A lens processing system used for removing a lens blank (98, 110) from an edging block (40). The system includes an elongated collet (22) that engages the mating edging block (40). The block (40) includes an enlarged groove (41) that receives a pair of blades (65, 66) extended upwardly from the floor (75) of the collet (22). Each lens blank (98,110) is formed to include a series of surface markings (191,192) to verify proper functioning of the edging machine that forms a finished lens. Each lens blank also includes a series of circular markings (117,133) arranged in diagonal rows to verify the accurate drilling of bores with the lens blank (98,110).

A polishing method comprising: arranging a polishing tool and a workpiece on lower and upper shaft sides of a polishing device, respectively, the polishing tool including: a polishing surface having a spherical zone shape; and a hole that is provided inside the polishing surface and concentric with an outer edge of the polishing surface around a rotation axis on a projection plane orthogonal to the rotation axis, a ratio of an outer diameter of the polishing surface to an inner diameter of the polishing surface being greater than 1.0 and 6.0 or less; and swinging the polishing tool relative to a reference point while rotating the polishing tool around the rotation axis. The reference point is positioned where a straight line, which passes through a center of the workpiece and intersects with the rotation axis, passes through a center of a spherical zone of the polishing surface in width direction.

A polishing method comprising: arranging a polishing tool and a workpiece on lower and upper shaft sides of a polishing device, respectively, the polishing tool including: a polishing surface having a spherical zone shape; and a hole that is provided inside the polishing surface and concentric with an outer edge of the polishing surface around a rotation axis on a projection plane orthogonal to the rotation axis, a ratio of an outer diameter of the polishing surface to an inner diameter of the polishing surface being greater than 1.0 and 6.0 or less; and swinging the polishing tool relative to a reference point while rotating the polishing tool around the rotation axis. The reference point is positioned where a straight line, which passes through a center of the workpiece and intersects with the rotation axis, passes through a center of a spherical zone of the polishing surface in width direction.

A polishing tool includes a polishing surface having a spherical zone shape and having a plurality of non-contact portions provided from an inner edge to an outer edge of the polishing surface so as not to contact with a workpiece. The plurality of non-contact portions is a plurality of grooves whose widths in a circumferential direction increase from the inner edge toward the outer edge. A polishing method using the polishing tool includes: rotating the polishing tool about the central axis of rotation; and simultaneously with rotating the polishing tool, swinging relatively at least one of the workpiece and the polishing tool with a predetermined swing width, around a position where a line passing through a center of the workpiece and intersecting with the central axis of rotation passes through a center in a width direction of a spherical zone of the polishing surface, thereby polishing the workpiece.

A polishing tool includes a polishing surface having a spherical zone shape and having a plurality of non-contact portions provided from an inner edge to an outer edge of the polishing surface so as not to contact with a workpiece. The plurality of non-contact portions is a plurality of grooves whose widths in a circumferential direction increase from the inner edge toward the outer edge. A polishing method using the polishing tool includes: rotating the polishing tool about the central axis of rotation; and simultaneously with rotating the polishing tool, swinging relatively at least one of the workpiece and the polishing tool with a predetermined swing width, around a position where a line passing through a center of the workpiece and intersecting with the central axis of rotation passes through a center in a width direction of a spherical zone of the polishing surface, thereby polishing the workpiece.

There is provided a surfacing station for processing of surfaces of optical elements as workpieces, including a processing unit configured to process surfaces of optical elements; a controller unit configured to communicate with a database containing processing protocols, which can be carried out by the surfacing station, and to control operation of the processing unit in accordance with the processing protocols; and an identification tag base configured to communicate with the controller unit and configured to determine identification tags of consumable items used by the surfacing station, the controller unit being configured to enable a surfacing protocol for processing of the optical elements as workpieces in function of an identified consumable item.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing optical workpieces, having a working space, wherein workpiece spindles for receiving and holding the optical workpieces and tool spindles with processing tools receivable thereon for processing the optical workpieces are arranged in the working space, wherein the tool spindles are arranged rotatably about their center axis, wherein the tool spindles are arranged linearly movably along their center axes. It is provided that at least two pairs of tool spindles are provided, that at least one device for rotational drive is provided for the at least two pairs of tool spindles, that at least one device for linear drive is provided for the at least two pairs of tool spindles along their center axes. The present invention further relates to a method for processing optical workpieces.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing optical workpieces, having a working space, wherein workpiece spindles for receiving and holding the optical workpieces and tool spindles with processing tools receivable thereon for processing the optical workpieces are arranged in the working space, wherein the tool spindles are arranged rotatably about their center axis, wherein the tool spindles are arranged linearly movably along their center axes. It is provided that at least two pairs of tool spindles are provided, that at least one device for rotational drive is provided for the at least two pairs of tool spindles, that at least one device for linear drive is provided for the at least two pairs of tool spindles along their center axes. The present invention further relates to a method for processing optical workpieces.