Disclosed are systems and processes for generating a finished or semi-finished lens, such as a spectacle lens, from a lens blank that includes an intermediate functional layer. Some embodiments of the process involve locating the functional layer and positioning the lens blank according to the location of the functional layer. The location of the functional layer can be ascertained by measuring the thickness of one or more layers of the lens blank. The lens blank can be surfaced on one or both sides to form a finished or semi-finished lens. Other embodiments are also described.

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).

An eyeglasses lens processing system includes the transport robot that holds an eyeglasses lens in a holding portion to transport the eyeglasses lens, an eyeglasses lens processing device that processes the eyeglasses lens held between a pair of the lens holding shafts, a shape information acquisition unit that acquires information about a refractive surface shape of the eyeglasses lens, and a relative movement unit that changes a relative positional relationship between the eyeglasses lens held by the holding portion of the transport robot and the pair of lens holding shafts. The relative movement unit at least two-dimensionally changes the relative positional relationship, based on acquired information of the refractive surface shape, to insert the eyeglasses lens into a predetermined insertion position in a gap between the pair of lens holding shafts.

A method and associated implementing system eliminates much of the stress presently introduced by the bonding of ophthalmic lens blanks, or blanks to a holding device, namely a metal block. The method of attaching ophthalmic lens blanks to a blocking assembly comprises the steps of shaping a blocking assembly to take the shape of an ophthalmic lens blank surface of an ophthalmic lens, wherein the blocking assembly is not attached directly to the ophthalmic lens blank during shaping of the blocking assembly; and following the shaping of the blocking assembly, attaching the lens blank to the shaped blocking assembly.

A mandrel for holding and positioning an intraocular lens blank during manufacturing includes a shank portion having a central axis and a lens blank holding section configured to hold the lens blank. The holding section includes a central cavity formed concentrically with the central axis of the mandrel. Projections are formed on a surface of the central cavity and are configured to support a first surface of the lens blank at a fixed distance from the surface of the central cavity. A ring fits within a peripheral portion of the central cavity to hold a second opposing surface of the lens blank. A method for making an intraocular lens using the mandrel includes filling the space formed under the first surface of the lens with a liquid, such as water, freezing the liquid, and then machining and/or milling the second surface of the lens blank.

A method for manufacturing a spectacle lens according to a prescription includes: blocking or fixing a semi-finished spectacle lens blank having a first face possessing a final curvature and a second face opposite the first face on a block piece or a vacuum or holding chuck, respectively, wherein the first face of the semi-finished spectacle lens blank faces the block piece or the vacuum or holding chuck, respectively; surfacing the blocked or fixed semi-finished spectacle lens blank on the second face to obtain a final curvature of the second face; and deblocking the surfaced spectacle lens blank from the block piece or removing the surfaced spectacle lens blank from the vacuum or holding chuck prior to any subsequent coating step. The first face is coated with a top coating having a surface energy of less than 20 mJ/m.sup.2.

A compensating pad for applying to an ophthalmic lens blank to be blocked, or for interposing between an ophthalmic lens blank and a block piece. The compensating pad comprises a main body that is designed to be elastic having a maximum thickness corresponding to a maximum layer thickness difference of the ophthalmic lens blank, in order to locally compensate for the layer thickness difference of the blocked ophthalmic lens blank.

A device for polishing an optical lens or an optical mirror, using a liquid polishing agent, has a workpiece carrier for establishing at least a first surface of the optical lens or of the optical mirror. The workpiece carrier has a porous and elastic lining for establishing the at least one first surface of the optical lens or of the optical mirror, and the lining is configured as a lining that is permeable for the polishing agent. Furthermore, a method polishes an optical lens or an optical mirror.

Method of taping an optical lens member (10) to be manufactured. An optical lens member providing step (S1) is performed during which an optical lens member (10) is provided, the optical lens member has a first optical surface (11) associated with a first reference system and a second optical surface (12) to be manufactured, the first and second optical surfaces being connected by a external periphery surface (14), the first reference system being identified by at least one referencing element (111) on the first optical surface and/or the external periphery surface of the optical lens member, a taping step (S2) during which an adhesive tape (17) is provided on the first surface of the lens member so as to cover at least part of the first surface and leaving the referencing element uncovered.

In a spectacle lens including a permanent mark arranged on a concave surface, a layout mark indicating a predetermined reference position on a convex surface is arranged on the convex surface.