A tooling system may comprise a device configured to communicate with an identifier of a machine tool and a tool database having tool information including a predefined proximity associated with the identifier. The device may be configured to automatically activate, without a user-initiated scan, communication with at least one of the machine tool and the tool database in response to the identifier being within the predefined proximity. The device may also be configured to transfer tool information of the machine tool with respect to the tool database.

Provided is a management device capable of communicating with a counting device that counts the number mold opening and closing cycles. The management device includes a memory and a processor. The processor outputs one or more index values that can be used for determining a next maintenance timing, by using a first value that is a count value acquired from the counting device, and one or more second values that are count values, at a last maintenance time, stored in the memory.

A method for determining whether or not a single use mold is acceptable, comprises providing a closed lens mold (1) comprising two lens mold halves, and having a first and a second optical lens molding surface forming a molding cavity (15) and defining a molding cavity thickness therebetween, providing at least one interferometer (3), each having at least one thickness measurement beam (31), providing a lens mold holder (2), positioning the lens mold (1) such that the thickness measurement beam (31) of the interferometer (3) impinges on the lens mold (1) for measurement of the distance between the two molding surfaces surrounding the molding cavity (15), measuring the thickness profile of the molding cavity (15) with the interferometer (3) on at least three positions of the molding cavity (15) of the lens mold (1), comparing the measured thickness profile with a predetermined thickness profile to determine whether or not the lens mold (1) is acceptable.

A method for determining whether or not a single use mold is acceptable, comprises providing a closed lens mold (1) comprising two lens mold halves, and having a first and a second optical lens molding surface forming a molding cavity (15) and defining a molding cavity thickness therebetween, providing at least one interferometer (3), each having at least one thickness measurement beam (31), providing a lens mold holder (2), positioning the lens mold (1) such that the thickness measurement beam (31) of the interferometer (3) impinges on the lens mold (1) for measurement of the distance between the two molding surfaces surrounding the molding cavity (15), measuring the thickness profile of the molding cavity (15) with the interferometer (3) on at least three positions of the molding cavity (15) of the lens mold (1), comparing the measured thickness profile with a predetermined thickness profile to determine whether or not the lens mold (1) is acceptable.

A mold test apparatus includes a mold support plate having a top surface on which a mold is mounted, wherein the mold support plate includes a plurality of test suction pipes communicating with paths in the mold, vacuum pipes each having one end connected to one of the plurality of test suction pipes, a pump connected to the other end of the pipe, and at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the vacuum pipe, wherein the paths communicate with adsorption holes provided in a top surface of the mold, and wherein the at least one pressure sensor includes a determining unit configured to determine whether the adsorption holes are clogged by using the measured pressure.

A mold test apparatus includes a mold support plate having a top surface on which a mold is mounted, wherein the mold support plate includes a plurality of test suction pipes communicating with paths in the mold, vacuum pipes each having one end connected to one of the plurality of test suction pipes, a pump connected to the other end of the pipe, and at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the vacuum pipe, wherein the paths communicate with adsorption holes provided in a top surface of the mold, and wherein the at least one pressure sensor includes a determining unit configured to determine whether the adsorption holes are clogged by using the measured pressure.

A method for optically inspecting a mold (10) for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses for possible mold defects, including: generating a set of images of the mold (10) for different azimuthal illumination angles (1, 9) using an illumination system (20) and an imaging system (30), the latter being aligned such that its focal plane cuts through the mold (10) at a specific axial position along a center axis of the mold (10); generating a focal plane image by averaging pixelwise over the set of images after having masked out in each image those regions that include direct specular reflections from the mold (10); repeating the previous steps for one or a plurality of different axial positions of the focal plane such as to generate a plurality of different focal plane images; identifying one or more image features in the plurality of focal plane images indicative for a possible mold defect; determining for each identified image feature in which focal plane image the identified image feature appears sharpest; generating for each identified image feature a respective image section out of the respective sharpest focal plane containing the image feature; and generating a composed dark field image of the mold (10) by composing the respective image sections for each identified image feature, thus enabling to determine as to whether the possible defects of the mold (10) still allow the mold (10) to be used.

A method for optically inspecting a mold (10) for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses for possible mold defects, including: generating a set of images of the mold (10) for different azimuthal illumination angles (1, 9) using an illumination system (20) and an imaging system (30), the latter being aligned such that its focal plane cuts through the mold (10) at a specific axial position along a center axis of the mold (10); generating a focal plane image by averaging pixelwise over the set of images after having masked out in each image those regions that include direct specular reflections from the mold (10); repeating the previous steps for one or a plurality of different axial positions of the focal plane such as to generate a plurality of different focal plane images; identifying one or more image features in the plurality of focal plane images indicative for a possible mold defect; determining for each identified image feature in which focal plane image the identified image feature appears sharpest; generating for each identified image feature a respective image section out of the respective sharpest focal plane containing the image feature; and generating a composed dark field image of the mold (10) by composing the respective image sections for each identified image feature, thus enabling to determine as to whether the possible defects of the mold (10) still allow the mold (10) to be used.

Provided is a mold cleaning system. When cleaning a mold, the mold cleaning system acquires three-dimensional image data of a molding surface of the mold by a camera and, on the basis of the acquired image data, the mold cleaning system controls the movement of arms using a control device, moves a laser head along the molding surface while irradiating with a laser beam supplied by a laser oscillator and, as a result, removes dirt adhered to the molding surface.

An improved longitudinal stretching unit is disclosed, in addition to the installation position or operating position (A) for the assembly to be replaced, a standby position (D) and/or standby station at which a further assembly is kept on standby. The standby position (D) and/or the standby station is arranged and/or configured in relation to the longitudinal stretching unit such that the further assembly provided at this standby position (D) and/or standby station, already before the installation at the operating position (A), is brought or can be brought to operating temperature or at least to a preheating temperature that is higher or less than 30 C. lower than operating temperature.