Spectacle Lens Laser Marking Before Coating and Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method for producing spectacle lenses using laser marking requires multiple steps and increased work and cost due to separate marking processes after machining and applying coatings, necessitating a more efficient approach.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where identification and processing information marks are laser-marked on the convex surface of the lens material before concave surface machining, allowing for reduced laser marking work and lower maintenance costs, with marks formed as holes or grooves less than 70 µm in diameter and 0.1 to 3 µm in depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If marking is performed twice (after convex surface machining and after coating application), then identification and processing information can be maintained throughout the process, but production work and laser irradiation device maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemark retentionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs laser marking of both identification information and processing information on the convex surface before coating application. This preliminary action ensures that marks are created when the surface is accessible, eliminating the need for a second marking operation after coating, thus reducing production steps while maintaining mark visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple marking operations into a single step by marking both identification information (for lens identification) and processing information (for manufacturing data) simultaneously on the convex surface before coating, consolidating what would otherwise require separate marking steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If marking is performed twice (after convex surface machining and after coating application), then identification and processing information can be maintained throughout the process, but laser irradiation device maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemark retentionVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs laser marking of both identification information and processing information on the convex surface before coating application. This preliminary action ensures that marks are created when the surface is accessible, eliminating the need for a second marking operation after coating, thus reducing production steps while maintaining mark visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple marking operations into a single step by marking both identification information (for lens identification) and processing information (for manufacturing data) simultaneously on the convex surface before coating, consolidating what would otherwise require separate marking steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If hole diameter is reduced to less than 70 μm and depth controlled to 0.1-3 μm, then mark visibility is maintained after coating, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemark visibilityVSAvoidhole dimension control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for laser marking: hole diameter less than 70 μm and depth between 0.1-3 μm. These controlled parameters ensure that marks remain visible after coating application while maintaining consistency across production. The specific parameter ranges balance mark visibility with manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables the production of spectacle lenses with reduced laser marking work and costs, while maintaining the ability to identify and process the lenses effectively, even after coating applications.

Implementation Method 1

marking an identification information mark and a processing information mark by forming a hole or a groove in a convex surface of the lens material by laser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4030222A1Spectacle lens producing method, spectacle lens producing system, and spectacle lens
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 HOYA LENS THAILAND LTD
  • EP4030222A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4030222A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4030222A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a plastic spectacle lens, comprising a lens material, and an identification information mark (35) for identifying the spectacle lens. The identification information mark (35) includes laser marking formed of holes or a groove with a diameter or a width of 5-30 pm and a depth of 0.1-3 pm in an area, of the lens material, to be used as the spectacle lens, the holes being formed by dots of pulsed laser irradiation at predetermined intervals, or the groove being formed by dots of pulsed irradiation continuously formed at narrower intervals. The spectacle lens further comprises a hard film formed on a surface of the lens material by hard coating treatment.