The recent introduction of free form NC machining in the ophthalmic field involved a
full review of the former product development process both from the design and the
manufacturing viewpoint.
Aim of ...the present work is to investigate and to set up innovative methods and tools
supporting the product development, particularly for lenses characterized by free form
geometry, as e.g. progressive lenses.
In the design stage, the research addressed geometric modeling of complex lens shapes
and relevant analysis tools for the optical-geometrical characterization of the produced
models. In the manufacturing stage, the main interest was focused on the set-up of the
fabrication process, particularly on the NC machining process for which an integration CADCAM
software was developed for the generation and the simulation of the machining cycle.
The methodologies and tools made available by the present work are currently used in
the development of new complex geometry product typologies as, e.g. progressive lenses.
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