Method and device for cleaning deposited material from a molding surface of a mold for forming ophthalmic lenses
A method of cleaning deposited material from a molding surface ( 10 ) of a mold ( 1 ) for forming ophthalmic lenses, including bringing a cleaning head ( 20 ) into contact with the molding surface ( 10 ), the rotational axis ( 22 ) of the cleaning head ( 20 ) being arranged normal to the molding surface ( 10 ), rotating ( 220 ) the cleaning head ( 20 ) around the rotational axis ( 22 ) while maintaining the contact between the cleaning head ( 20 ) and the molding surface ( 10 ), moving the cleaning head ( 20 ) to perform a precession motion ( 110 ) around a central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ), while rotating ( 220 ) the cleaning head ( 20 ) around the rotational axis ( 22 ) and while maintaining the contact between the cleaning head ( 20 ) and the molding surface ( 10 ). During the precession motion ( 110 ) the rotational axis ( 22 ) includes an inclination angle (α 1,α2 ) with the central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ).
1. A device for cleaning deposited material from a molding surface ( 10 ) of a mold ( 1 ) for forming ophthalmic lenses, in particular contact lenses, the device comprising:
at least one cleaning head ( 20 ) for cleaning deposited lens forming material from the molding surface ( 10 ), the cleaning head ( 20 ) having a rotational axis ( 22 ),
a positioning device for bringing the molding surface ( 10 ) and the cleaning head ( 20 ) in a predefined position relative to one another, in which a central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ) running through the apex thereof and the rotational axis ( 22 ) of the cleaning head ( 20 ) coincide,
a tilting device for tilting the cleaning head ( 20 ) such that the rotational axis ( 22 ) of the cleaning head ( 20 ) and the central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ) include an inclination angle (α 1 ,α 2 ),
a first drive for rotating ( 220 ) the cleaning head ( 20 ) around the rotational axis ( 22 ),
a second drive for moving the cleaning head ( 20 ) to perform a precession motion ( 110 ) around the central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ),
a controller for controlling the position of the molding surface ( 10 ) and of the cleaning head ( 20 ) relative to one another, for controlling the rotational speed of the cleaning head ( 20 ) around the rotational axis, for controlling the rotational speed of the precession motion of the cleaning head ( 20 ) around the central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ), and for controlling the inclination angle (α 1 ,α 2 ) between the rotational axis ( 22 ) and the central normal ( 11 ) on the molding surface ( 10 ).
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a dispensing needle ( 4 ) for dispensing a cleaning liquid ( 40 ) onto the molding surface ( 10 ).
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head ( 20 ) is mounted to a rotational support ( 21 ), and wherein a cloth ( 23 ) is attached to the rotational support ( 21 ) so as to cover the cleaning head ( 20 ).
4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head ( 20 ) is made of silicone or of a foamed material.
5. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the cleaning head ( 20 ) is made of silicone or of a foamed material.
6. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the cleaning head ( 20 ) is made of silicone or of a foamed material.
7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head ( 20 ) has a concave or convex shape matching a convex or concave shape of the molding surface ( 10 ).
8. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the cleaning head ( 20 ) has a concave or convex shape matching a convex or concave shape of the molding surface ( 10 ).