Lens Machining Machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a machining machine for lenses, which comprises a first workpiece drive, configured as the transport receptacle and having a workpiece spindle, a workpiece changer for exchanging workpieces between the workpiece drive and a workpiece stock, and a machining station for machining a workpiece. The workpiece spindle of the workpiece drive can be rotated about an axis of rotation (c1). The workpiece drive can be swiveled about a first swiveling axis (b1) which is arranged at a right angle to the axis of rotation (c1). The work piece drive can be rotated about an axis of rotation (k) which is arranged at a right angle to the first swiveling axis (b1). The machining machine according to the invention is characterized in that at least one further workpiece drive is provided and has a spindle that can be rotated about a respective axis of rotation (c1, c2). Both workpiece drives can be swiveled about a first swiveling axis (b1, b2) which is arranged at a right angle to the respective axis of rotation (c1, c2). Both workpiece drives can be displaced and driven in a translatory manner about a translatory axis of displacement (x1, x2) which is arranged at a right angle to the first swiveling axis (b1, b2). Both workpiece drives can be rotated together about the axis of rotation (k).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional benefits and details of the invention are explained in the claims and in the specification and represented in the drawings. These show:

FIG. 1, a perspective representation of the polishing machine with workpiece drive, polishing unit, and workpiece changer;

FIG. 2, the polishing machine per FIG. 1 with washing station lifted;

FIG. 3, the machining machine of FIG. 1 with the workpiece drive in the position above the polishing station and tool changer in the change position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A machining machine as represented in FIG. 1 and configured as a polishing machine 1 has a conveyor belt 3 for optical lenses or workpiece boxes 3.1-3.1″, by which the transport boxes 3.1-3.1″ are delivered to a pair of workpiece changers 2.1, 2.1′ of the polishing machine 1. The respective workpiece changer 2.1, 2.1′ is configured as a swivel arm, which can swivel 180° about a swivel axis s. At the free end of the respective swivel arm 2.1, 2.1′ there is provided a suction cup 2.2, 2.2′ to receive a workpiece, or lens. The suction cup 2.2, 2.2′ is connected via pneumatic lines (not shown) to a low pressure receiver or pump (not shown). In order to pick up the lenses or pass the lenses on, the workpiece changer 2.1, 2.1′ furthermore has a linear guide able to travel in the direction of a respective lowering axis n1, n2, not further represented, by which the two swivel arms 2.1, 2.1′ can move essentially in the vertical direction, perpendicular to the swivel axis s. To pick up a pair of lenses, starting from position P1 of FIG. 1, the two swivel arms 2.1, 2.1′ are swiveled 180° into a position P2 (not shown) and then brought to bear against the lenses being picked up in the direction of the lowering axis n1, n2. After generating the necessary vacuum by means of the above-mentioned low pressure receiver (not shown), or certain pneumatic valves, the two swivel arms 2.1, 2.1′ are swiveled 180° into their starting position W1, as depicted, so that the lenses picked up can then be grabbed by a workpiece drive 4a, 4b at their block piece arranged on one side and not further depicted. The conveyor belt 3 and the workpiece changers 2.1, 2.1′ are located in the region of one sidewall 1.1 of the polishing machine 1. The polishing machine 1 is bounded by four sidewalls, of which one end wall 1.2 forms the front enclosure in FIG. 1.

Inside the polishing machine 1, in the region of this front end wall 1.2, a polishing station 5 is provided. Roughly in the middle of the polishing machine 1 are provided two workpiece drives 4a, 4b, being mounted by a common swivel unit, configured as a swivel plate 4.5, with a common swivel column 4.6 inside the polishing machine. In addition, in the region of the sidewall 1.1, beneath the workpiece changer 2.1, 2.1′, there is provided a washing station 7, which can be moved vertically and positioned in the direction of a lifting axis h by means of a drive, not further represented.

The swivel plate 4.5 with the two workpiece drives 4a, 4b can be swiveled via the swivel column 4.6, starting from position A1 of the workpiece drives 4a, 4b in the region of the workpiece changer 2.1, 2.1′ through 90° into a position A2 per FIG. 3. In this position A2, the two workpiece drives 4a, 4b are positioned directly above the polishing station 5. This swivel motion occurs about a turning axis k, while the swivel column 4.6 or swivel plate 4.5 is additionally able to move vertically in the direction of a lifting axis w and be positioned in parallel with the turning axis k.

On the swivel plate 4.5 are situated two translatory carriages 4.4, 4.4′ for the respective workpiece drive 4a, 4b. The respective translatory carriage 4.4, 4.4′ is moved in translatory motion and positioned in the direction of a displacement axis x1, x2 by a circulating ball spindle (not shown). This translatory motion occurs separately and independently for both translatory carriages 4.4, 4.4′. On the respective translatory carriage 4.4, 4.4′ is located a swivel motor 4.3, 4.3′, on which a cranked swivel arm 4.7, 4.7′ is arranged and able to swivel. The swivel motor 4.3, 4.3′ has a swivel axis b1, b2 arranged at right angles to the displacement axis x1, x2, so that the swivel arm 4.7, 4.7′ and thus the workpiece drive 4a, 4b arranged on it can be placed in pendulum motion about said swivel axis b1, b2.

At the free end of the swivel arm 4.7, 4.7′, there is arranged the respective workpiece drive 4a, 4b with a respective workpiece spindle 4.1, 4.1′ able to turn about an axis of rotation c1, c2. The workpiece spindle 4.1, 4.1′ has a chuck for the workpiece or for a block piece of a lens (not shown). The axis of rotation c1, c2 is arranged essentially vertical in the starting position and at right angles to the respective displacement axis x1, x2, disregarding the swivel motion about the respective swivel axis b1, b2.

The lowering axis n1, n2 of the workpiece changer 2.1, 2.1′ as well as the lifting axis w of the workpiece drives 4a, 4b are arranged in parallel, so that a combined and thus very fast movement in the direction of the respective axes is possible for purposes of handing off the lenses or the workpiece.

After hand-off of the lenses, the two workpiece drives 4a, 4b are swiveled together by the swivel column 4.6 into position A1 above the polishing station 5 per FIG. 3.

The polishing station 5 has two polishing units, each with a polishing plate 5a, 5b. The respective polishing plate 5a, 5b can turn about a polishing axis p1, p2 and can move telescopically and with air cushioning in the direction of a respective telescopic axis z1, z2, coaxially to the polishing axes p1, p2, via a telescopic drive (not further depicted), and thereby be brought up against the workpiece. In order to seal the respective polishing plate 5.1, 5.1′ and provide for necessary coordination of the polishing motion and the telescopic motion, the respective polishing unit 5a, 5b has a bellows 5.2, 5.2′. The bellows 5.2, 5.2′ has at its upper end an opening to receive the respective workpiece drive 4a, 4b, which after descending into the respective polishing unit 5a, 5b is tightly sealed off by the bellows 5.2, 5.2′. During the polishing process, the pressing force of the polishing plate 5a, 5b can be raised or lowered in the direction of the respective telescopic axis z1, z2 in order to thereby control the polishing process. Moreover, the respective workpiece drive 4a, 4b and the respective tool spindle 4.1, 4.1′ can be swiveled about the respective swivel axis b1, b2 via the swivel motor 4.3, 4.3′. This makes it possible to adjust the setting of the angular position between the polishing plate 5a, 5b with the respective tool 5.1, 5.1′ and the workpiece. In addition, the respective workpiece drive 4a, 4b can be moved via the respective translatory carriage 4.4, 4.4′ in the direction of the displacement axis x1, x2 in sideways direction to the respective polishing plate 5a, 5b. It should be noted that, based on FIG. 1, all axes of the workpiece drive 4a, 4b, i.e., the axis of rotation c1, c2, the swivel axis b1, b2 and the displacement axis x1, x2 are turned 90° about the turning axis k.

The polishing station 5 and the respective polishing unit 5a, 5b is coordinated with a tool changer 6a, 6b. The tool changer 6a, 6b can be moved and positioned horizontally in the direction of a transport axis t1, essentially in translatory motion, and also moved and positioned by translatory movement essentially in the vertical direction, by means of an exchange axis a1, a2. At the particular free end of the tool changer 6a, 6b there is provided a tool gripper 6.2, 6.2′, used to secure and release the particular tool 5.1, 5.1′.

According to sample embodiment 1, a common tool changer 6 is provided for both polishing plates 5a, 5b, which can be moved and positioned via a common transport axis t1 and a common exchange axis a1, and it has at its free end a tool gripper 6.2, 6.2′ for each polishing plate 5a, 5b. According to the sample embodiment in FIG. 3, a separate tool changer 6a, 6b is provided for each polishing plate 5a, 5b, and both tool changers 6a, 6b can be moved and positioned independently of each other in the direction of the transport axis t1, t2 and in the direction of the exchange axis a1, a2. The tool gripper 6.2 is located directly on a tool drum 6.1, while the tool gripper 6.2′ is arranged directly above the polishing plate 5.1′.

In both sample embodiments, the respective tool gripper 6.2, 6.2′ is coordinated with a tool magazine or a tool drum 6.1, 6.1′, which has several tools 5.1, 5.1′ in stock, distributed about its circumference. The respective tool drum 6.1, 6.1′ is arranged so that it can turn and its lower end (not further depicted) can plunge into a liquid container, not further depicted. By rotation of the respective tool drum 6.1, 6.1′, the tools contained in the tool drum 6.1, 6.1′ are thus wetted as needed.

After the polishing of the lenses, the swivel column 4.6 with the two workpiece drives 4a, 4b swivels to the starting position Al of FIGS. 1 and 2. Per FIG. 2, the tool changer 2.1, 2.1′ is located in its position W2 immediately above the conveyor belt 3. For the washing of the lenses, the washing station 7 starting from its lowered position S travels upward in the direction of the lifting axis h, so that the lenses can be dipped into the washing station 7 via the workpiece drives 4a, 4b and the lifting axis w in combination with the lifting motion in the direction of the lifting axis h. In the washing station 7, the lenses are sprinkled off and then spun dry via the workpiece drive 4a, 4b.

After the washing, the washing station 7 travels to its lower starting position S per FIG. 1, while the workpiece changer 2.1, 2.1′ likewise swivels 180° to its receiving position W1 per FIG. 1, travels in the direction of its lowering axis n1, n2 for removal of the finished lenses, and then picks up the finished lenses via the two suction cups 2.2, 2.2′ and hands them off to the conveyor belt 3.

List of Reference Numbers

• 1. Machining machine, polishing machine
• 1.1 Sidewall
• 1.2 End wall
• 2.1 Workpiece changer, swivel arm
• 2.1′ Workpiece changer, swivel arm
• 2.2 Suction cup
• 2.2′ Suction cup
• 3 Workpiece stock, conveyor belt
• 3.1 Transport box with workpiece
• 3.1′ Transport box with workpiece
• 3.1″ Transport box with workpiece
• 4 a Workpiece drive, transport receptacle
• 4 b Workpiece drive, transport receptacle
• 4.1 Tool spindle
• 4.1′ Tool spindle
• 4.3 Swivel motor
• 4.3′ Swivel motor
• 4.4 Translatory carriage
• 4.4′ Translatory carriage
• 4.5 Swivel plate, swivel unit
• 4.6 Swivel column
• 4.7 Swivel arm
• 4.7′ Swivel arm
• 5 Machining station, polishing station
• 5 a Polishing unit, polishing plate
• 5 b Polishing unit, polishing plate
• 5.1 Tool, polishing plate
• 5.1′ Tool, polishing plate
• 5.2 Bellows
• 5.2′ Bellows
• 6 Tool changer
• 6 a Tool changer
• 6 b Tool changer
• 6.1 Tool magazine, tool drum
• 6.1′ Tool magazine, tool drum
• 6.2 Tool gripper
• 6.2′ Tool gripper
• 7 Washing station
• 7.1 Washing place
• 7.1′ Washing place
• A1 Position of swivel unit
• A2 Position of swivel unit
• S Position of washing station
• W1 Position of workpiece changer
• W2 Position of workpiece changer
• c1 Axis of rotation
• c2 Axis of rotation
• b1 First swivel axis
• b2 First swivel axis
• k Turning axis
• w Lifting axis w
• x1 Displacement axis
• x2 Displacement axis
• z1 Telescopic axis
• z2 Telescopic axis
• s Swivel axis
• n1 Lowering axis
• n2 Lowering axis
• p1 Polishing axis
• p2 Polishing axis
• t1 Transport axis
• t2 Transport axis
• a1 Exchange axis
• a2 Exchange axis
• h Lifting axis

Claims

1. A machining machine for lenses comprising: a first workpiece drive configured as a transport receptacle, with a workpiece spindle, a workpiece changer for exchanging workpieces between the workpiece drive and a workpiece stock, and a machining station for machining a workpiece, wherein a) the workpiece spindle of the workpiece drive can rotate about an axis of rotation (c1),b) the workpiece drive can swivel about a first swivel axis (b1) arranged at right angle to the axis of rotation (c1) andc) the workpiece drive can turn about a turning axis (k) arranged at right angles to the first swivel axis (b1),wherein at least one second workpiece drive is provided andd) the second workpiece drive has a spindle which can turn about an axis of rotation (c1, c2),e) both workpiece drives can swivel about a first swivel axis (b1, b2) arranged at right angles to the respective axis of rotation (c1, c2), andf) both workpiece drives can turn together about the turning axis (k).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece drives have a common translatory lifting axis (w), arranged in parallel with the swivel axis (k), being mounted and driven to move in its direction.

3. The device per claim 1, wherein two workpiece changers are provided and each of the workpiece changers can swivel about a swivel axis (s) arranged at right angles to a lifting axis (w) between a position W1 beneath the workpiece drive and at least one position W2 above the workpiece stock and is driven in translatory motion in the direction of a lowering axis (n1, n2) arranged in parallel with the lifting axis (w).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece can be transported by the workpiece changer between a position beneath the workpiece drive and a position above the workpiece stock and can be swiveled through 180° in this process.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the machining station is configured as a polishing station and has at least two polishing plates, each of which are driven and guided to turn about a polishing axis (p1, p2) and move in the direction of a translatory telescopic axis (z1, z2), arranged in parallel with the polishing axis (p1, p2).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the respective polishing plate has an air-cushioned telescopic drive, able to turn about the polishing axis (p1, p2) and move in the direction of the telescopic axis (z1, z2), while the polishing plate is connected via a bellows and a universal joint to the polishing axis (p1, p2).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the telescopic drives of the polishing plates have a common motor and are connected to it via a traction means, such as a poly-V-belt.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the polishing plates are each coordinated with a tool changer or a common tool changer, having at least one tool magazine for polishing tools.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the tool changer is driven and can move in the direction of a translatory transport axis (t1, t2) arid in the direction of a translatory exchange axis (a1, a2), arranged at right angles to this.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the tool magazine is configured as a revolving drum, and the drum is coordinated with a liquid container, by which at least a part of the tool can be wetted with liquid by the turning of the drum.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the tool magazine has a quick locking element for securing to the particular turning axis and a securing element determining the relative position within the machine.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein a washing station is provided with at least two washing places, which can be brought into a position S underneath the workpiece drive.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the washing station can move in translatory motion in the direction of a lifting axis (h).

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece spindle is connected to a swivel motor having the first swivel axis (b1, b2), wherein the swivel motor is arranged via a translatory carriage having the displacement axis (x1, x2) on a common swivel unit having the turning axis (k), which can swivel about the turning axis (k) between a position A1 in the region of the workpiece changer and a position A2 in the region of the machining station.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the respective translatory carriage can move via a circulating ball spindle in the direction of the translatory axis and the circulating ball spindle is driven via a toothed belt, while both translatory carriages have a common or a separate guide rail.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spindle drive is configured as a continuous direct drive.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the swivel unit is configured as a swivel plate and is driven to turn about the turning axis (k) by a swivel arm with a lift cylinder.

18. A method for operating a machining machine according to claim 2, wherein at least the lifting motion in the direction of the lifting axis (w) and the swivel motion about the turning axis (k) occurs in common for both tool drives.

19. A method for operating a machining machine according to claim 1, wherein the individual motion sequence of the two swivel axes (b1, b2) and the two displacement axes (x1, x2) is attuned while machining the lenses, so as to avoid a collision of the spindles.

20. A method for operating a machining machine according to claim 8, wherein a) the tool magazine is detached for removal from the machining machine and kept outside in liquid for wetting;b) the tool magazine is installed in the machine and fastened with regard to the definite position.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein both workpiece drives are driven in translatory motion and can each move in the direction of a translatory axis of displacement (x1, x2), arranged at right angles to the first swivel axis (b1, b2).