Lap having a layer conformable to curvatures of optical surfaces on lenses and a method for finishing optical surfaces

摘要

In a conformable lap and related method for finishing ophthalmic lens surfaces, a rigid base surface of the lap defines a nominal ophthalmic lens curvature corresponding to a predetermined range of curvatures. A work surface of the lap is defined by a thin, hard, polymeric material extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected ophthalmic lens surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected surface. A selectively conformable substance consisting of a mixture of thermoplastic and metallic particles forms a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface, and is selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms. In its non-solid form the conformable substance permits movement of the work surface relative to the base surface to conform to the curvatures of any one of a plurality of ophthalmic lens curvatures within the predetermined range of curvatures, and in its solid form the substance fixes the work surface in a position conforming to the curvature of a selected lens surface and retains the conforming position during finishing of the lens surface.