Integrated Transport Box Storage for Spectacle Lens Block Pieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing individual spectacle lenses require significant manual effort and resources, leading to increased costs and risks of incorrect block piece assignment, with a need for efficient storage and retrieval of block pieces and transport boxes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using transport boxes as both storage and transport vessels for block pieces, eliminating the need for separate storage of block pieces and boxes, and utilizing RFID or DMC for identification, allowing for automated management and minimization of manual handling and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If block pieces are stored separately from transport boxes, then block pieces can be organized by geometry types, but storage space requirements and handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transport box and block piece storage functions into a single integrated unit. Each transport box contains a dedicated block piece storage compartment that holds block pieces of specific geometry types, eliminating the need for separate storage areas while maintaining organized access by geometry type.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport box is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a transport container for lens blanks and as a storage unit for block pieces. The storage compartment within the transport box can accommodate different geometry types of block pieces, allowing the same container to perform multiple functions throughout the production process.
2Ease of operation
If manual handling of block pieces is performed, then flexibility in assignment is maintained, but errors in block piece assignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an identification system that reads data carriers (such as RFID tags or barcodes) on both transport boxes and block pieces. This automated identification provides feedback to verify that the correct block piece geometry type is assigned to the appropriate transport box and lens blank, eliminating manual assignment errors while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Speed
If multiple geometry types of block pieces are stored separately, then specific geometries can be quickly retrieved, but the number of storage locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The block piece storage compartment within each transport box is segmented into multiple compartments or slots, each designated for a specific geometry type of block piece. This segmentation allows for quick retrieval of the required geometry type while keeping the overall storage structure compact and integrated within the transport box, avoiding the need for multiple separate storage locations.
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
This approach reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and optimizes storage space, enabling faster and more efficient production of high-quality spectacle lenses by integrating block piece storage and transport within the transport boxes, thus enhancing production efficiency and reducing hardware outlay.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing RFID or DMC for identification
Implementation Method 2
ultraviolet-hardenable adhesive as blocking material
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preparing individual spectacle lenses (L) in accordance with a prescription order comprises the steps of: (i) blocking, a provided lens blank (LR) as workpiece on a block piece provided from a plurality of block pieces (B) from a block piece store (BL), (ii) processing the blocked lens blank at least at a second surface so as to obtain a blocked, processed spectacle lens (L) as workpiece, and (iii) deblocking the processed spectacle lens from the block piece, wherein the workpiece, optionally in the blocked state, is transported between the steps (i) to (iii) in one of a plurality of provided transport boxes (T). In the method, the block pieces prior to the step (i) of blocking are stored in the transport boxes in the block piece store and, for the step (i) of blocking, are provided in the transport boxes from the block piece store.