Spectacle Lens Machining Speed Based on Geometric Complexity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in machining spectacle lenses lies in finding a balance between productivity and surface conformity, as low speeds ensure conformity but reduce productivity, while high speeds increase productivity at the cost of conformity, and determining optimal machining parameters for complex surfaces is complex.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to determine a fixed rotational speed for machining spectacle lenses by calculating the greatest difference in mean sphere geometric values and cylinder values, independent of the lens material, using standard optical calculation tools, and creating a correspondence table for intrinsic difficulty levels to select appropriate machining parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a very low machining speed is used, then the conformity of the surface produced with the desired surface is ensured, but the productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface conformityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the machining parameter (rotational speed) dynamically based on the local geometric complexity of the surface. By calculating the mean sphere geometric value and cylinder geometric value at each point, the system determines an optimal rotational speed that adapts to the local surface characteristics, allowing high speeds in simple areas and low speeds in complex areas, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and surface conformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a high machining speed is used, then the productivity is increased, but the conformity of the surface produced with the desired surface is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidsurface conformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed parameter based on real-time calculation of geometric values. In regions with low geometric complexity (low mean sphere difference and low cylinder value), higher rotational speeds are permitted, maintaining productivity. In regions with high geometric complexity, the rotational speed is reduced to ensure surface conformity, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If tests are carried out to determine the optimum machining speed for complex surfaces, then the surface conformity is improved, but the time and complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface conformityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary calculations of the mean sphere geometric value and cylinder geometric value before the actual machining process. By pre-determining the optimal rotational speed based on the surface geometry, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming tests during production, thus improving surface conformity without increasing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces physical trial-and-error testing with computational calculation. By using mathematical formulas to calculate geometric values and determine optimal speeds, the system substitutes mechanical testing procedures with intellectual computation, reducing both time and complexity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If the machining parameters are determined based on lens material and refractive index, then the surface conformity is improved, but the complexity of determining parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface conformityVSAvoidparameter determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the material-dependent parameters (refractive index, material properties) from the machining parameter determination process. By formulating the rotational speed calculation based solely on geometric values (mean sphere difference and cylinder value) that are independent of material properties, the system simplifies the parameter determination process while maintaining surface conformity through geometry-based adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2517078B1Machining method for machining one face of a spectacle lens
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP2517078B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2517078B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2517078B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a machining method for machining a surface of a spectacle lens at a fixed rotation speed, comprising a step of determining said rotation speed from geometric characteristics of said surface, characterized in that the step of determining the rotation speed comprises the following steps: a value (Maxdiff) representative of the largest difference in geometric value of the mean sphere on said surface is determined; and the rotation speed is deduced from said value (Maxdiff) of the largest difference in geometric values of the mean sphere on said surface and from a geometric value of the cylinder (FV torus) at a predetermined far-vision control point.