Optoform 80

Sterling Ultra Precision’s Optoform 80 is the world’s most technically advanced ophthalmic lathe for production of intraocular lenses (IOLs) and contact lenses. All the leading manufacturers of molded contact lenses are using the Optoform 80 or Nanoform series lathes to produce mold tools used in the production of polypropylene lens molds.

The Optoform 80 with its smooth and stiff hydraulic oil bearing system is a performance level above the Optoform 40. Its unique architecture enables the Optoform 80 to produce no-polish surfaces critical in the manufacture of lens mold inserts and diffactive multifocal contact lenses.

The Optoform 80’s flexible machine control software facilitates the manufacturing of a wide variety of contact lens and IOL designs including toric and non-symmetric when adapted with a fast tool servo attachment.

• 2-Axis architecture eliminates the build up of tolerances which occurs with 3 and 4-axis lathes
• Linear motors provide smooth, no-cogging motion, and maintenance-free operation
• Hydraulic oil bearing linear slides provide excellent stiffness, damping and stiction-free movement resulting in no-polish lens and mold tool surfaces
• An air bearing spindle enables smooth and repeatable lens rotation which are critical for ultra-precision IOL and contact lens manufacturing. A water chiller option is available to cool the spindle and minimize environmental temperature effects on lathing performance and subsequent lens quality
• High accuracy laser encoders on the linear slides ensure the highest accuracy motion for producing superior lens geometries and surfaces
• Positioning resolution for the linear slides is 8.6 nanometers to enable no-polish surfaces
• A thick granite base provides a flat-rigid mounting structure with excellent thermal stability. Pneumatic vibration isolators are mounted between the granite and frame to eliminate environmental disturbance transmitted up through the floor
• The Optoform 80 ophthalmic lathe is fully compatible with our fast tool servo attachments for producing toric contact lenses and intraocular lenses
• A large area tooling plate accommodates up to 6 diamond tools for flexible surface and edge diamond turning
• On-machine milling attachments are available for marking toric axes, and IOL haptic milling. A CNC controlled spraymist aids in producing no-polish surface finishes and extending diamond tool wear
• The Optoform 80 machine control software is extremely stable and flexible to accommodate a wide variety of lens designs
• Powerful and user-friendly design software integrates seamlessly with the Optoform 80
• A touch-activated monitor permits efficient and logical interaction between the operator and machine. Keyboard operation is also available for facilitating set-up routines
• The Optoform 80 conveniently interfaces with the users’ IT network

FTS 5000

Fast tool servo attachment for Optoform and Nanoform series ultra-precision lathes. The FTS 5000's 400 m/s² peak acceleration and 5 mm of travel enable production of high surface quality contact lens and intraocular lens toric designs at very high productivity rates. In addition to toric lens designs, FTS 5000 is also ideal for manufacturing other non-rotationally symmetric contact lens features such as prism ballasted, slab-offs, wafer-shaped, and numerous others.

Link to PDF

Optomark 3000E Toric Marker Attachment

• Capable of generating up to 125 marks per lens or mold insert
• Scribes radial marks on contact lenses, intraocular lenses and metal mold inserts for toric axis referencing
• Mark accuracy and resolution are 1 degree and 0.25 degree respectively
• Marker spindle maximum speed is 60,000 rpm

CNC Spray Mist

The CNC Controlled Spray Misting Attachment is an option which can be added to Optoform machine systems. (A different version is available for the Nanoform X.) The device delivers a controllable and adjustable mist of lubricating mist to the cutting area under computer control, so that only the nozzle assigned to the diamond tool which is actually cutting the part emits the spraymist. The benefits include significantly improved surface finishes as well as prolonged diamond life. Essential for cutting optical surfaces in non-ferrous metals (mold or insert production) and ‘no-polish’ GP lenses.

Optomill 3000 Milling Attachment

This high-speed turning and milling option uses a normal high-speed ultra-precision machining process to cut parts, which are lathed with appropriate diamond tools. The application is the direct milling of intra-ocular lens haptics. It then also automatically engages a low-speed capstan drive to control the part, which is being cut, initiating the milling phase of the operation. A high-speed air-driven turbine tool then cuts the part to a desired shape (e.g. cutting the haptics of an intraocular lens) or mills a desired pattern on the surface of the part. The normal high speed function or the low-speed capstan drive engages or disengages automatically and the diamond tool or the turbine tool moves into place automatically. This allows for the rapid sequencing of each part of the two-fold process, as milling alternates with normal high-speed ultra-precision machining of parts. The single fixturing of each part avoids inaccuracies.

Click here to download Milling Attachment specifications.

Freezing Device

Available collets (pdf)