Simultaneous Milling and Turning Spectacle Lens Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional milling and turning machines for processing spectacle lenses suffer from inefficiencies due to separate work areas and machinery, leading to downtime and increased handling efforts, which hinder high-throughput and surface quality in industrial production.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated high-performance milling and turning machine with vibration-decoupled units allows simultaneous processing of two spectacle lenses, utilizing a common working space with perpendicular spindle arrangements for efficient machining and automatic workpiece handling, reducing the need for additional equipment and increasing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate machines with separate work areas are used for milling and turning, then each machining operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but there is considerable downtime for each machining unit and increased handling efforts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines milling and turning operations into a single machine with a common working space, allowing both machining units to operate simultaneously on different workpieces. This integration eliminates the need for separate machines and transfer operations, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining machining quality through dedicated tooling for each operation type.
Solution Approach 2:
By enabling simultaneous milling and turning operations in the same working space, the machine ensures continuous productive action without idle time. While one workpiece is being milled, another can be turned, eliminating the downtime that occurs when switching between separate machines and keeping both machining units constantly utilized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual machines with separate loading devices are used, then each machining operation can be independently controlled, but additional equipment is required to transfer workpieces between operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple machining operations into a single machine platform with a common working space, eliminating the need for separate loading devices and transfer equipment. The unified design reduces overall equipment complexity while maintaining the ability to perform both milling and turning operations with appropriate tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform both milling and turning operations within the same working space. This universal capability is achieved through a common machine frame that supports different machining units and a single loading device that can handle workpieces for both operations, reducing the total number of equipment pieces needed.
3Device complexity
If milling and turning are performed in series in one machine, then equipment complexity is reduced, but there is considerable downtime for each machining unit as the other is idle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines milling and turning operations into simultaneous parallel processes within a single machine, rather than sequential operations. Both machining units operate at the same time in the common working space, eliminating idle time and maximizing the utilization of both machining capabilities while maintaining a unified machine structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If workpieces are transferred between separate machining operations, then each operation can be optimized independently, but handling effort and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates workpiece transfer between separate operations by integrating both milling and turning operations into a single machine with a common working space. Workpieces remain in the same location throughout the machining process, eliminating handling time and potential positioning errors, while both operations can proceed simultaneously without interference.
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 configuration enables high-throughput production of spectacle lenses with exceptional surface accuracy and quality, potentially eliminating the need for subsequent polishing processes, thereby enhancing production efficiency and reducing processing time.
Implementation Method 1
whose machine frames are essentially vibration-decoupled from one another, for which purpose at least one of the machine frames has vibration decoupling elements on a common machine frame is mounted
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves treating workpieces (L, L') e.g. eyeglass lenses with a machine (10). A milling unit (12) and a turning unit (11) are provided in a common work space (17) where in the work space two workpieces are to be worked on simultaneously, such that whilst one is milled the other is turned. An independent claim is included for a high-speed milling and turning machine.