Automated Ophthalmic Lens Marking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marking processes for ophthalmic lenses are labor-intensive, complex, and prone to errors, especially with increasing complexity in lens manufacturing, and require configuration for various marking technologies and visibility levels, complicating the marking of both convex and concave faces.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method generates machine marking instructions by receiving lens order data, calculating ophthalmic lens data, determining marking parameters, and producing an additional marking layout to guide marking machines, allowing for dynamic changes and easier use of diverse marking technologies, including subtracting semi-finished markings to create final layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual marking processes are used for ophthalmic lenses, then flexibility in handling diverse marking technologies is maintained, but labor intensity and error proneness increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the marking machine automatically receives lens order data, calculates ophthalmic lens data, determines marking parameters, produces marking layouts, and generates machine instructions without manual intervention, thereby reducing labor intensity while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical marking operations with an automated computer-implemented system that processes lens order data through algorithms to generate marking instructions, substituting human labor with automated computational and mechanical systems
2Manufacturing precision
If complex lens manufacturing processes are accommodated with detailed marking schemes, then marking accuracy is improved, but process complexity and error proneness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marking process is segmented into distinct computational stages: receiving lens order data, calculating ophthalmic lens data, determining marking parameters, producing marking layouts, and generating machine instructions. This segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the overall process into manageable, automated steps while maintaining high marking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes lens order data and translates it into marking parameters and layouts before executing the actual marking. This intermediary layer manages the complexity between the manufacturing process and the marking execution, reducing error proneness through systematic data transformation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple marking technologies are configured for different visibility levels, then marking versatility is improved, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by creating a unified automated framework that can handle multiple marking technologies (excimer laser, CO2 laser, micro-percussion) through a single integrated process. The system determines appropriate marking parameters and generates instructions that work across different technologies without requiring separate configuration processes for each, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing configuration complexity
4Loss of information
If lenses are marked on both convex and concave faces, then information completeness is improved, but operational difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts marking parameters based on the lens face being marked (convex or concave). The automated calculation of ophthalmic lens data and determination of marking parameters accounts for the specific geometry of each face, enabling complete information marking on both surfaces while reducing operational difficulty through adaptive, face-specific parameter optimization
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of generating machine marking instructions for marking an ophthalmic lens is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving lens order data related to a lens order, receiving an initial marking layout and calculating, using the lens order data, ophthalmic lens data of an ophthalmic lens related to the lens order. The method also comprises the steps of determining, using the ophthalmic lens data, marking parameters relating to the ophthalmic lens, producing an additional marking layout by modifying the initial marking layout using the marking parameters and the lens order data, the additional marking layout representing the markings to be applied to the ophthalmic lens, and generating machine marking instructions arranged to cause a marking machine to mark the ophthalmic lens in accordance with the additional marking layout.