Eyeglass component engraving device

Abstract

A laser cutting tool whose position, aiming direction and cutting duration are controlled by a programmable microprocessor, is housed in a cabinet above a platen equipped with a number of component-holding stations. Each of the stations has a plurality of vises sized to grasp an eyeglass component including lenses or lens blanks, a eyeglass frame, temple pieces, a nose bridge, a carrying case or a lens cleaning swatches. Program data sets specify the edging out of blanks of a particular optical property, and the engraving of the lens and other components with decorative patterns. A cylindrical cutting wheel mounted on a position-controlled carriage has a circular groove is also programmed to bevel the edges of the lenses.

1 . A device for machining eyeglass components including lenses, frames, temple pieces, nose: bridges, cases and cleaning swatches, which comprises: 
 a holding platen including a plurality of component holding stations;    each of said stations being shaped and dimensioned to fixedly hold one of said components;    an electronic controlled cutting tool mounted about said platen; and    a programmable microprocessor adapted to control the location, aim and cutting duration of said tool with respect to said stations according to component parameter data sets.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said machining of eyeglass lenses comprises edging lenses out of cylindrical or spherical lens blanks along edging paths selected as a function of defined optical parameters; and 
 wherein said component parameter data sets comprise lens blank parameters and lens optical parameters.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said data set comprise lens engraving parameters.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said data sets comprise frame engraving parameters.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said data sets comprises temple piece engraving parameters.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said data sets comprise eyeglass case engraving parameters.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said data sets comprise cleaning swatch engraving parameters.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said data sets comprises lens, frame, temple piece, nose bridge, case, and cleaning swatch engraving parameters.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said data sets further comprise lens, frame, temple piece, nose bridge, case and cleaning swatch engraving parameters.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  which further comprises a position controllable grinding tool mounted about said platen; and 
 wherein said programmable microprocessor is adapted to apply said grinding tool to peripheral areas of lenses.    
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said grinding tool comprises a cylindrical abrasive head having an axial spinning movement and a peripheral groove.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said groove is shaped and dimensioned to bevel the edges of lenses.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said data sets comprise lens edging, beveling and engraving parameters.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 3 ,wherein said lens engraving data sets comprise program routines for creating a dye-retaining tooth pattern in a marginal peripheral zone of said lenses.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said machining of lenses comprises drilling component attachment holes through said lenses; and 
 said data sets comprise drill location parameters.    
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said platen comprises a plurality of vises sized to grasp a plurality of said components.