Apparatus and method for making ophthalmic lenses by vacuum lamination

摘要

An apparatus (10) is provided for making ophthalmic lenses by vacuum lamination wherein a front lens wafer (20) is laminated to a back lens wafer (22) with a layer of adhesive (24) disposed within the interface between the two wafers forming a composite lens (18). An upper flexible, transparent sheet (12) is located on the top side of the composite lens (18), a lower flexible, opaque or transparent sheet (14) is located on the bottom side of the composite lens, and an approximately air-tight enclosure (16) is formed between the sheets for receiving the composite lens. A vacuum pump (36) draws the upper and lower flexible sheets into engagement with the composite lens to press the wafers together. A UV lamp (38) transmits radiation through the upper flexible sheet (12) and into the adhesive layer to cure the adhesive and form the composite lens (18).