System and method for aligning reference marks on a lens blank using adjustable alignment marks
The disclosed invention relates to a system and method for aligning reference marks defining the optical center or major reference point on a lens blank with a series of alignment marks, or “fiducials”. The fiducials comprise first and second alignment bars displayed on a display operably associated with a computer, and overlay the reference marks, also displayed on the display. The fiducials may be adjusted to accurately precisely align the lens blank.
1. A system for aligning reference marks on a lens blank, comprising:
first fiducials displayed on a display operably associated with a computer, said first fiducials having a first adjustable spacing for aligning reference marks on a lens blank; and
second fiducials displayed on the display, said second fiducials having a second adjustable spacing for aligning reference marks on the lens blank.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second spacings maybe independently adjusted.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said first and second fiducials are defined by four L-shaped members.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein said first fiducials are perpendicular to said second fiducials.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein said first fiducials intersect said second fiducials at a midpoint of said second fiducials.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said second fiducials are a shorter length than said first fiducials.
7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of lines parallel to said first fiducials.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said plurality of lines are longer in length than said first fiducials.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of lines are positioned above said first fiducials.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of lines are positioned below said first fiducials.
11. The system of claim 2 , wherein said second fiducials comprise a first line parallel to a second line, defining the second spacing therebetween.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said first fiducials comprise a first bar extending inwardly from said first line into the second spacing and a second bar extending inwardly from said second line into the second spacing.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein said first fiducials are perpendicular to said second fiducials.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein each one of said first and second bars extend from one end of said first and second lines.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said first bar extending from said first line is symmetrical to said second bar extending from said second line.
16. A method for aligning reference marks on a lens blank, comprising the steps of:
providing a lens blank having reference marks thereon;
projecting the reference marks on a display;
selecting fiducials corresponding to the lens blank, wherein the fiducials have adiustable spacings for aligning the reference marks;
displaying the selected fiducials on the display;
adjusting the spacings of the selected fiducials; and
orienting the lens blank so that the reference marks are aligned with the adjusted fiducials, thereby orienting and positioning the lens blank.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the lens blank is selected from the group consisting of a single vision lens, a segment lens, a round segment lens, an executive segment lens, and a progressive lens.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the display is operably associated with a computer.
19. The method of claim 16 , comprising the step of selecting fiducials corresponding to the lens blank with a user interface.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the fiducials have adjustable axis lines for aligning the reference marks.
21. The method of claim 20 , including the further step of adjusting the axis lines.