A core support system includes a support structure. The support structure includes a frame and a support member having a saturatable engagement layer disposed over the frame. A method of machining a core material includes applying a fluid to an engagement layer of a support structure and saturating the engagement layer with the fluid, disposing a core material on the engagement layer, causing the fluid to freeze to secure to the core material to the support structure, machining the core material, melting the frozen fluid to release the core material from the support structure, and removing the core material from the engagement layer.

Methods involving adding a removable fixating material to a partially manufactured workpiece to stabilize a plurality of partially formed objects therein for subsequent manufacturing. In one example, valleys are formed in a workpiece between adjacent partially formed objects so that interconnecting portions remain to interconnect the partially formed objects. Then, the removable fixating material is installed in the valleys, and once the removable fixating material has hardened, the workpiece is further processed to at least remove the interconnecting portions. In some embodiments, a mold is used to install the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a prefabricated temporary frame is used for installing the removable fixating material into the workpiece. In some embodiments, a temporary frame is formed from the workpiece along with the plurality of objects during manufacturing.

The present invention proposes an in-situ freezing machining method for an integrated thin-walled array structure. In the method, the area among cups is cut off first; then, the outer walls of a cup array are machined; and finally, water filling and freezing are carried out, and in-situ freezing machining of the inner walls of the cup array is carried out. Then, hoisting and turning over are carried out, and the area among cavities is cut off; then, the outer walls of a cavity array are machined; and finally, water filling and freezing are carried out, and in-situ freezing machining of the inner walls of the cavity array is carried out. The method realizes in-situ freezing clamping of workpieces, avoids error accumulation caused by repeated installation of a fixture, and can refrigerate efficiently, suppress ambient and cutting thermal interference, and ensure the stability of freezing fixture.

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.

The present invention proposes an in-situ freezing machining method for an integrated thin-walled array structure. In the method, the area among cups is cut off first; then, the outer walls of a cup array are machined; and finally, water filling and freezing are carried out, and in-situ freezing machining of the inner walls of the cup array is carried out. Then, hoisting and turning over are carried out, and the area among cavities is cut off; then, the outer walls of a cavity array are machined; and finally, water filling and freezing are carried out, and in-situ freezing machining of the inner walls of the cavity array is carried out. The method realizes in-situ freezing clamping of workpieces, avoids error accumulation caused by repeated installation of a fixture, and can refrigerate efficiently, suppress ambient and cutting thermal interference, and ensure the stability of freezing fixture.

A core support system includes a support structure. The support structure includes a frame and a support member having a saturatable engagement layer disposed over the frame. A method of machining a core material incudes applying a fluid to an engagement layer of a support structure and saturating the engagement layer with the fluid, disposing a core material on the engagement layer, causing the fluid to freeze to secure to the core material to the support structure, machining the core material, melting the frozen fluid to release the core material from the support structure, and removing the core material from the engagement layer.

A method of: (i) providing a mould, comprising a mould body and a mould cavity; (ii) positioning the workpiece within the mould cavity; (iii) providing a plurality of part locator rods, each rod being located in the mould body and protruding into the mould cavity, a distal end of each rod abutting against an outer surface of the workpiece; (iv) providing a fluid, the fluid filling a void defined between an outer surface of the workpiece and an internal surface of the mould cavity; (v) cooling the mould, workpiece and fluid to below a freezing point of the fluid; (vi) removing the workpiece encapsulated in frozen fluid, from the cavity, with the rods protruding from outer surface of frozen fluid; (vii) securing the encapsulated workpiece on a machine tool; and (viii) using the protruding part locator rods to position the workpiece on the machine tool in readiness for machining operation.

A workholding device for positioning a workpiece on a machining equipment, comprising a sacrificial support for supporting the workpiece, a workpiece holding layer formed of a curable material applied onto the sacrificial support, a curable material collector, a curing processing unit which comprises a controller and a curing rate regulator, and a bearing assembly for supporting the sacrificial support, the curable material collector and the curing processing unit, wherein the curable material is a solid which is viscous before curing and elastic after curing and has a melting point above 1000? C.

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.

There is provided an adjustable part holding fixture, system and method. The fixture has a base assembly with a container and a phase change material contained within the container. The fixture has a control device to convert the phase change material between a non-rigid state and a rigid state. The fixture has a plurality of part holding assemblies, each having a base anchoring portion for insertion into and positioning in the phase change material, and a part attachment portion configured to releasably attach to a surface of a part being held by the fixture. The phase change material in the non-rigid state allows for positioning of the base anchoring portion and adjusting to the part being held, and the phase change material in the rigid state holds the base anchoring portion in a desired position and holds the part in place during one or more processes performed on the part.