CNC MACHINE FOR SPECTACLE GLASS EDGING

Field of Invention

The present novel invention relates to the field of Mechanical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (i.e. 4-Axis CNC Machine), more particularly the present novel invention relates to the CNC Machine for spectacle glass cutting and edging having innovative scanning system and unique design of Multi-Functional tool that performs multiple operations in single machine like:- Cutting, V-groove, Supra-Groove, Chamfer, Zig-Zag Cutting, Drilling, Border finishing and Engraving to making spectacle glass with computer implemented program that offer minimum human intervention, time and energy saving, less noisy and precise operation, and no dependency in terms of in-house or out sourcing.

Background of Invention

Spectacles play a crucial role in enhancing vision, promoting eye health, and improving overall quality of life for those with vision problems. Regular eye check-ups with optometrists or ophthalmologists are essential to ensure that individuals have the appropriate prescription and the right type of spectacles to suit their needs.

In the spectacles industry, various types of machinery and equipment are used to produce eyeglasses efficiently and with high precision. These machines help in the different stages of manufacturing, from lens cutting and shaping to frame design and assembly. Here are some common types of machinery used in the spectacles industry.

• Lens cutting machines: These machines are used to cut lenses from blanks made of glass or various types of plastics. The machines use computer-controlled precision cutting tools to ensure accurate shapes and sizes according to the prescription or design. • Lens edging machine: After cutting the lenses, edging machines are used to smoothen and polish the lens edges to eliminate any sharpness and provide a comfortable fit in the frame.

• Lens shaping machine: These machines can be used to shape lenses into specific curves or designs, especially for specialized lenses used in sunglasses or sports eyewear.

All of these operations mostly done by manually and/or semi-automatic machine, which consume more space and time, in addition, accuracy is also compromised due to more human intervention.

The level of automation and machinery used can vary depending on the scale and capabilities of the eyewear manufacturing company (optician/optical shops). Larger companies may invest in advanced, automated machinery, while smaller operations might rely on more manual processes for certain steps.

Automatic machines are also available in the market, but it is more expensive, heavy in weight and bigger in size, operation cost is also high, which cannot affordable by most of the Opticians. Some drawbacks of traditional system are such that cutting and edging operations, opticians generally use 5 to 7 different machines for different types of operations to completely making spectacle glasses and skilled person is required to complete the job, it has more rejection ratio, higher energy consumption (5 to 7 machines), and more maintenance (5 to 7 machines).

An invention disclosed in patent application number CN106865966A discloses a novel automatic precision glass cutting machine capable of completing glass cutting operation. The novel automatic precision glass cutting machine mainly comprises an X-directional motor, an X- directional lead screw, an X-directional guide rail, a Y-directional motor, a Y-directional lead screw, a Y-directional guide rail, a cutting head, a knife bridge, a workbench, an X-directional slide cart, a Y-directional lead screw, a Y-directional slide cart, a rolling bearing and a CCD photographing system, wherein glass to be cut is fixed on the workbench of the machine by adopting a vacuum adsorption method; and by considering the specification and dimension of a liquid crystal substrate, the workbench is also provided with different zones. The cutting head with a diamond knife pulley is controlled by a program to move respectively along an X direction and a Y direction so as to cut the substrate, the cutting head can also move along the X direction on the knife bridge, the X-directional lead screw is driven by the X-directional motor, and then the cutting head is driven by a screw nut to make rectilinear movement along the X-directional guide rail; and the novel automatic precision glass cutting machine has the characteristics of high working efficiency, convenience in operation, simple structure, high cutting precision and the like.

An invention disclosed in patent application number CN208811759U discloses a novel glass cutting and edging device, including a base, base is of cuboid structure, the upper end of the base is slidably connected with a sliding plate through a sliding groove. The upper end of the sliding plate is rotationally connected with an electric sucker through a bearing; the front end of the base is fixedly connected with a reciprocating seat; a reciprocating screw rod is rotationally connected into the reciprocating seat; the glass polishing device has the advantages that the upper end of the sliding plate is fixedly connected with the electric sucker through the bearing, the reciprocating motor drives the polishing motor through the reciprocating block interval, and therefore when glass is polished, the polishing motor can effectively reciprocate on one side of the reciprocating base, rapid polishing of corners of the glass is achieved, and the machining efficiency is effectively improved.

The present novel invention provides solution of cutting and edging problems in the field of spectacle glasses by incorporating all of these operations in a single machine which is automatically controlled by computer implemented program, which requires very less space compared to conventional machine(s). It is very fast in machining process to complete the job and it completes the job very precisely and peacefully as it requires minimum human interventions. Previous-art is mostly using grinding method to make spectacle glass, which consumes more energy and time. Also, major disadvantage of grinding method is glass/work- piece may rotate some degree +/- at grinding process and changes axis/angle of cylindrical powered glass. The present invention is working on cutting method instead of grinding, so it is faster than prior art and it requires less energy and time. This invention also saves time, energy and money. Further, it is compact in size so it will save space and less noisy so it will reduce sound pollution. Further, it is controlled by computer implemented program, so it works very precisely. Also, this invention can perform all the operations to make spectacle glass, with minimum human interfere, so it is minimum chance of error.

This present novel invention provides integration of 3-axis/dimensional scanning and cutting and edging process with use of multi-functional tool in a single machine with use of in-house developed computer implemented program. This novel invention is integration of 3- axis/dimensional scanning (demo glass/ frame) and cutting/edging process in single machine. This novel invention provides 3-axis scanning procedure.

A. Scanner-Si (periphery scanner) performs scanning of demo-glass/frame periphery,

B. Scanner -S2 performs scan top surface of work-piece at periphery.

C. Scanner -S3 performs scan bottom surface of work-piece at periphery.

This present novel invention is unique design and concept of multi-functional tool which performs all operations like Cutting Operation, Chamfer, V-Groove, Supra-Groove, Drilling, and Engraving.

Objective of Invention

• The principal objective of the present novel invention is to provide integration of 3- axis/dimensional scanning and cutting & edging process with use of multi-functional tool in a single machine with computer implemented program to work very precisely and performs job with minimum human interventions and minimum error.

• Further objective of the present novel invention is to provide unique design and concept of Multi-functional tool which performs all operations like: Cutting, V-groove, SupraGroove, Chamfer, Zig-Zag Cutting, Border Finishing and Engraving. • Further objective of the present novel invention is to provide cutting method instead of grinding, so it is faster and requires less energy and time.

• Further objective of the present novel invention is that it is compact in size so it will save space.

• Further objective of the present novel invention is to provide less noisy or silent operation.

• Still another objective of the present novel invention is to provide precision in work with faster operation.

Summary

In the field of spectacle glass for cutting/edging operations, opticians are generally use 5 to 7 different machines for different types of operations to completely making spectacles. Spectacles making operations like drilling, cutting, V-groove, Supra groove, chamfer, Zig-Zag cutting, engraving. All of these operations mostly done by manually and/or semi-automatic machine which consume more space and time and also not precise every time. The present novel invention is solution to the field of spectacle glass cutting/edging operations with use of multifunctional tool. The present novel invention provides all operations in single machine which is automatically controlled by computer implemented program. It is compact in size and light weight hence it requires very less space compared to conventional machine(s). It is very fast in machining process to complete the job so it saves time and energy as well. This invention completes the job very precisely and peacefully. It's also very cost effective.

List of Drawings

Figure 1: Machine assembly (without outer body/cover)

Figure 2: Rotary assembly and clamping assembly with Spectacle Glass Job

Figure 3: Glass job clamping assembly and its parts Figure 4: Glass job rotary assembly and its parts

Figure 5: Multi-functional tool

Figure 6: Cutting and edging operations by Multi-Functional Tool on Spectacle Glass Job

Figure 7: Assembly with Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI)

Figure 8: Assembly with Sensor-S2-Top Surface Z (S2) and Sensor-S3-Bottom Surface Z (S3)

List of Components

101. Machine Base

102. Z-Axis Assembly

103. X-Axis Assembly

104. Y-Axis Assembly

105. Spindle Motor

107. Controller/Control panel

108. Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI)

109. Sensor-S2-Top Surface Z (S2)

110. Sensor-S3-Bottom Surface Z (S3)

111. Glass Job Clamping Assembly

111-1. Motor with Screw (Linear Vertical Axis)

111-2. Cover Cum Guide

111-3. Glass Job Clamping Arm

111-4. Glass Holding Clamp

112. Spectacle Glass Job

113. Glass Job Rotary Assembly

113-1. Glass Holding Clamp for Rotary

113-2. Coupling for Rotary Motor and Clamp

113-3. Rotary Motor

114. Multi-Functional Tool Detailed Description of Invention

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and wherein like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to like elements.

The present novel invention CNC Machine for Spectacle Glass Edging provides Machine Base (101), Z-Axis Assembly (102), X-Axis Assembly (103), Y-Axis Assembly (104), Spindle Motor (105), Controller/Control panel (107), Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108), Sensor-S2-Top Surface Z (S2) (109), Sensor-S3-Bottom Surface Z (S3) (110), Glass Job Clamping Assembly (111), Motor with Screw (Linear Vertical Axis) (111-1), Cover Cum Guide (111-2), Glass Job Clamping Arm (111-3), Glass Holding Clamp (111-4), Spectacle Glass Job (112), Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113), Glass Holding Clamp for Rotary (113-1), Coupling for Rotary Motor and Clamp (113-2), Rotary Motor (113-3), and Multi-Functional Tool (114) as shown in figure 1.

To begin with the process, the user is required to start with Power button on, the present novel (machine/system) asks to load demo or select pre saved file from the system/library. The library has the previously saved data (if any). If user has previous data of the workpiece, then workpiece is to be placed directly after selecting the suitable data from library on the Programmed Display unit of the machine.

If user load demo on Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113), it has to be set as center alignment with glass holding clamp (111-4), and clamp it with Glass Job Clamping Assembly (111) as shown in figure 2 and figure 3. The present novel system starts scanning by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108). The said Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108) collects periphery data of the demo glass/profile and save it at selected path of library/system.

After the scanning process completes by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108), one has to remove demo glass (if demo glass is loaded) or job. One has to load Spectacle Glass Job (112) at the center of Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) and clamp it with Glass Job Clamping Assembly (111). The said Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) has sub parts such as Glass Holding Clamp for Rotary (113-1), Coupling for Rotary Motor and Clamp (113-2), Rotary Motor (113-3) as shown in figure 4. Controller/Control panel (107) of the computer numerically controlled (CNC) devices that control machines and processes.

Scanning process

Scanning Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108) moves in x-axis direction by X-Axis Assembly (103) and takes position at the same as Spectacle Glass Job (112) center or Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113). Then the said Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) moves towards Scanning Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108) in y axis direction by y axis assembly (104) to touch the Scanning Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108). The path is decided or can be pre-set by the user. Now, Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) starts rotating 0° to 360° and Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108) can touch the complete profile or periphery of the workpiece/demo glass, this process collects micro point data of the said periphery and generate cloud point data or single 2D drawing of periphery (of demo glass) as shown in figure 7. System/user can save it (data/file) at desired path in system/library (user can use this data/file to perform same operation in future for same job).

Now remove demo glass and load Spectacle Glass Job (112) at the center of Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113). One has to put job piece center on Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113), Centre aligned with Glass holding clamp (111-4).

Sensor-S2-Top Surface Z (S2) (109) scans data from the Spectacle Glass Job (112) by moving on the top surface of the same. Sensor-S2-Top Surface Z (S2) (109) will move on the path which was saved by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108) or selected path from library or system. The path is periphery of demo glass. It will collect data of z axis co-ordinates on periphery from the top surface of the Spectacle Glass Job (112).

Sensor-S3-Bottom Surface Z (S3) (110) scans data from bottom surface of the Spectacle Glass Job (112) to collect data of z axis co-ordinates at the periphery of the job. For this operation, Sensor- S3-Bottom Surface Z (S3) (110) will move on the path which is either selected from library/system or saved by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108) as shown in figure 8. Both data of top surface of z axis co-ordinates and bottom surface of z axis co-ordinates from Spectacle Glass Job (112) are saved in the system. (This data will further be useful to perform edging operation).

The present novel invention provides such flexibility as the operation of Sensor-S2-Top Surface Z (S2) (109) and Sensor-S3-Bottom Surface Z (S3) (110) can do before or after cutting operation.

Now cutting operation starts by Multifunctional cutting tool (114), in which the Spectacle Glass Job (112) periphery is cut as per saved data from the path which was either selected from library/system or saved by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108). After cutting periphery of the Spectacle Glass Job (112) by multifunctional cutting tool (114), other edging operations like "champhar", "v-groove", "supra-groove", "drilling" takes place according to frame type (full frame/half frame (supra frame)/ream less (frameless frame)) as shown in figure 6.

Then system starts working on next step of edging operations as mentioned below, the said operations are carried out by single multifunctional cutting tool (114) as shown in figure 5, wherein its size and shape as well as position sequence can be changed and any one or more can be removed from the said multifunctional cutting tool (114), as per user requirement, and is not restricted and is to be considered within the scope of the present invention.

A. Cutting operation

B. Chamfer

C. V-grow

D. Supra-groove

E. Drilling

User can do all of these operations from right side to left side or left side to right side by mirroring the image, if user need, the said user can set offset also. Each spectacle glass edging operations are elaborated herein;

Cutting operation

1. The novel machine sets Spindle motor (105) at x axis zero position.

2. The novel machine sets z axis position of Multifunctional cutting tool (114) for cutting operation from saved data which was either selected from li bra ry/sy stem or saved by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108).

3. Spindle motor (105) Starts operation.

4. Glass job rotary assembly (113) and Glass job clamping assembly (111) with Spectacle Glass Job (112) move towards Multifunctional cutting tool (114) in y-axis direction at rapid speed.

5. User can set offset for cutting speed and feed rate for safe distance from Spectacle Glass Job (112) according to the requirement.

6. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) will start once multifunctional tool (114) will take position at periphery as per data.

7. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) can rotate 0° to 360° or 360° to 0° both side (right to left or left to right).

8. Y axis assembly (104) comes to its zero position now.

9. Spindle motor (105) Stops.

Chamfer operation (top edge)

1. The machine sets Spindle motor (105) at x axis zero position.

2. The machine sets z axis position of Multifunctional cutting tool (114) for cutting operation from saved data which was either selected from libra ry/sy stem or saved by Sensor-Sl- Periphery (SI) (108).

3. Spindle motor (105) Starts operation.

4. Glass job rotary assembly (113) and Glass job clamping assembly (111) with Spectacle Glass Job (112) move towards Multifunctional cutting tool (114) in y-axis direction at rapid speed. 5. User can set offset for cutting speed and feed rate for safe distance from Spectacle Glass Job (112) according to the requirement.

6. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) will start once multifunctional tool (114) will take position at periphery as per data.

7. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) can rotate 0° to 360° or 360° to 0° both side (right to left or left to right).

8. Y axis assembly (104) comes to its zero position now.

9. Spindle motor (105) Stops.

Chamfer operation (bottom edge)

1. The machine sets Spindle motor (105) at x axis zero position.

2. The machine sets z axis position of Multifunctional cutting tool (114) for cutting operation from saved data which was either selected from library/system or saved by Sensor-Sl- Periphery (SI) (108).

3. Spindle motor (105) Starts operation.

4. Glass job rotary assembly (113) and Glass job clamping assembly (111) with Spectacle Glass Job (112) move towards Multifunctional cutting tool (114) in y-axis direction at rapid speed.

5. User can set offset for cutting speed and feed rate for safe distance from Spectacle Glass Job (112) according to the requirement.

6. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) will start once multifunctional tool (114) will take position at periphery as per data.

7. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) can rotate 0° to 360° or 360° to 0° both side (right to left or left to right).

8. Y axis assembly (104) comes to its zero position now.

9. Spindle motor (105) Stops.

V-groove operation

1. The machine sets Spindle motor (105) at X axis zero position. 2. Machine Computer implemented program sets z axis Position of Multifunctional cutting tool (114) for v-groove operation from saved data which was either selected from library or system or saved by scanner Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108).

3. User can also set offset from top surface data.

4. Now spindle motor (105) Starts.

5. Glass job rotary assembly (113) and Glass job clamping assembly (111) with Spectacle Glass Job (112) move towards Multifunctional cutting tool (114) in y-axis direction at rapid speed.

6. User can set offset for cutting speed and feed rate for safe distance from Spectacle Glass Job (112) according to the requirement.

7. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) will start once multifunctional tool (114) will take position at periphery as per data.

8. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) can rotate 0° to 360° or 360° to 0° both side (right to left or left to right).

9. Y axis assembly (104) comes to its zero position now.

10. Spindle motor (105) Stops.

Supra-groove operation

1. The machine sets Spindle motor (105) at X axis zero position.

2. Machine Computer implemented program sets z axis Position of Multifunctional cutting tool (114) for Supra-groove operation from saved data which was either selected from library or system or saved by scanner Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108).

3. User can also set offset from top surface data.

4. Now spindle motor (105) Starts.

5. Glass job rotary assembly (113) and Glass job clamping assembly (111) with Spectacle Glass Job (112) move towards Multifunctional cutting tool (114) in y-axis direction at rapid speed.

6. User can set offset for cutting speed and feed rate for safe distance from Spectacle Glass Job (112) according to the requirement. 7. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) will start once multifunctional tool (114) will take position at periphery as per data.

8. Glass Job Rotary Assembly (113) can rotate 0° to 360° or 360° to 0° both side (right to left or left to right).

9. Y axis assembly (104) comes to its zero position now.

10. Spindle motor (105) Stops.

Drilling operation

1. The machine sets Spindle motor (105) at X axis zero position.

2. Glass job rotary assembly (113) and Glass job clamping assembly (111) with Spectacle Glass Job (112) move towards Multifunctional cutting tool (114) in y-axis direction at rapid speed.

3. Machine Computer implemented program will set z axis position of Multifunctional tool (114) for drilling operation from saved data which was either selected from library or system or saved by Sensor-Si-Periphery (SI) (108).

4. Now spindle motor (105) starts.

5. We can set offset of z axis position for cutting speed and feed for safe distance from Spectacle Glass Job (112) according to the requirement.

6. Y axis assembly (104) comes to its zero position now.

7. Spindle motor (105) stops.

Here scanning sensors used in the present novel invention such as Sensor-Sl-periphery (SI) (108), Sensor-S2-top surface Z (S2) (109), Sensor-S3-bottom surface Z (S3) (110) ranges from 0mm to 500mm. Further the above-mentioned scanning sensors can set anywhere in the machine (not restricted to any fixed place). The present invention provides scanning by LVDT sensor AND/OR LASER sensor, the same can be done by camera-based vision system but it will rise up the cost.

Spindle motor (105) used in the present novel invention has range from 50 to 60000 rpm/min. The present novel invention uses servo or stepper motor for axis motor and rotary motor.

The Axis arrangement of x, y and z of the present invention is not restricted. The present novel CNC Machine is close pack in structure (in drawings, for elaborative purpose it is shown in open structure).

It although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, for the ordinary skill in the art, can be with A variety of variations, modification, replacement can be carried out to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention by understanding and modification, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that term "coaxial", "bottom", "one end", "top", "in the orientation of the instructions such as portion", "other end", "upper", "side", "top", "bottom", "front", "centre", "both ends" or "position" are closed system, is to be based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is merely for convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than the device or element of indication or suggestion meaning must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, therefore it is not construed as a limitation of the present invention.

The above only is embodiments of the invention; be not so limit claim of the present invention; every equivalent structure or equivalent flow process conversion that utilizes specification of the present novel invention and accompanying drawing content to do; or directly or indirectly be used in other relevant technical fields, all in like manner be included in the scope of patent protection of the present invention.