Apparatus And Method For Closure Of Ophthalmic Lens Molds

摘要

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses by bringing together a pair of mold halves to form a closed mold assembly, are described. The method includes measuring a force applied to bring the mold halves together. The apparatus includes at least one force sensor in operative communication with a single pair of mold halves, and a controller for controlling a velocity of movement of a mold half and for determining when a measured force or average measured force is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing an ophthalmic lens, the method comprising:
providing a male mold half having a convex mold surface, and a complementary female mold half having a concave mold surface, wherein the female mold half retains a polymerizable composition for forming an ophthalmic lens between the convex mold surface and the concave mold surface; moving one of the mold halves toward the other mold half until the convex mold surface of the male mold half contacts the polymerizable composition retained in the female mold half; contacting a surface of the female mold half with a surface of the male mold half by applying a force to bring the male mold half and the female mold half together; measuring the force applied during the contacting; and determining that the mold halves have formed a closed mold assembly when the force is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold force.