A method, an installation and a system for processing optical workpieces in which workpieces are conveyed to individual processing apparatus or processing lines corresponding to an assignment. The respective assignment preferably takes into consideration assignment parameters, such as the availability and capability of processing apparatus and/or processing lines. The assignment that already has been carried out is examined before the actual or ultimate conveying and/or when there is a change in the assignment parameters and optionally is changed in a corresponding manner, taking into consideration the current assignment parameters, in order to adapt to current circumstances. As an alternative or in addition, jobs for processing workpieces are forwarded to the processing installations at different sites based on corresponding assignment parameters. Optionally, an examination and, as appropriate, a change in the assignment are made when new jobs or significant changes in the assignment parameters are detected.

A method of processing a workpiece with a first surface and a second surface facing away therefrom includes the following principal steps: (i) blocking the workpiece with the aid of a blocking material on a blocking member with the blocking material between blocking member and first surface, (ii) processing the workpiece by a geometrically defined cutting edge at the second surface for achieving the desired macrogeometry, (iii) processing the workpiece by a geometrically undefined cutting edge at the second surface for achieving the desired microgeometry and (iv) deblocking the workpiece from the blocking member. The principal step (ii) includes a plunge-cutting sub-step (ii.2) in which by a geometrically defined cutting edge an encircling plunge cut is produced which extends through the first surface as far as into the blocking material so that the workpiece with a predetermined edge profile remains on the blocking member radially within the plunge cut.

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.

Disclosed is a lamination machine including: a film support for receiving a functional film to be laminated; an article support configured to receive and position the optical article in a predetermined orientation; and an actuating member configured to move the film support and the article support toward each other for laminating at a predetermined pressure the functional film received in the film support onto the optical article received within the article support. The article support is a blocker support configured to receive a surfacing blocker onto which the optical article is to be disposed for lamination, the article support being further configured to transmit laminating forces induced by the predetermined pressure to the lamination machine during a lamination operation.

A system and a method for processing of optical lenses in which the processing takes place by means of different processing apparatus between which there is a respective transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus are used both for longitudinal and also cross conveyance. Each processing apparatus has its own conveyor apparatus which is controlled by the processing apparatus itself. The transfer apparatus are controlled by a central transfer control.

Disclosed is an apparatus for processing lens edge. The apparatus comprises: a wheel-shaft-moving rotating member whose one end is fixed to a fixing frame by a moving-shaft, for moving pivotally about the moving-shaft; a wheel-shaft mounted on the other end of the wheel-shaft-moving rotating member, for moving pivotally with the wheel-shaft-moving rotating member and for being rotated by driving a wheel-rotating motor; and a cutter for processing the lens edge into a form of a step/incline shape, the cutter being coupled to one end of the wheel shaft to move with the wheel-shaft to contact the lens edge, and rotated with the wheel-shaft to cut the surface of the lens, and the cutter comprising a rotating body inserted into the wheel-shaft to rotate with the wheel-shaft, and at least one cutting projection formed on the circumference of the rotating body to cut the edge and the periphery of the lens.

A method for machining optical workpieces has the following steps: i) providing the blank that is to be machined at least on the rear side and edge; ii) receiving the blank without a block in order to retain it in a supported manner; iii) machining the blank on the front side by use of a first tool to form a peripheral geometric shape with a depth greater than or equal to the edge thickness of the semifinished product to be formed; iv) receiving the workpiece to retain it in a supported manner on the front side; and v) machining the workpiece on the rear side by use of a second tool to form the semifinished product with the predetermined surface geometry on the rear side.

A system and a method for processing of optical lenses in which the processing takes place using different processing apparatus between which there is a respective transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus are used both for longitudinal and also cross conveyance. Each processing apparatus has its own conveyor apparatus which is controlled by the processing apparatus itself. The transfer apparatus are controlled by a central transfer control.

The method includes applying glue onto one surface of one component of the tool placed in a support of a first supporting member and/or onto one surface of another component of the tool placed in a support of a second supporting member while the support of the first supporting member and the support of the second supporting member are side by side; then driving the first supporting member and the second supporting member relative to one another to a second position where the support of the first supporting member and the support of the second supporting member are aligned; and then pressing the first supporting member and the second supporting member towards one another for applying onto each other the one surface of the one component and the one surface of the another component.

A glass lens blank for polishing in which a thickness of a defect-containing layer is suppressed to a minimum and thus it is possible to shorten the processing time required for grinding and polishing the glass lens blank for polishing after press-molding, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of manufacturing an optical lens. A glass lens blank for polishing of which at least a main surface is a press-molding surface, wherein a defect-containing layer formed on the main surface has a thickness of 50 m or less.