately fixed to the lens L by changing the temperature transition of the lens L in accordance with the density of the color to be dyed on the lens L. Therefore, the parameters may include a parameter related to the density of the color to be dyed on the lens L. Furthermore, the controller 71 may control the driving of the scanning unit 513 based on the heat distribution of the lens L detected by the thermal camera 530 so as to reduce the temperature difference between each portion of the lens L.

[0195] Here, in the dye fixing device 50 of this embodiment, gas flows inside the laser light blocking section 520 from the inlet 540 toward the outlet 550. That is, the gas flows from the upstream side (upward in this embodiment) of the optical path of the laser light toward the downstream side (downward in this embodiment). Therefore, even if the dye on the surface of the lens L is heated and gasified, the dye is less likely to adhere to the objective lens 512 of the laser light irradiation section 510. Therefore, the effects caused by the dye adhering to the objective lens 512 are suppressed.

[0196] Furthermore, the outlet 550 is provided in the laser beam blocking unit 520 on the upstream side of the optical path of the laser beam relative to the position of the lens L arranged at the fixing position 501. Therefore, the gas that flows into the inside of the laser beam blocking unit 520 from the inlet 540 is unlikely to reach the heated lens L. This prevents the lens L to be heated from being cooled by the gas that flows into the inside of the laser beam blocking unit 520. This prevents a decrease in heating efficiency.

[0197] Furthermore, the outlet 550 is provided in the laser light blocking section 520 downstream of the optical path of the laser light from the electromagnetic wave incident section 531 of the thermal camera 530. Therefore, even if the dye on the surface of the lens L is heated and gasified, the dye is unlikely to adhere to the electromagnetic wave incident section 531 of the thermal camera 530. This also appropriately prevents the performance of the thermal camera 530 from deteriorating.

[0198] It is also possible to change the positions of inlet 540 and outlet 550. For example, in laser light blocking unit 520, the inlet and outlet may be formed between objective lens 512 of laser light irradiation unit 510 and the position of lens L arranged at fixing position 501, so that the inlet and outlet face each other across the optical path of the laser light. In this case, even if the gasified dye moves from lens L toward objective lens 512, the gasified dye is likely to flow to the outlet before reaching objective lens 512.

[0199] When the heating treatment of the lens L using the laser light is completed, the controller 71 causes the second delivery section 120 (see FIG. 6) of the conveyance device 10 to return the lens L to the conveyance path. The controller 71 determines, based on parameters, whether or not any lens L requiring heat treatment is placed on the dyeing tray 80 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) in addition to the lens L for which heat treatment has already been completed. If no lens L requiring further heat treatment is placed on the dyeing tray 80, the controller 71 ends the fixing process for the lens L by the conveyance unit U and conveys the conveyance unit U downstream (to the substrate holding device 90 in this embodiment). If any lens L requiring further heat treatment is placed on the dyeing tray 80, the controller 71 drives the resin body switching section 123 of the second delivery section 120 to switch the lens L to be placed at the fixing position 501. Thereafter, the controller 71 heats the lens L placed at the fixing position 501 and conveys the conveyance unit U downstream.

[0200] In the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment, optical sensors (not shown) are provided on the conveying path of the conveying device 10, upstream of the transfer device 40 and upstream of the dye fixing device 50. The optical sensors detect whether at least one of the lens L, the mounting frame 89, and the spacer 87 (the spacer 87 in this embodiment) is installed on the dyeing tray 80 by emitting light in a direction that passes through both of a pair of light-transmitting portions 82S formed in the mounting portion 82 of the dyeing tray 80. Therefore, the controller 71 can appropriately determine whether the spacer 87 is installed in each of the pair of mounting portions 82 of the dyeing tray 80 (i.e., whether the lens L is installed).

[0201] (First dyeing control treatment) A first dyeing control process executed by the controller 71 of the dyeing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The first dyeing control process is executed when an identifier is provided on the dyeing tray 80 (tray main body 81 in this embodiment). That is, in the first dyeing control process, information on the identifier provided on the transport unit U is read, and parameters corresponding to the read information are acquired. The operation of the dyeing process by the dye fixing device 50 and the like is controlled according to the acquired parameters. When performing the dyeing process on the lenses L placed on each of the multiple transport units U, the controller 71 executes the first dyeing control process exemplified in Fig. 13 in accordance with a dyeing control program stored in the storage device.

[0202] First, the controller 71 determines whether or not it has acquired treatment information indicating the treatment content to be performed on the lens L (S1). The treatment information may be input to the controller 71 by, for example, an operator operating an operation unit (not shown), or may be created by another device. In the first staining control process, the treatment information acquired in S1 includes at least one of the following: information indicating whether gradation staining is to be performed and the direction, information on the number of lenses L (one or two) to be included in one transport unit U, information on the color to be stained on the lens L (i.e., the color of the dye to be printed on the substrate S), information on the density of the staining color, information on the material of the lens L, and information on the coating to be performed on the lens L. The treatment information acquired in S1 may also include information on the shape of the lens L. The shape of the lens L (such as the curve value and thickness) affects the optical characteristics of the lens L (such as the spherical power). Therefore, the information on the shape of the lens L may include information on the curve value, thickness, and optical characteristics of the lens L. If information on the shape of the lens L is acquired in S1, the process of S6, which will be described later, may be omitted. Furthermore, the optical characteristics of the lens L change depending on the material of the lens L. Therefore, information about the material of the lens L may be acquired based on the optical characteristics of the lens L measured by the optical characteristic measuring device 21. Furthermore, information about the shape of the lens L may include at least one of the diameter and outer shape of the lens L. If treatment information has not been acquired (S1: NO), the process proceeds directly to S4.

[0203] If treatment information for the lens L is acquired (S1: YES), the reading unit 2A reads the identifier 88 of the transport unit U on which the lens L for which the treatment information is to be acquired is placed (S2). The controller 71 stores parameters indicating the treatment content in the database 72 in association with the identifier read in S2 based on the treatment information acquired in S1 (S3). The parameters stored in S3 include at least one of a gradation parameter indicating whether or not gradation dyeing is to be performed and the direction, a lens number parameter indicating the number of lenses L to be included in one transport unit U, a color parameter indicating the color to be dyed on the lens L (i.e., the color of the dye to be printed on the substrate S), a density parameter indicating the color to be dyed on the lens L (i.e., the density of the color to be printed on the substrate S), a material parameter indicating the material of the lens L, and a coating parameter indicating the content of the coating to be performed on the lens L. Furthermore, if information regarding the shape of the lens L is acquired in S1, a shape parameter indicating the shape of the lens L may be stored in S3.

[0204] Next, it is determined whether the transport unit U has been transported to the preparation unit 20 (S4). If the transport unit U has not been transported to the preparation unit 20 (S4: NO), the process proceeds directly to S8. When the transport unit U reaches the preparation unit 20 (S4: YES), the identifier 88 of the transport unit U that has reached the preparation unit 20 is read by the reading unit 2B in S5. Furthermore, parameters corresponding to the read identifier 88 (at least the gradation parameters in S5) are acquired from the database 72 (S5). Next, the controller 71 acquires shape parameters of the lens L based on the optical characteristics of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21, and stores the shape parameters in the database 72 in association with the identifier read in S5 (S6). The controller 71 controls the rotational drive of the lens L by the rotation device 22 based on the gradation parameters corresponding to the identifier read in S5 and the direction of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21 (S7). That is, when gradation dyeing is performed and the lens L is not symmetrical about the geometric central axis, the controller 71 rotates the lens L to align the angle of the lens L with the angle of the dye printed on the substrate S. Note that if the shape of the lens L is symmetrical about the geometric central axis, the processing of S7 may be omitted.

[0205] Instead of rotating the lens L, which is a resin body, using the rotation device 22, the dyeing system 1 may determine the angle of the rotation direction of the dye area to be printed by the printing device 30 (described later) according to the orientation of the read lens L. Even in this case, gradation dyeing or the like is appropriately applied to the resin body. Furthermore, the controller 71 may acquire parameters of the optical characteristics of the lens L in S5. When the optical characteristics of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21 differ from the optical characteristics acquired in S5, the controller 71 may execute at least one of a warning process that issues a warning to the operator and an interruption process that interrupts the dyeing process for the lens L. In this case, the possibility of accidentally dyeing a lens L different from the lens L to be dyed is reduced.

[0206] Next, it is determined whether the transport unit U has been transported to the printing device 30 (S8). If the transport unit U has not been transported to the printing device 30 (S8: NO), the process proceeds directly to S11. When the transport unit U arrives at the printing device 30 (S8: YES), the identifier 88 of the transport unit U that has arrived at the printing device 30 is read by the reading unit 2C in S9. Furthermore, parameters corresponding to the read identifier 88 (at least one of a gradation parameter, a lens number parameter, a color parameter, a density parameter, a material parameter, and a shape parameter (which may include parameters of optical characteristics) in S9) are acquired from the database 72. The controller 71 controls the driving of the printing device 30 in accordance with the parameters acquired in S9, thereby causing the printing device 30 to execute a printing operation of the dye on the substrate S (S10). For example, the controller 71 may cause the printing device 30 to print the dye of the color indicated by the color parameter at a density indicated by the density parameter, depending on the presence or absence of a gradation indicated by the gradation parameter, etc. The controller 71 may also cause the printing device 30 to print circular dye areas in the same number as the number of lenses indicated by the lens number parameter. The controller 71 may also cause the printing device 30 to print the dye in an ejection amount according to the material of the base material of the lens L.

[0207] Next, it is determined whether the transport unit U has been transported to the transfer device 40 (S11). If the transport unit U has not been transported to the transfer device 40 (S11: NO), the process proceeds directly to S13. When the transport unit U reaches the transfer device 40 (S11: YES), the controller 71 causes the transfer device 40 to execute the transfer process according to the number of lenses L placed on the transport unit U (or the position of the lens L if there is only one lens L) (S12). Specifically, in S12, the identifier 88 of the transport unit U that has reached the transfer device 40 is read by the reading unit 2D of the transfer device 40. Furthermore, parameters corresponding to the read identifier 88 (at least the lens number parameter in S12) are acquired from the database 72. The controller 71 controls the operation of the transfer device 40 according to the acquired parameters.

[0208] Next, it is determined whether the transport unit U has been transported to the dye fixing device 50 (S13). If the transport unit U has not been transported to the dye fixing device 50 (S13: NO), the process proceeds directly to S16. When the transport unit U reaches the dye fixing device 50 (S13: YES), the identifier 88 of the transport unit U that has arrived at the dye fixing device 50 is read by the reading unit 2E in S14. Furthermore, parameters corresponding to the read identifier 88 (in S14, at least a gradation parameter, a lens number parameter, a color parameter, a density parameter, a material parameter, and a shape parameter (which may include at least one of an optical characteristic parameter, a lens diameter parameter, etc.)) are acquired from the database 72. The controller 71 controls the driving of the dye fixing device 50 in accordance with the acquired parameters (S15).

[0209] Specifically, the controller 71 limits the temperature of light-colored portions of the lens L (portions with high luminous transmittance) to a temperature lower than the temperature of dark-colored portions in accordance with the gradation parameters. As a result, excessive temperature rise in the light-colored portions and discoloration of the substrate are suppressed. The controller 71 also causes the dye fixing device 50 to execute the fixing process on the number of lenses L corresponding to the lens number parameter. The controller 71 also sets a target temperature of the lens L in accordance with the color parameters, thereby raising the temperature of the lens L to an appropriate temperature corresponding to the color to be dyed. The controller 71 also controls the temperature transition of the lens L in accordance with the material parameters, thereby fixing the dye to the lens L in an appropriate manner corresponding to the material of the lens L. Specifically, the controller 71 controls at least one of the time required for the temperature of the lens L to reach the target temperature, the rate of temperature rise, the length of time the temperature of the lens L is maintained at the target temperature, etc., in accordance with the material of the lens L. The controller 71 also controls the driving of the scanning unit 513 in accordance with the shape parameters, thereby suppressing excessive temperature differences between portions of the lens L due to the shape of the lens L. In detail, the controller 71 of this embodiment adjusts the energy applied to the lens L for each location by changing the scanning speed of the laser light on the lens L depending on the location while keeping the laser light output constant. At locations where the scanning speed of the laser light is slow, more energy is applied to the location per unit time than at locations where the scanning speed is fast. When the energy of the laser light is applied evenly to each location, the temperature is more likely to rise in thinner locations of the lens L than in thicker locations. Furthermore, because heat is more easily released from the periphery of the lens L than from the center, the temperature of the periphery is less likely to rise than the center. Therefore, the controller 71 controls the laser light to scan at an appropriate scanning speed according to the thickness and position of the lens L in accordance with the shape parameters of the lens L, thereby preventing excessive temperature differences from occurring between locations.

[0210] Next, it is determined whether the transport unit U has been transported to the coating apparatus 60 (S16). If the transport unit U has not been transported to the coating apparatus 60 (S16: NO), the process returns to S1. When the transport unit U reaches the coating apparatus 60 (S16: YES), the identifier 88 of the transport unit U that has reached the coating apparatus 60 is read by the reading unit 2F in S17. Furthermore, parameters corresponding to the read identifier 88 (at least the coating parameters in S17) are acquired from the database 72. The controller 71 controls the driving of the coating apparatus 60 in accordance with the acquired parameters (S18). Then, the process returns to S1.

[0211] (Second dyeing control treatment) Referring to FIG. 14, a second dyeing control process executed by the controller 71 of the dyeing system 1 will be described. In the second dyeing control process, the controller 71 controls the printing device 30 to print an identifier on the substrate S along with the dye. That is, when the second dyeing control process is executed, unlike when the first dyeing control process is executed, the identifier is provided on the substrate S rather than on the dyeing tray 80. Note that some processes in the second dyeing control process can be similar to those in the first dyeing control process (see FIG. 13). Therefore, steps in the second dyeing control process that can employ processes similar to those in the first dyeing control process are given the same step numbers as those in the first dyeing control process, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified. Furthermore, when the second dyeing control process is executed, at least the reading units 2A, 2B, and 2C of the multiple reading units 2 (see FIG. 1) provided in the dyeing system 1 may be omitted.

[0212] First, the controller 71 determines whether or not treatment information indicating the treatment content to be performed on the lens L has been acquired (S1). If treatment information has not been acquired (S1: NO), the process proceeds directly to S11. If treatment information for the lens L has been acquired (S1: YES), the controller 71 determines an identifier to be associated with the lens L for which treatment information was acquired (S21). Next, the controller 71 transports the transport unit U containing the lens L for which treatment information was acquired to the preparation unit 20 (S22). The controller 71 acquires shape parameters of the lens L based on the optical characteristics of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21, and stores the shape parameters in the database 72 in association with the identifier determined in S21 (S6). Note that if information regarding the shape of the lens L has been acquired in S1, the process of S6 may be omitted. The controller 71 controls the rotational drive of the lens L by the rotation device 22 based on the gradation parameters corresponding to the gradation treatment information acquired in S1 and the direction of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21 (S7).

[0213] Next, the controller 71 transports the transport unit U containing the lens L for which the treatment information was acquired to the printing device 30 (S23). The controller 71 controls the driving of the printing device 30 in accordance with parameters based on the treatment information acquired in S1 (at least one of gradation parameters, lens number parameters, color parameters, density parameters, material parameters, and shape parameters (which may include optical characteristic parameters)), thereby causing the printing device 30 to execute a printing operation of dye on the substrate S (S10). The controller 71 also controls the driving of the printing device 30 to print the identifier determined in S21 together with the dye on the substrate S (S24). Furthermore, the controller 25 controls the driving of the printing device 30 to print at least one of characters and symbols, etc., indicating the treatment content to be performed on the lens L on the substrate S (S25). Therefore, the operator can easily confirm the treatment content to be performed (or has been performed) on the lens L by looking at at least one of characters and symbols, etc. printed on the substrate S.

[0214] Next, when the transport unit U reaches the transfer device 40 (S11: YES), the controller 71 causes the transfer device 40 to execute the transfer process (S12) in accordance with the number of lenses L placed on the transport unit U (or the position of the lens L if there is only one lens L). Specifically, in S12, the reading unit 2D of the transfer device 40 reads an identifier printed on the substrate S included in the transport unit U. Parameters corresponding to the read identifier (at least the lens number parameter in S12) are acquired from the database 72. The controller 71 controls the operation of the transfer device 40 in accordance with the acquired parameters.

[0215] When the transport unit U reaches the dye fixing device 50 (S13: YES), the identifier printed on the substrate S is read by the reading unit 2E, and parameters corresponding to the read identifier are acquired (S14). The controller 71 controls the driving of the dye fixing device 50 in accordance with the acquired parameters (S15).

[0216] When the transport unit U reaches the coating device 60 (S16: YES), the identifier printed on the substrate S is read by the reading unit 2F, and parameters corresponding to the read identifier are acquired (S17). The controller 71 controls the driving of the coating device 60 in accordance with the acquired parameters (S18). Thereafter, the process returns to S1.

[0217] (Third dyeing control treatment) Referring to FIG. 15, a third dyeing control process executed by the controller 71 of the dyeing system 1 will be described. In the third dyeing control process, the controller 71 controls the operation of each device according to parameters read by the tag reader 2. That is, when the second dyeing control process is executed, unlike when the first and second dyeing control processes are executed, the parameters themselves are stored in the tag of the transport unit U. Note that some of the processes in the third dyeing control process can be similar to the first dyeing control process (see FIG. 13). Therefore, steps in the third dyeing control process that can be similar to the first dyeing control process are given the same step numbers as those given in the first dyeing control process, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified. Furthermore, when the third dyeing control process is executed, at least one of the multiple readers 2 (see FIG. 1) provided in the dyeing system 1 (readers 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F in this embodiment) includes a tag reader that reads information from a tag. Furthermore, when the third staining control process is executed, the reading unit 2A shown in Fig. 1 is changed to a tag writing unit 2A that writes information to a tag. Furthermore, in the embodiment described below, the reading unit 2B shown in Fig. 1 is changed to a tag reading / writing unit 2B that can both read information from and write information to a tag. The tag is provided on a member included in the transport unit U (for example, the tray body 81 of the staining tray 80, etc.).

[0218] First, the controller 71 determines whether or not treatment information indicating the treatment content to be performed on the lens L has been acquired (S1). If treatment information has not been acquired (S1: NO), the process proceeds directly to S4. If treatment information for the lens L has been acquired (S1: YES), the controller 71 writes the parameters included in the treatment information acquired in S1 to the tag of the transport unit U from which the treatment information has been acquired, using the information writing unit 2A (S31).

[0219] Next, when the transport unit U reaches the preparatory unit 20 (S4: YES), the tag reader / writer 2B reads information from the tag of the transport unit U (S32). The controller 71 acquires shape parameters of the lens L based on the optical characteristics of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21, and writes the shape parameters to the tag by the tag reader / writer 2B (S33). Note that if information about the shape of the lens L has been acquired in S1, the processing of S33 may be omitted. The controller 71 controls the rotational drive of the lens L by the rotation device 22 based on the gradation parameters included in the information read in S32 and the direction of the lens L read by the optical characteristic measuring device 21 (S7).

[0220] When the transport unit U reaches the printing device 30 (S8: YES), the reading unit 2C reads information from the tag of the transport unit U (S34). The controller 71 controls the driving of the printing device 30 in accordance with the parameters included in the information read in S34, thereby causing the printing device 30 to perform a dye printing operation on the substrate S (S10).

[0221] When the transport unit U reaches the transfer device 40 (S11: YES), the controller 71 causes the transfer device 40 to execute the transfer process (S12) in accordance with the number of lenses L placed on the transport unit U (or the position of the lens L if there is only one lens L). Specifically, in S12, the information written on the tag of the transport unit U is read by the reading section 2D of the transfer device 40. The operation of the transfer device 40 is controlled in accordance with the parameters included in the read information (in S12, at least the lens number parameter).

[0222] When the transport unit U reaches the dye fixing device 50 (S13: YES), the reading unit 2E reads information from the tag of the transport unit U (S35). The controller 71 controls the driving of the dye fixing device 50 according to the parameters included in the information read in S35.

[0223] When the transport unit U reaches the coating device 60 (S16: YES), the reading unit 2F reads information from the tag of the transport unit U (S36). The controller 71 controls the driving of the coating device 60 according to the parameters included in the information read in S36 (S18).

[0224] (Discharge volume maintenance process) With reference to FIG. 16, a description will be given of a discharge amount maintenance process executed by the controller 71 of the dyeing system 1. In the discharge amount maintenance process, the amount of dye discharged (printed) onto the substrate S by the printing device 30 is corrected so that the lens L is appropriately dyed with the intended color (including the color density). An operator can input an instruction to execute the discharge amount maintenance process into the dyeing system 1. The operator can input an instruction to execute the discharge amount maintenance process, for example, when the dyeing system 1 is shipped from the manufacturer to a customer, when the dyeing system 1 is initially operated, when maintenance of the dyeing system 1 is performed, when the dyeing quality of the lens L deteriorates, etc. When an instruction to execute the discharge amount maintenance process is input, the controller 71 executes the discharge amount maintenance process illustrated in FIG. 16 in accordance with a discharge amount maintenance control program stored in the storage device.

[0225] First, the controller 71 acquires information about the type of substrate of the lens L to be dyed (S40). Even if the amount of dye ejected by the printing device 30 is the same, the color to be dyed (for example, the color density) differs depending on the type of substrate of the lens L. Therefore, the controller 71 executes the processes of S42 to S52, which will be described later, for each type of substrate acquired in S40. As a result, the amount of dye ejected necessary to appropriately dye each substrate is determined depending on the substrate.

[0226] Next, the controller 71 identifies one of the multiple dyes (as an example, in this embodiment, red, yellow, and blue) that the printing device 30 can eject (print) as the dye for which the ejection amount is to be corrected (S41).

[0227] Next, the controller 71 determines the color of the predetermined density dyed with the dye identified in S41 as the predetermined color to dye the lens L (S42). Color information such as the predetermined color may be expressed by hue, lightness (or density), and saturation. In this embodiment, spectral transmittance data is used as color information to identify the color of the lens L including the predetermined color. For example, the color information may include:* a * b * A color space may be used. Furthermore, the luminous transmittance Y value may be used for the color information. * is the brightness, a * and b * indicates chromaticity (hue and saturation). The luminous transmittance Y value indicates the rate at which the lens L transmits visible light. However, it goes without saying that other color systems may be used as color information for the lens L.

[0228] Next, the controller 71 determines, according to a determination procedure, the amount of a specific dye to be ejected (printed) by the printing device 30 in order to dye the lens L in the predetermined color determined in S42 (S43). As an example, in this embodiment, information on the amount of each dye (base color information) to be ejected for dyeing the resin body with each of a plurality of dyes (red, yellow, and blue in this embodiment) at a predetermined concentration is stored in advance in a storage device (e.g., database 72, etc.). The controller 71 determines the amount of each dye to be ejected (the amount of the specific dye in S43) based on the base color information. That is, in this embodiment, the determination procedure (algorithm) for determining the amount of dye is a procedure for calculating the amount of each dye to be ejected based on the base color information and the predetermined color. As described above, in this embodiment, the determination procedure for determining the amount of dye is determined for each type of base material of the lens L to be dyed.

[0229] However, it is also possible to change the procedure for determining the ejection amount of each dye. For example, a table that associates color information of a planned color with the ejection amount of each dye required to dye the lens L with the planned color may be stored in advance in a storage device (such as the database 72). The controller 71 may determine the ejection amount of each dye by obtaining the ejection amount of each dye corresponding to the planned color from the table. In other words, a table that associates planned colors with ejection amounts may be used as a determination procedure (algorithm) for determining the ejection amounts.

[0230] Next, the controller 71 outputs an instruction to the printing device 30 to eject (print) the identified dye onto the substrate S in the amount determined in S43 (S44). When printing is complete, the controller 71 transports the transport unit U to the transfer device 40 and causes the transfer device 40 to perform a transfer step (S45). When the transfer step is complete, the controller 71 transports the transport unit U to the dye fixing device 50 and causes the dye fixing device 50 to perform a fixing step (S46). The fixing control process in S46 can be similar to that in S15 (see FIGS. 13 to 15).

[0231] Next, the controller 71 acquires color information (resulting color information) measured by the color information measuring instrument 51 (see FIG. 1) for the lens L that has actually been dyed by the printing device 30, the transfer device 40, and the dye fixing device 50 (S47). As an example, in this embodiment, the resulting color information is the spectral transmittance data (more specifically, the L * a * b * color space, and luminous transmittance Y value) are used.

[0232] Here, the color information measuring instrument 51 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of light sources of different types (for example, two or more of a standard light source (such as CIE standard light source D65, for example), a white light source, a light source that emits light similar to sunlight, etc.). The color information measuring instrument 51 acquires the resultant color information of the lens L using a light source specified by the operator. Therefore, the resultant color information of the lens L is acquired appropriately using the light desired by the user.

[0233] Next, the controller 71 corrects the ejection amount of the identified dye (e.g., the ejection amount determination procedure in this embodiment) by the printing device 30 based on the result of the comparison process between the resultant color information acquired in S47 and the color information of the planned color determined in S42 so that the color of the lens L dyed in the subsequent dyeing process approaches the planned color (S49). In this embodiment, the comparison process involves calculating the difference between the resultant color information and the color information of the planned color. However, the comparison process may also involve calculating the ratio between the resultant color information and the color information of the planned color. In S49 of this embodiment, the determination procedure for determining the ejection amount of the identified dye is corrected based on the difference between the color density indicated by the resultant color information and the color density indicated by the color information of the planned color. More specifically, if the ejection amount determination procedure (algorithm) uses a calculation based on the base color information and the planned color, the calculation procedure is corrected based on the difference in color information. Furthermore, if the ejection amount determination procedure (algorithm) uses a table that associates planned colors with ejection amounts, the association in the table is corrected. The specific method for correcting the determination procedure can be selected as appropriate. For example, the amount of correction for the determination procedure may be predetermined depending on the difference or ratio between the resultant color information and the color information of the planned color. Alternatively, the amount of correction for the determination procedure may be acquired by inputting the difference or ratio between the resultant color information and the color information of the planned color into a mathematical model trained by a machine learning algorithm. As described above, the correction process exemplified in S49 is performed depending on the type of base material of the lens L.

[0234] Next, the controller 71 determines whether the processes of S42 to S49 have been completed for all of the multiple dyes that the printing device 30 can eject (print) (S51). If not completed (S51: NO), other dyes among the multiple dyes for which processing has not been completed are identified (S52), and the processes of S42 to S49 are repeated. As a result, the ejection amounts of all dyes are appropriately corrected. Therefore, the resin body is appropriately dyed with a large number of colors that are expressed by combinations of multiple dyes. When processing for all dyes has been completed (S51: YES), the ejection amount maintenance process ends.

[0235] In the discharge amount maintenance process illustrated in FIG. 16, the discharge amounts (in this embodiment, the procedure for determining the discharge amounts) are corrected for all of the multiple dyes (red, yellow, and blue in this embodiment). However, the discharge amounts may be corrected for only some of the multiple dyes. Also, in the discharge amount maintenance process illustrated in FIG. 16, the discharge amounts are corrected for each dye. However, in S42, a planned color to be dyed using multiple dyes may be determined. In S43, the discharge amounts of each of the multiple dyes for dyeing the planned color may be determined. In S44, the multiple dyes may be printed on the substrate S. In S49, the discharge amounts of each of the multiple dyes may be corrected according to the resultant color information and the color information of the planned color. Also, in S49, the discharge amounts of each dye may be corrected based on the transmittance value of the wavelength of the maximum absorption peak of each dye, which is obtained from the spectral transmittance data, which is the resultant color information. In this case, the discharge amounts of the multiple dyes are appropriately corrected by performing the processes of S42 to S49 once. In this embodiment, a spectrometer that measures the optical spectrum of the lens L is used as the color information measuring instrument 51. Therefore, even when the lens L is dyed with a plurality of dyes, the ejection amount of each dye is appropriately corrected.

[0236] (dyeing quality assessment process) 17, a description will be given of the dyeing quality determination process executed by the controller 71 of the dyeing system 1. In the dyeing quality determination process, it is determined whether or not the difference between the resultant color of the actually dyed lens L and the planned color exceeds an allowable range (i.e., whether or not the dyeing quality is poor), and processing is performed according to the determination result.

[0237] The staining quality determination process can also be incorporated into the first to third staining control processes (see FIGS. 13 to 15) described above. That is, the staining quality determination process can also perform the processes using identifiers and tags, the processes by the preparatory unit 20, and the processes by the coating device 60 described in FIGS. 13 to 15. However, to simplify the explanation of the staining quality determination process, the following description will omit the processes using identifiers and tags. Furthermore, some processes in the staining quality determination process (e.g., processes S44 to S47) can employ processes similar to those in the discharge rate maintenance process (see FIG. 16). Therefore, steps in the staining quality determination process that can employ processes similar to those in the discharge rate maintenance process are assigned the same step numbers as those in the discharge rate maintenance process, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified. When performing a staining process on the lenses L placed on each of the multiple transport units U, the controller 71 executes the staining quality determination process illustrated in FIG. 17 in accordance with a staining control program stored in the storage device.

[0238] First, the controller 71 acquires information on the type of substrate of the lens L to be dyed (S40). The processes of S61 to S66, which will be described later, are executed for each type of substrate acquired in S40. Next, the controller 71 acquires information on the planned color (color information) for dyeing the lens L (S61). As described above, the controller 71 may acquire color parameters associated with the identifier 88 or color parameters read from a tag as the planned color information.

[0239] The controller 71 determines the amount of each dye to be ejected in order to dye the lens L with the planned color acquired in S61 (S62). The procedure for determining the amount of each dye to be ejected can be the same as that of S42 (see FIG. 16) described above. The process of S62 is executed depending on the type of base material of the lens L.

[0240] The controller 71 outputs an instruction to the printing device 30 to eject (print) each dye onto the substrate S in the ejection amounts determined in S62 (S44). When printing is complete, the controller 71 causes the transport unit U to transport to the transfer device 40, and causes the transfer device 40 to perform a transfer process (S45). When the transfer process is complete, the controller 71 causes the transport unit U to transport to the dye fixing device 50, and causes the dye fixing device 50 to perform a fixing process (S46). Next, the controller 71 acquires color information (result color information) measured by the color information measuring instrument 51 (see FIG. 1) for the lens L actually dyed by the printing device 30, the transfer device 40, and the dye fixing device 50 (S47).

[0241] Next, the controller 71 determines whether the difference between the resultant color information and the color information of the planned color acquired in S61 exceeds an allowable range (threshold) (S62). The threshold may be set appropriately depending on the desired level of dyeing quality, etc. If the difference between the resultant color information and the planned color is equal to or less than the threshold (S62: NO), the dyeing quality is within the allowable range, and the process ends.

[0242] If the difference between the resultant color information and the planned color exceeds the threshold (S62: YES), a quality defect notification process is executed (S63). In the quality defect notification process, the user is notified that the dyeing quality of the lens L is poor. The method of notifying the user that the dyeing quality is poor can be selected as appropriate. For example, a method of displaying a message on a monitor, a method of notifying by voice, or a method of notifying by a warning lamp can be used.

[0243] Next, the controller 71 determines whether the discharge amount correction mode has been selected by the operator (S65). In this embodiment, the operator can select the discharge amount correction mode or the quality defect determination mode when causing the dyeing system 1 to execute a dyeing process. In the discharge amount correction mode, if the dyeing quality is poor, the discharge amount of each dye is corrected. In the quality defect determination mode, if the dyeing quality is poor, the operator is simply notified that the quality is poor.

[0244] If the discharge amount correction mode is not selected and the quality defect determination mode is selected (S65: NO), the process ends. If the discharge amount correction mode is selected (S65: YES), the controller 71 corrects the discharge amount of each dye (in this embodiment, the discharge amount determination procedure) by the printing device 30 based on the resultant color information acquired in S47 and the color information of the planned color acquired in S61 so that the color of the lens L dyed in the subsequent dyeing process approaches the planned color (S66). In S66 of this embodiment, the determination procedure for determining the discharge amount of each dye is corrected for each type of base material of the lens L based on the difference between the color density indicated by the resultant color information and the color density indicated by the color information of the planned color. More specifically, if the discharge amount determination procedure (algorithm) uses calculation based on base color information and the planned color, the calculation procedure is corrected based on the difference in color information. Furthermore, if the discharge amount determination procedure (algorithm) uses a table correlating planned colors with discharge amounts, the correspondence in the table is corrected.

[0245] If the ejection amount correction mode is always selected, the correction process of S66 is repeatedly executed each time the dyeing process is executed for the lens L. In other words, each time the dyeing process is executed, feedback control is performed to correct the dye ejection amount in accordance with the resultant color information.

[0246] The techniques disclosed in the above embodiments are merely examples. Therefore, it is possible to modify the techniques exemplified in the above embodiments. For example, only some of the techniques exemplified in the above embodiments may be adopted. As an example, in the first staining control process to the third staining control process exemplified in the above embodiments, a large number of parameters for the treatment to be performed on the lens L are acquired, and various operations by the staining system 1 are controlled according to the acquired large number of parameters. However, it is also possible to control some operations in the staining system 1 by referring to only some of the large number of parameters exemplified in the above embodiments.

[0247] The processes of acquiring parameters at S5, S9, S14, and S17 in FIG. 13, S14 and S17 in FIG. 14, and S32, S34, S35, and S36 in FIG. 15 are examples of a "parameter acquisition step." The process of controlling the drive of the dye fixing device at S15 in FIGS. 13 to 15 is an example of a "fixing control step." The process of storing parameters in association with an identifier at S3 in FIG. 13 is an example of an "association step." The process of printing an identifier on the substrate S at S24 in FIG. 14 is an example of an "identifier printing control step." The process of printing dye with the printing device 30 at S10 in FIGS. 13 to 15 is an example of a "printing control step." The process of controlling the drive of the rotation device 22 at S7 in FIGS. 13 to 15 is an example of a "rotation control step." The process of controlling the drive of the coating device at S18 in FIGS. 13 to 15 is an example of a "coating control step."

[0248] The process of determining the amount of dye to be discharged to dye the lens L with a planned color in S43 of FIG. 16 and S62 of FIG. 17 is an example of a "discharge amount determination step." The process of acquiring result color information in S47 of FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 is an example of a "result color information acquisition step." The process of correcting the determination procedure in S49 of FIG. 16 and S66 of FIG. 17 is an example of a "correction step." The quality defect notification process executed in S63 of FIG. 17 is an example of a "notification step." [Explanation of symbols]

[0249] 1. Dyeing system 2 Reading unit 10. Conveyor 21 Optical property measuring device 22 Rotating device 30 Printing device 40 Transcription device 50 Dye fixing device 51 Color Information Measuring Instrument 60 Coating Equipment 71 Controller 72 databases 80 dyeing trays 81 Tray body 82 Mounting part 82S light transmission section 83 Recess 84A Protrusion (positioning part, base protection part) 84B Protrusion (positioning part, base protection part, upper fitting part) 85 Base mounting section 86 Bottom fitting part 87 Spacer 88 Identifier 89 Mounting frame 89S light transmission section 510 Laser light irradiation unit 511 Laser light source 512 Objective Lens 513 Scanning Unit 520 Laser light blocking section 525 Resin body periphery 530 Thermal Camera 540 Inlet 550 Outlet 560 Pressure difference generating part 570 Radiant heat reflector L lens S base U Transport Unit

Claims

1. A dyeing system for dyeing a resin body, comprising: a conveying device that continuously conveys a plurality of conveying units each including a resin body; an identifier reading unit that reads an identifier provided for each of the transport units; a dye fixing device that fixes the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body by heating the resin body of the conveying unit conveyed by the conveying device; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit a parameter acquisition step of acquiring parameters of a material of a resin body included in the transport unit, the parameters corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reading unit, from a database that stores parameters for each transport unit; a fixing control step of fixing the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body by controlling a temperature transition of the resin body heated by the dye fixing device in accordance with the material parameters acquired based on the read identifier when the resin body of the transport unit from which the identifier has been read is heated by the dye fixing device; A dyeing system comprising:

2. A dyeing system for dyeing a resin body, comprising: a conveying device that continuously conveys a plurality of conveying units each including a resin body; a tag reader for reading information from a writable tag provided on each of the transport units; a dye fixing device that fixes the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body by heating the resin body of the conveying unit conveyed by the conveying device; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit a parameter acquisition step of acquiring parameters of a material of a resin body included in the transport unit from the information read by the tag reading unit; a fixing control step of fixing the dye adhered to the surface of the resin body by controlling a temperature transition of the resin body heated by the dye fixing device in accordance with the material parameters included in the read information when the resin body of the transport unit from which the information has been read is heated by the dye fixing device; A dyeing system comprising:

3. 3. The dyeing system according to claim 1 or 2, a transfer device that transfers the dye to the resin body in a state where the resin body of the transport unit transported by the transport device faces a substrate on which the dye is printed, The dye fixing device fixes the dye to the resin body by heating the resin body onto which the dye has been transferred by the transfer device.

Images