Glass Lens Mold Marking by Nondisruptive Laser Displacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for applying marking structures to glass bodies, such as spectacle lens molds, suffer from complications like material damage, mold sticking, and limited engraving quality, particularly when using acid etching or laser engraving techniques.

Innovation Solution

A method involving laser radiation to cause local, nondisruptive material displacement in the glass body, forming marking structures without material ablation or swelling, using parameters like intensity and pulse duration to achieve smooth edges and precise structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If acid etching is used to apply marking structure to casting mold, then marking structure can be applied to glass body, but the process becomes complicated and requires multiple steps including pre-coating and resin application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking structure applicationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex multi-step acid etching process (including pre-coating, resin application, and etching) and replaces it with a simple laser marking process that directly applies the marking structure to the casting mold surface without any additional materials or steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical acid etching process with a physical laser marking process, substituting chemical reactions with optical energy to create the marking structure on the glass casting mold

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If acid etching is used to apply marking structure to casting mold, then marking structure can be applied to glass body, but resin and acid are required which are undesirable from ecological point of view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking structure applicationVSAvoidecological harm
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the use of harmful chemicals (acid and resin) by replacing the chemical etching process with a clean laser marking process that uses optical energy instead of corrosive substances, thereby removing the ecological harm while maintaining marking effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the chemical-based acid etching process with a physical laser-based process, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals and their associated environmental problems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If acid etching is used to apply marking structure to casting mold, then marking structure can be applied to glass body, but marking structure becomes prone to mold sticking causing casting form and spectacle lens blank to disintegrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking structure applicationVSAvoidmold sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the resin layer that causes mold sticking by eliminating the acid etching process entirely and using laser marking that creates markings directly on the glass surface without requiring any additional coating materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical process that creates sticky resin deposits with a physical laser process that creates clean, non-sticky markings on the glass mold surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If laser engraving resulting in material removal is used to apply marking structure to casting mold, then marking structure can be applied to glass body, but micro cracks form in casting mold at edge of engraving area which expand when removing casting mold resulting in casting mold breaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking structure applicationVSAvoidcasting mold strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses controlled laser parameters to create markings that are sufficient for identification purposes without excessive material removal that would cause stress concentrations and crack formation at the edges of the engraving area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the material removal laser engraving process with a laser marking process that modifies the surface without removing significant material, thereby avoiding the creation of micro-cracks and edge stress concentrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Manufacturing precision

If laser engraving resulting in material removal is used to apply marking structure to casting mold, then marking structure can be applied to glass body, but monomeric casting material remains on casting mold after removing casting mold from spectacle lens blank

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking structure applicationVSAvoidcasting material residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the material removal process that creates rough surfaces and residues by using laser marking that creates clean, smooth markings without removing casting material, thereby preventing monomeric residue accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the material removal laser engraving process with a laser marking process that does not remove material, thereby eliminating the source of casting material residue on the mold surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method prevents damage to the glass body, reduces mold sticking, and enables precise, durable marking structures suitable for distinguishing spectacle lenses, while being cost-effective and compatible with conventional laser sources.

Implementation Method 1

applying laser radiation to a glass body at an intended position of a marking structure, wherein the laser radiation is applied such as to cause a local, nondisruptive material displacement in the glass body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser radiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

cause a local, nondisruptive material displacement in the glass body at the intended position of the marking structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial displacement: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4667431A1Methods for applying a marking structure to a glass body and for manufacturing a spectacle lens blank
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 CARL ZEISS VISION INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4667431A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4667431A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4667431A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

Provided is a method (100) for applying a marking structure (10) to a glass body (12). The method (100) comprises applying (102) a laser radiation (12) to the glass body (12) at an intended position (16) of the marking structure (10). The laser radiation (14) is applied such as to cause a local, nondisruptive material displacement (18) in the glass body (12) at the intended position (16) of the marking structure (10).