Spectacle Lens Handling via Reference Contour Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems for spectacle lenses struggle with accurately aligning and picking up lenses with complex shapes, leading to undefined positions and orientations, especially during machining processes like laser engraving, due to the convex front surface and uneven back surface, which results in time-consuming tactile sensing and potential distortion in engravings.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system that uses a reference contour for the vacuum suction unit to securely pick up spectacle lenses, allowing for defined alignment and orientation without tactile scanning, utilizing a vacuum suction unit with a bellows section and adjustable reference contour to ensure precise contact and alignment, and incorporating a pose detection device for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spectacle lenses are placed on a horizontal platform with the front surface facing upwards, then the lenses can be pre-positioned for machine-internal processing, but the front surface to be machined lies undefined in space due to the complexly shaped rear side
Solution Approach 1:
A reference contour is introduced as an intermediary element between the vacuum suction unit and the spectacle lens. This reference contour serves as a mediator that transfers the defined position from the handling device to the lens, enabling precise positioning without requiring the lens itself to have a defined reference surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference contour creates a virtual copy or projection of the desired lens position and orientation. By contacting the lens with this reference contour, the system establishes a defined pose without needing to physically measure or sense the lens surface, effectively copying the positional information from the handling device to the lens.
2Extent of automation
If spectacle lenses with convex front surfaces are picked up by a vacuum suction device, then the lenses can be handled automatically, but the position and orientation of the lenses become non-defined
Solution Approach 1:
The reference contour acts as a mediator that bridges the vacuum suction unit and the spectacle lens. It transfers the defined positional information from the handling device to the lens, enabling automatic handling while maintaining precise pose definition throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference contour is pre-positioned and pre-aligned within the handling device before the lens is picked up. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the lens is contacted by the reference contour during automatic handling, its pose is immediately defined without requiring subsequent measurement or adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If tactile height sensing is performed to determine lens position for laser engraving, then accurate positioning can be achieved, but the process becomes very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing tactile height sensing to determine position, the system uses the reference contour to directly establish the lens pose. The reference contour copies the desired positional information from the handling device to the lens, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurement processes while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical tactile height sensing system is replaced by a geometric referencing system using the reference contour. This substitution eliminates the need for complex measurement mechanisms and time-consuming sensing processes, directly establishing accurate lens positioning through geometric constraints.
4Manufacturing precision
If the spectacle lens area to be engraved is not oriented perpendicular to the laser beam, then the marking becomes distorted and the depth-of-field area is enlarged, but this occurs when the lens rests on a horizontal platform
Solution Approach 1:
The reference contour serves as a mediator that ensures the lens is properly oriented relative to the laser beam. By contacting the lens with the reference contour, the system guarantees that the engraving area is perpendicular to the laser beam, preventing distortion without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference contour is pre-aligned within the handling device to ensure proper lens orientation before the lens is picked up and positioned for engraving. This preliminary alignment ensures that when the lens is contacted by the reference contour, it is already in the correct orientation for high-quality engraving, simplifying the overall alignment requirements.
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
Enables precise and efficient alignment of spectacle lenses, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring accurate laser engraving by determining the actual pose of the lens without tactile sensing, maintaining the quality of engravings even for lenses with extreme curves.
Implementation Method 1
a handling device (5), which comprises a vacuum suction unit (6) with the aid of which a spectacle lens (2) can be picked up from the support (4)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a positioning system (1) for handling and aligning a spectacle lens (2), comprising a transfer device (3) with a support (4) for placing a spectacle lens (2) on it and a handling device (5) having a vacuum suction unit (6) for picking up a spectacle lens (2) placed on the support (4) of the transfer device (3). The handling device (5) comprises a reference contour (7) for contacting a spectacle lens (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for handling a spectacle lens.