Lens Processing System Tracking Design Source via Digital Work Ticket
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in ophthalmic lens manufacturing is tracking the specific lens design used for custom surface curvature machining, as there is no physical packaging associated with the lens design, making it difficult to confirm the correct design has been applied and to evaluate manufacturing issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that accepts eyeglass prescriptions and frame parameters to generate a work order for laboratory technicians, tracks lens design products, and displays source information for the lens design used, including assigning a brand name for tracking purposes, using a laboratory lens processing system that interacts with lens design servers, digital surfacing machines, and databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital surfacing is used to produce customized lens surfaces without physical packaging, then manufacturing flexibility and customization capability are improved, but tracking and identification of the specific lens design used becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical packaging concept by generating an electronic work ticket that contains and displays the lens design brand name and source information. This digital work ticket serves as a virtual package that preserves and transmits the lens design identification information through the manufacturing process, allowing tracking without physical packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the work ticket generation and display system) that bridges the gap between the digital surfacing process and the lens design identification requirements. The work ticket acts as an intermediary carrier that holds and presents the lens design source information to laboratory technicians during the manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lens manufacturer markets lenses under its own brand name, then market competitiveness is improved, but the ability to identify the underlying lens design source is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the branding information into two distinct layers: the manufacturer's brand name (for marketing purposes) and the lens design source information (for identification purposes). The work ticket displays both pieces of information separately, allowing the manufacturer to maintain their brand identity while preserving the ability to identify the underlying lens design source when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an informational dimension to the branding process by incorporating source information display capabilities into the work ticket system. This creates a multi-dimensional information structure where the lens can be branded with the manufacturer's name while simultaneously maintaining access to the original lens design source information through the electronic work ticket.
3Device complexity
If lens design information is not readily available during manufacturing, then process simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing problem evaluation and quality control become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by generating the work ticket with lens design source information embedded in it before the manufacturing process begins. This ensures that the identification information is already prepared and available when needed, eliminating the need for complex real-time information retrieval systems during manufacturing while maintaining quality control capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lens processing system that tracks a lens design product used in the manufacture of a lens at a manufacturing facility is described. The system creates a work order for manufacturing the lens, where the manufacturing process can include machining a surface curvature on a lens blank by a lens grinding machine, and where the surface curvature is specified by a lens design. The system displays the work order on an electronic screen, and the work order includes the manufacturing facility's brand for the manufactured lens. A user can select the brand on the work ticket to obtain source information for the lens design used to manufacture the lens.