A method of preparing individual spectacle lenses (L) in accordance with a prescription order comprises the steps of: (i) blocking, a provided lens blank (LR) as workpiece on a block piece provided from a plurality of block pieces (B) from a block piece store (BL), (ii) processing the blocked lens blank at least at a second surface so as to obtain a blocked, processed spectacle lens (L) as workpiece, and (iii) deblocking the processed spectacle lens from the block piece, wherein the workpiece, optionally in the blocked state, is transported between the steps (i) to (iii) in one of a plurality of provided transport boxes (T). In the method, the block pieces prior to the step (i) of blocking are stored in the transport boxes in the block piece store and, for the step (i) of blocking, are provided in the transport boxes from the block piece store.

A method for manufacturing an optical element according to a prescription is provided, including providing a combination of a block piece and a lens blank having a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the lens blank being blocked with the first face on the block piece, surfacing and polishing the second face of the lens blank, cleaning the lens blank, hard coating the second face of the lens blank, degassing the lens blank, applying an AR-coating in a vacuum box coater, and deblocking the processed lens blank from the block piece, wherein the cleaning step includes a pre-cleaning step including a finishing drying step allowing the lens blank to be put on hold, and a deep cleaning step prior to the hard coating step.

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.

A curing apparatus (400) includes a housing (402) having a sidewall (404) with an inlet (408) spaced apart from an outlet (410) along an axis, the housing defining an interior chamber (406). At least one opening (419) extends through the sidewall of the housing, for example from the inlet to the outlet. At least one ultraviolet radiation source (426) is operative for transmitting ultraviolet radiation into the interior chamber. At least one nozzle (436) is in flow communication with the interior chamber. The at least one opening is an open slot configured to receive a portion of an article carrier moving along a guideway outside of the housing such that an article supported by the article carrier moves through the interior chamber from the inlet to the outlet on the portion of the article carrier extending through the slot.

A manufacturing system carries out a method for additively manufacturing ophthalmic devices, and includes a tank filled with a predetermined material, a single curing device for curing volumes of the predetermined material to harden layers of the ophthalmic devices, a layering device for layering volumes of the predetermined material onto harden layers of the ophthalmic devices. The manufacturing system includes building platforms movable relative to the tank and on which are supported the ophthalmic devices. The number of building platforms is determined by the predetermined material, curing time for the single curing device to cure a volume of the predetermined material, and a layering time for the layering device to provide a volume of the predetermined material to form a subsequent layer for hardening, so the layering device and the single curing device perform respectively curing and layering simultaneously on layers from different ophthalmic devices.

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.

Provided is an optical component or the like having a stealth mark that is invisible under visible light and is visible under light of a predetermined wavelength. An optical component includes a stealth mark that is invisible under the visible light and visible under the predetermined wavelength, and the stealth mark includes an impregnated region formed from a fluorescent coloring material, and the stealth mark is integrated into the optical component such that an outermost surface of the stealth mark is flush with a surface of the optical component.

A real-time calculation system capable of computing the industrial optical performance and yields of a prescription laboratory is disclosed. The system uses statistical analysis to determine the compensation factors that can be applied to given products, Semi-Finish, materials, or lens designs to increase the lab yields. Using a monitoring and configuration system, the user tracks the evolution of the laboratory's performance and identifies areas in which yields are impacted. The user defines how the calculation system will optimize the laboratory's performance, such as by defining how the compensation factors will be calculated and applied.

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.

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.