Grinding Machine Spacer for Multi-Function Optical Lens Machining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinding machines for optical glass lack increased functionalities while maintaining a compact size, limiting their ability to perform advanced machining operations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spacer with an outer machining surface between two machining tools on the rotary shaft, allowing for additional machining capabilities such as polishing, scoring, and counter-beveling, while maintaining a compact design by ensuring the spacer's dimensions do not exceed a certain radial extent and length, and equipping it with gear teeth or abrasive protrusions for effective material removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional machining tools are added to the rotary shaft to increase functionalities, then the machine can perform more machining operations, but the device dimensions and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a structural component to maintain tool spacing, and simultaneously functions as a machining tool with its own outer machining surface. This allows the same component to contribute to both tool positioning and actual lens machining operations, thereby increasing versatility without adding separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the spacer (a structural support element) with machining functionality by equipping it with an outer machining surface. This combination eliminates the need for a separate tool in the intermediate area, consolidating multiple functions into a single component and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Productivity
If the spacer dimensions are increased to improve machining capability, then more material can be removed, but the compact size of the machine is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed with differentiated local properties: the outer peripheral surface is equipped with machining capability (abrasive protrusions or gear teeth) while the intermediate area maintains a limited radial extent. This allows effective material removal at the outer surface without increasing the overall volume of the spacer, thereby maintaining compact machine dimensions while improving productivity.
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
Enhances the grinding machine's functionalities by enabling precise and oriented machining of ophthalmic lenses, including drilling, scoring, and counter-beveling, while maintaining reduced dimensions and improving productivity.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer defines an outer surface for machining the lens
Data Source
AI summary
This machine includes a base frame (17) and a lens support (19) mounted on the frame (17) with the lens support (19) having elements (29A, 29B) for driving a lens (15) into rotation around a first axis. It includes a tool holder set (21) including a rotary shaft (39) around a second axis (C-C′) and elements (43) for inclining the first axis (A-A′) with respect to the second axis (C-C′). The rotary shaft (39) bears at least two tools (49, 51) for machining the lens, spaced out along the second axis (C-C′), and a spacer (50) positioned in an intermediate area (55) located between both machining tools (49, 51). The spacer (50) defines an outer surface (57) for machining the lens.