Abstract:
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, comprises: a detecting unit, which detects an edge position of the lens based on inputted target lens shape data and layout data; a processing unit, which has at least one grinding tool and which processes the lens by relatively moving the lens with respect to the grinding tool, the at least one grinding tool being adapted to execute at least two types of processing including: a plane finish processing; a bevel finish processing; a plane polish processing; a bevel polish processing; a first groove processing; and a second groove processing; an input unit, which inputs data on ranges of the lens periphery and data on respective processing types to partially change the processing types to be executed on the lens periphery; a computing unit, which obtains processing data for the respective ranges, different in processing type, based on data on edge position and data on processing type corresponding respectively to the ranges; and a control unit, which generates a control signal to the processing unit based on the obtained processing data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing the periphery of an eyeglass lens.  
           [0002]    There is known the eyeglass lens processing apparatus which performs bevel finishing processing, plane finishing processing, and groove processing over the periphery of an eyeglass lens based on target lens shape data (traced data of en eyeglass frame, a template, a pattern, a dummy lens or the like). Also, there is known the apparatus which has the function of further performing polishing (mirror processing) over the lens periphery after the finish processing.  
           [0003]    However, in the conventional apparatus, the arrangement is such that a single processing is performed over the entire periphery of a lens, and hence the (kind of) processing cannot be partially changed. Thus, there is a problem that the degree of processing freedom with respect to the design of a frame etc. is limited.  
           [0004]    In light of the aforesaid problem in the conventional technique, the invention has as its object to provide the eyeglass lens processing apparatus which can partially change the (king of) processing.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In order to solve the aforesaid technical problem, the invention is characterized by having the following arrangement.  
           [0006]    (1) An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, comprising:  
           [0007]    a detecting unit, which detects an edge position of the lens based on inputted target lens shape data and layout data;  
           [0008]    a processing unit, which has at least one grinding tool and which processes the lens by relatively moving the lens with respect to the grinding tool, the at least one grinding tool being adapted to execute at least two types of processing including:  
           [0009]    a plane finish processing in which the lens periphery is finished flatly;  
           [0010]    a bevel finish processing in which a bevel is formed to the lens periphery;  
           [0011]    a plane polish processing in which the lens periphery is finished into a flat polished surface;  
           [0012]    a bevel polish processing in which the lens periphery is polished with a bevel formed thereto;  
           [0013]    a first groove processing in which a first groove is formed to the lens periphery; and  
           [0014]    a second groove processing in which a second groove different in at least one of groove width and groove depth from the first groove is formed to the lens periphery;  
           [0015]    an input unit, which inputs data on ranges of the lens periphery and data on respective processing types to partially change the processing types to be executed on the lens periphery;  
           [0016]    a computing unit, which obtains processing data for the respective ranges, different in processing type, based on data on edge position and data on processing type corresponding respectively to the ranges; and  
           [0017]    a control unit, which generates a control signal to the processing unit based on the obtained processing data.  
           [0018]    (2) The apparatus of (1), wherein:  
           [0019]    the data on ranges of the lens periphery include range data designed at an eyeglass frame maker and stored in a storage medium together with the target lens shape data; and  
           [0020]    the input unit reads the range data together with the target lens shape data from the storage medium and inputs these data.  
           [0021]    (3) The apparatus of (1), wherein:  
           [0022]    the data on ranges of the lens periphery include range data designed at an eyeglass frame maker together with the target lens shape data; and  
           [0023]    the input unit inputs the range data and the target lens shape data via a communications net work.  
           [0024]    (4) The apparatus of (1), wherein the input unit includes:  
           [0025]    a display unit, which displays a target lens shape figure based on the inputted target lens shape data; and  
           [0026]    a specifying unit, which specifies the ranges on the displayed target lens shape figure.  
           [0027]    (5) The apparatus of (1), wherein the input unit includes a selection unit, which selects, from stored processing types, a desired processing type for each of the ranges.  
           [0028]    (6) The apparatus of (1), wherein the input unit inputs data on groove width and groove depth of the first groove and data on groove width and groove depth of the second groove when the first groove processing and the second groove processing are inputted as the processing types.  
           [0029]    (7) The apparatus of (1), further comprising:  
           [0030]    a measuring unit, which measures an eyeglass frame, a template or a dummy lens, and inputs measured configuration data as the target lens shape data.  
           [0031]    (8) The apparatus of (1), further comprising:  
           [0032]    a layout input unit, which inputs the layout data for layout of the lens with respect to the inputted target lens shape data.  
           [0033]    (9) An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing a periphery of an eyeglass lens, comprising:  
           [0034]    a detecting unit, which detects an edge position of the lens based on inputted target lens shape data and layout data;  
           [0035]    a processing unit, which has at least one grinding tool and which processes the lens by relatively moving the lens with respect to the grinding tool, the at least one grinding tool being adapted to execute at least two types of processing including:  
           [0036]    a plane finish processing in which the lens periphery is finished flatly;  
           [0037]    a bevel finish processing in which a bevel is formed to the lens periphery;  
           [0038]    a plane polish processing in which the lens periphery is finished into a flat polished surface;  
           [0039]    a bevel polish processing in which the lens periphery is polished with a bevel formed thereto;  
           [0040]    a first groove processing in which a first groove is formed to the lens periphery; and  
           [0041]    a second groove processing in which a second groove different in at least one of groove width and groove depth from the first groove is formed to the lens periphery;  
           [0042]    an input unit, which inputs data on ranges of the lens periphery and data on respective processing types to partially change the processing types to be executed on the lens periphery;  
           [0043]    a display unit, which displays, based on the inputted target lens shape data, a target lens shape figure, with which the inputted ranges can be confirmed;  
           [0044]    a computing unit, which obtains processing data for the respective ranges, different in processing type, based on data on edge position and data on processing type corresponding respectively to the ranges; and  
           [0045]    a control unit, which generates a control signal to the processing unit based on the obtained processing data.  
           [0046]    (10) The apparatus of (9), wherein the input unit includes a specifying unit, which specifies the ranges on the displayed target lens shape figure.  
           [0047]    (11) The apparatus of (9), wherein the input unit includes a selection unit, which selects, from stored processing types, a desired processing type for each of the ranges.  
           [0048]    (12) The apparatus of (9), wherein the display unit displays a sectional shape of a specified edge position.  
           [0049]    The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application No. 2000-184586 (filed on Jun. 16, 2000), which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0050]    [0050]FIG. 1 is a view of the external configuration of an eyeglass lens processing apparatus according to the invention.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a lens processing section disposed within a casing of the apparatus body.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing the main portions of a carriage section.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 4 is a view, taken from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2, of the carriage section.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 5 is a top view of a lens shape measuring section.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 6 is a left elevation of FIG. 5.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 7 is a view showing the main portion of the right lateral of FIG. 5.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 5.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the state of right-and-left movement of the lens shape measuring section.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 10 is a front view of a chamfering and grooving mechanism section.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11 is atop view of the chamfering and grooving mechanism section.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 12 is a left elevation of the chamfering and grooving mechanism section.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control system of the apparatus.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the eyeglass frame in which the lens subjected to the lens periphery processing according to the invention is fitted.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the simulation screen incase the grooving depth and width are partially changed.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the layout screen in case bevel processing and groove processing are performed.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the simulation screen in case bevel processing and groove processing are performed. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0067]    Hereafter, a description will be given of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0068]    (1) Overall Construction  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the external configuration of an eyeglass-lens processing apparatus in accordance with the invention. An eyeglass-frame-shape measuring device  2  is incorporated in an upper right-hand rear portion of a main body  1  of the apparatus. As the frame-shape measuring device  2 , ones that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,228,242, 5,333,412, 5,347,762 (Re. 35,898) and so on, the assignee of which is the same as the present application, can be used. A switch panel section  410  having switches for operating the frame-shape measuring device  2  and a display  415  for displaying processing information and the like are disposed in front of the frame-shape measuring device  2 . Further, reference numeral  420  denotes a switch panel section having various switches for inputting processing conditions and the like and for giving instructions for processing, and numeral  402  denotes an openable window for a processing chamber.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of a lens processing section disposed in the casing of the main body  1 . A carriage section  700  is mounted on a base  10 , and a subject lens LE clamped by a pair of lens chuck shafts of a carriage  701  is ground by a group of abrasive wheels  602  attached to a rotating shaft  601 . The group of abrasive wheels  602  include a rough abrasive wheel  602   a  for plastic lenses, a finish abrasive wheel  602   b  having processing surfaces for beveling processing and flat processing, and a polish abrasive wheel  602   c  having processing surfaces for beveling processing and flat processing. The rotating shaft  601  is rotatably attached to the base  10  by a spindle  603 . A pulley  604  is attached to an end of the rotating shaft  601 , and is linked through a belt  605  to a pulley  607  which is attached to a rotating shaft of an abrasive-wheel rotating motor  606 .  
         [0071]    A lens-shape measuring section  500  is provided in the rear of the carriage  701 . Further, a chamfering and grooving mechanism section  800  is provided in the front side.  
         [0072]    (2) Construction of Various Sections  
         [0073]    (A) Carriage Section  
         [0074]    Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , a description will be given of the construction of the carriage section  700 . FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of essential portions of the carriage section  700 , and FIG. 4 is a view, taken from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2, of the carriage section  700 .  
         [0075]    The carriage  701  is capable of rotating the lens LE while chucking it with two lens chuck shafts (lens rotating shafts)  702 L and  702 R, and is rotatably slidable with respect to a carriage shaft  703  that is fixed to the base  10  and that extends in parallel to the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  601 . Hereafter, a description will be given of a lens chuck mechanism and a lens rotating mechanism as well as an X-axis moving mechanism and a Y-axis moving mechanism of the carriage  701  by assuming that the direction in which the carriage  701  is moved in parallel to the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  601  is the X axis, and the direction for changing the axis-to-axis distance between the chuck shafts ( 702 L,  702 R) and the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  601  by the rotation of the carriage  701  is the Y axis.  
         [0076]    &lt;Lens Chuck Mechanism and Lens Rotating Mechanism&gt; 
         [0077]    The chuck shaft  702 L and the chuck shaft  702 R are rotatably held coaxially by a left arm  701 L and a right arm  701 R, respectively, of the carriage  701 . A chucking motor  710  is fixed to the center of the upper surface of the right arm  701 R, and the rotation of a pulley  711  attached to a rotating shaft of the motor  710  rotates a feed screw  713 , which is rotatably held inside the right arm  701 R, by means of a belt  712 . A feed nut  714  is moved in the axial direction by the rotation of the feed screw  713 . As a result, the chuck shaft  702 R connected to the feed nut  714  can be moved in the axial direction, so that the lens LE is clamped by the chuck shafts  702 L and  702 R.  
         [0078]    A rotatable block  720  for attaching a motor, which is rotatable about the axis of the chuck shaft  702 L, is attached to a left-side end portion of the left arm  701 L, and the chuck shaft  702 L is passed through the block  720 , a gear  721  being secured to the left end of the chuck shaft  702 L. A pulse motor  722  for lens rotation is fixed to the block  720 , and as the motor  722  rotates the gear  721  through a gear  724 , the rotation of the motor  720  is transmitted to the chuck shaft  702 L. A pulley  726  is attached to the chuck shaft  702 L inside the left arm  701 L. The pulley  726  is linked by means of a timing belt  731   a  to a pulley  703   a  secured to a left end of a rotating shaft  728 , which is held rotatably in the rear of the carriage  701 . Further, a pulley  703   b  secured to a right end of the rotating shaft  728  is linked by means of a timing belt  731   b  to a pulley  733  which is attached to the chuck shaft  702 R in such a manner as to be slidable in the axial direction of the chuck shaft  702 R inside the right arm  701 R. By virtue of this arrangement, the chuck shaft  702 L and the chuck shaft  702 R are rotated synchronously.  
         [0079]    &lt;X-Axis Moving Mechanism and Y-Axis Moving Mechanism of Carriage&gt; 
         [0080]    The carriage shaft  703  is provided with a movable arm  740  which is slidable in its axial direction so that the arm  740  is movable in the X-axis direction (in the axial direction of the shaft  703 ) together with the carriage  701 . Further, the arm  740  at its front portion is slidable on and along a guide shaft  741  that is secured to the base  10  in a parallel positional relation to the shaft  703 . A rack  743  extending in parallel to the shaft  703  is attached to a rear portion of the arm  740 , and this rack  743  meshes with a pinion  746  attached to a rotating shaft of a motor  745  for moving the carriage in the X-axis direction, the motor  745  being secured to the base  10 . By virtue of the above-described arrangement, the motor  745  is able to move the carriage  701  together with the arm  740  in the axial direction of the shaft  703  (in the X-axis direction).  
         [0081]    As shown in FIG. 3( b ), a swingable block  750  is attached to the arm  740  in such a manner as to be rotatable about the axis La which is in alignment with the rotational center of the abrasive wheels  602 . The distance from the center of the shaft  703  to the axis La and the distance from the center of the shaft  703  to the rotational center of the chuck shaft ( 702 L,  702 R) are set to be identical. A Y-axis moving motor  751  is attached to the swingable block  750 , and the rotation of the motor  751  is transmitted by means of a pulley  752  and a belt  753  to a female screw  755  held rotatably in the swingable block  750 . A feed screw  756  is inserted in a threaded portion of the female screw  755  in mesh therewith, and the feed screw  756  is moved vertically by the rotation of the female screw  755 .  
         [0082]    A guide block  760  which abuts against a lower end surface of the motor-attaching block  720  is fixed to an upper end of the feed screw  756 , and the guide block  760  moves along two guide shafts  758   a  and  758   b  implanted on the swingable block  750 . Accordingly, as the guide block  760  is vertically moved together with the feed screw  756  by the rotation of the motor  751 , it is possible to change the vertical position of the block  720  abutting against the guide block  760 . As a result, the vertical position of the carriage  701  attached to the block  720  can be also changed (namely, the carriage  701  rotates about the shaft  703  to change the axis-to-axis distance between the chuck shafts ( 702 L,  702 R) and the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  601 ). A spring  762  is stretched between the left arm  701 L and the arm  740 , so that the carriage  701  is constantly urged downward to impart processing pressure onto the lens LE. Although the downward urging force acts on the carriage  701 , the downward movement of the carriage  701  is restricted such that the carriage  701  can only be lowered down to the position in which the block  720  abuts against the guide block  760 . A sensor  764  for detecting an end of processing is attached to the block  720 , and the sensor  764  detects the end of processing (ground state) by detecting the position of a sensor plate  765  attached to the guide block  760 .  
         [0083]    (B) Lens-Shape Measuring Section  
         [0084]    Referring to FIGS.  5  to  8 , a description will be given of the construction of the lens-shape measuring section  500 . FIG. 5 is a top view of the lens-shape measuring section, FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of FIG. 5, and FIG.  7  is a view illustrating essential portions of the right side surface shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 5.  
         [0085]    A supporting block  501  is provided uprightly on the base  10 . A sliding base  510  is held on the supporting block  501  in such a manner as to be slidable in the left-and-right direction (in a direction parallel to the chuck shafts) by means of a pair of upper and lower guide rail portions  502   a  and  502   b  juxtaposed vertically. A forwardly extending side plate  510   a  is formed integrally at a left end of the sliding base  510 , and a shaft  511  having a parallel positional relation to the chuck shafts  702 L and  702 R is rotatably attached to the side plate  510   a . A feeler arm  514  having a feeler  515  for measuring the lens rear surface is secured to a right end portion of the shaft  511 , while a feeler arm  516  having a feeler  517  for measuring the lens front surface is secured to the shaft  511  at a position close to its center. Both the feeler  515  and the feeler  517  have a hollow cylindrical shape, a distal end portion of each of the feelers is obliquely cut as shown in FIG. 5, and the obliquely cut tip comes into contact with the rear surface or front surface of the lens LE. Contact points of the feeler  515  and the feeler  517  are opposed to each other, and the interval therebetween is arranged to be constant. Incidentally, the axis Lb connecting the contact point of the feeler  515  and the contact point of the feeler  517  is in a predetermined parallel positional relation to the axis of the chuck shafts ( 702 L,  702 R) in the state of measurement shown in FIG. 5. Further, the feeler  515  has a slightly longer hollow cylindrical portion, and measurement is effected by causing its side surface to abut against an edge surface of the lens LE during the measurement of the outside diameter of the lens LE.  
         [0086]    A small gear  520  is fixed to a proximal portion of the shaft  511 , and a large gear  521  which is rotatably provided on the side plate  510   a  is in mesh with the small gear  520 . A spring  523  is stretched between the large gear  521  and a lower portion of the side plate  510   a , so that the large gear  521  is constantly pulled in the direction of rotating clockwise in FIG. 7 by the spring  523 . Namely, the arms  514  and  516  are urged so as to rotate downward by means of the small gear  520 .  
         [0087]    A slot  503  is formed in the side plate  510   a , and a pin  527  which is eccentrically secured to the large gear  521  is passed through the slot  503 . A first moving plate  528  for rotating the large gear  521  is attached to the pin  527 . An elongated hole  528   a  is formed substantially in the center of the first moving plate  528 , and a fixed pin  529  secured to the side plate  510   a  is engaged in the elongated hole  528   a.    
         [0088]    Further, a motor  531  for arm rotation is attached to a rear plate  501   a  extending in the rear of the supporting block  501 , and an eccentric pin  533  at a position eccentric from a rotating shaft of the motor  531  is attached to a rotating member  532  provided on a rotating shaft of the motor  531 . A second moving plate  535  for moving the first moving plate  528  in the back-and-forth direction (in the left-and-right direction in FIG. 6) is attached to the eccentric pin  533 . An elongated hole  535   a  is formed substantially in the center of the second moving plate  535 , and a fixed pin  537  which is fixed to the rear plate  501   a  is engaged in the elongated hole  535   a . A roller  538  is rotatably attached to an end portion of the second moving plate  535 .  
         [0089]    When the eccentric pin  533  is rotated clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 6 by the rotation of the motor  531 , the second moving plate  535  moves forward (rightward in FIG. 6) by being guided by the fixed pin  537  and the elongated hole  535   a . Since the roller  538  abuts against the end face of the first moving plate  528 , the roller  538  moves the first moving plate  528  in the forward direction as well owing to the movement of the second moving plate  535 . As a result of this movement, the first moving plate  528  rotates the large gear  521  by means of the pin  527 . The rotation of the large gear  521 , in turn, causes the feeler arms  514  and  516  attached to the shaft  511  to retreat to an upright state. The driving by the motor  531  to this retreated position is determined as an unillustrated micro switch detects the rotated position of the rotating member  532 .  
         [0090]    If the motor  531  is reversely rotated, the second moving plate  535  is pulled back, the large gear  521  is rotated by being pulled by the spring  523 , and the feeler arms  514  and  516  are inclined toward the front side. The rotation of the large gear  521  is limited as the pin  527  comes into contact with an end surface of the slot  503  formed in the side plate  510   a , thereby determining the measurement positions of the feeler arms  514  and  516 . The rotation of the feeler arms  514  and  516  up to this measurement positions is detected as the position of a sensor plate  525  attached to the large gear  521  is detected by a sensor  524  attached to the side plate  510   a , as shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0091]    Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a description will be given of a left-and-right moving mechanism of the sliding base  510  (feeler arms  514 ,  515 ). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the state of left-and-right movement.  
         [0092]    An opening  510   b  is formed in the sliding base  510 , and a rack  540  is provided at a lower end of the opening Slob. The rack  540  meshes with a pinion  543  of an encoder  542  fixed to the supporting block  501 , and the encoder  542  detects the direction of the left-and-right movement and the amount of movement of the sliding base  510 . A chevron-shaped driving plate  551  and an inverse chevron-shaped driving plate  553  are attached to a wall surface of the supporting block  501 , which is exposed through the opening  510   b  in the sliding base  510 , in such a manner as to be rotatable about a shaft  552  and a shaft  554 , respectively. A spring  555  having urging forces in the directions in which the driving plate  551  and the driving plate  553  approach each other is stretched between the two driving plates  551  and  553 . Further, a limiting pin  557  is embedded in the wall surface of the supporting block  501 , and when an external force is not acting upon the sliding base  510 , both an upper end face  551   a  of the driving plate  551  and an upper end face  553   a  of the driving plate  553  are in a state of abutting against the limiting pin  557 , and this limiting pin  557  serves as an origin of the left- and rightward movement.  
         [0093]    Meanwhile, a guide pin  560  is secured to an upper portion of the sliding base  510  at a position between the upper end face  551   a  of the driving plate  551  and the upper end face  553   a  of the driving plate  553 . When a rightwardly moving force acts upon the sliding base  510 , as shown in FIG. 9( a ), the guide pin  560  abuts against the upper end face  553   a  of the driving plate  553 , causing the driving plate  553  to be tilted rightward. At this time, since the driving plate  551  is fixed by the limiting pin  557 , the sliding base  510  is urged in the direction of being returned to the origin of left- and rightward movement (in the leftward direction) by the spring  555 . On the other hand, when a leftwardly moving force acts upon the sliding base  510 , as shown in FIG. 9( b ), the guide pin  560  abuts against the upper end face  551   a  of the driving plate  551 , and the driving plate  551  is tilted leftward, but the driving plate  553  is fixed by the limiting pin  557 . Accordingly, the sliding base  510  this time is urged in the direction of being returned to the origin of left- and rightward movement (in the rightward direction) by the spring  555 . From such movement of the sliding base  510 , the amount of movement of the feeler  515  in contact with the lens rear surface and the feeler  517  in contact with the lens front surface (the amount of axial movement of the chuck shafts) is detected by a single encoder  542 .  
         [0094]    It should be noted that, in FIG. 5, reference numeral  50  denotes a waterproof cover, and only the shaft  511 , the feeler arms  514  and  516 , and the feelers  515  and  517  are exposed in the waterproof cover  50 . Numeral  51  denotes a sealant for sealing the gap between the waterproof cover  50  and the shaft  511 . Although a coolant is jetted out from an unillustrated nozzle during processing, since the lens-shape measuring section  500  is disposed in the rear of the processing chamber and by virtue of the above-described arrangement, it is possible to provide waterproofing for the electrical components and moving mechanism of the lens-shape measuring section  500  by merely providing shielding for the shaft  511  exposed in the waterproof cover  50 , and the waterproofing structure is thus simplified.  
         [0095]    (C) Chamfering and Grooving Mechanism Section  
         [0096]    Referring to FIGS.  10  to  12 , a description will be given of the construction of the chamfering and grooving mechanism section  800 . FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the chamfering and grooving mechanism section  800 ; FIG. 11 is a top view; and FIG. 12 is a left side elevational view.  
         [0097]    A fixed plate  802  for attaching the various members is fixed to a supporting block  801  fixed to the base  10 . A pulse motor  805  for rotating an arm  820  (which will be described later) to move an abrasive wheel section  840  to a processing position and a retreated position is fixed on an upper left-hand side of the fixed plate  802  by four column spacers  806 . A holding member  811  for rotatably holding an arm rotating member  810  is attached to a central portion of the fixed plate  802 , and a large gear  813  is secured to the arm rotating member  810  extending to the left-hand side of the fixed plate  802 . A gear  807  is attached to a rotating shaft of the motor  805 , and the rotation of the gear  807  by the motor  805  is transmitted to the large gear  813  through an idler gear  815 , thereby rotating the arm  820  attached to the arm rotating member  810 .  
         [0098]    In addition, an abrasive-wheel rotating motor  821  is secured to a rear (left-hand side in FIG. 10) of the large gear  813 , and the motor  821  rotates together with the large gear  813 . A rotating shaft of the motor  821  is connected to a shaft  823  which is rotatably held inside the arm rotating member  810 , and a pulley  824  is attached to the other end of the shaft  823  extending to the interior of the arm  820 . Further, a holding member  831  for rotatably holding an abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  830  is attached to a distal end of the arm  820 , and a pulley  832  is attached to a left end (left-hand side in FIG. 11) of the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  830 . The pulley  832  is connected to the pulley  824  by a belt  835 , so that the rotation of the motor  821  is transmitted to the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  830 .  
         [0099]    The abrasive wheel section  840  for grinding and processing the periphery of the lens LE is mounted on a right end of the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  830 . The abrasive wheel section  840  is so constructed that a chamfering abrasive wheel  840   a  for a lens rear surface, a chamfering abrasive wheel  840   b  for a lens front surface, and a grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  provided between the two chamfering abrasive wheels  840   a  and  840   b  are integrally formed. The diameter of the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  is about 30 mm, and the chamfering abrasive wheels  840   a  and  840   b  on both sides have processing slanting surfaces such that their diameters become gradually smaller toward their outward sides with the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  as the center. (The diameter of the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  is larger than the outmost diameter of each of the chamfering abrasive wheels  840   a  and  840   b .)  
         [0100]    It should be noted that the abrasive-wheel rotating shaft  830  is disposed in such a manner as to be inclined about 8 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the chuck shafts  702 L and  702 R, so that the groove can be easily formed along the lens curve by the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c . Additionally, the slanting surface of the chamfering abrasive wheel  840   a  and the slanting surface of the chamfering abrasive wheel  840   b  are so designed that the chamfering angles for the edge corners of the lens LE chucked by the chuck shafts  702 L and  702 R are respectively set to 55 degrees and 40 degrees.  
         [0101]    A block  850  is attached to this side on the left-hand side (this side on the left-hand side in FIG. 10) of the fixed plate  802 , and a ball plunger  851  having a spring  851   a  is provided inside the block  850 . Further, a limiting plate  853  which is brought into contact with a ball  851   b  of the ball plunger  851  is fixed to the large gear  813 . At the time of starting the grooving or chamfering, the arm  820  is rotated together with the large gear  813  by the rotation of the motor  805 , so that the abrasive wheel section  840  is placed at the processing position shown in FIG. 12. At this time, the limiting plate  853  is brought to a position for abutment against the ball  851   b.    
         [0102]    In FIG. 12, a sensor  855  for detecting the origin of the processing position is fixed below the block  850 . As the sensor  855  detects the light-shielded state of a sensor plate  856  attached to the large gear  813  so as to detect the origin of the processing position of the abrasive wheel section  840 , i.e., the position where the limiting plate  853  abuts against the ball  851   b  without application of the urging force due to the ball plunger  851 . This information on the origin of the processing position is used during calibration for defining the distance between the abrasive wheel section  840  and the chuck shafts  702 R and  702 L.  
         [0103]    Further, a sensor  858  for detecting the retreated position is fixed on an upper side of the block  850 . As the sensor  858  detects a sensor plate  859  attached to the large gear  813 , the sensor  858  detects the retreated position of the abrasive wheel section  840  which is rotated together with the arm  820  in the direction of arrow  846 . The retreated position of the abrasive wheel section  840  is set at a position offset rightwardly from a vertical direction in FIG. 12.  
         [0104]    The groove depth in groove processing is changed such that, with the vertical (Y-axis) movement of the carriage  701 , the lens LE is moved with respect to the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  placed at the processing position. The groove width is changed such that, with the horizontal (X-axis) movement of the carriage  701 , the lens LE is moved with respect to the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c.    
         [0105]    The operation of the apparatus having such an arrangement as described above will now be described using the block diagram of a control system of FIG. 13.  
         [0106]    First, description will be given of the case of partially changing the groove depth and width when the periphery of the lens LE is processed. For example, it is assumed that an eyeglass frame F shown in FIG. 14 is designed such that a metal frame portion  100  and a NYROL string are required to be both fitted into the groove of the lens LE. Assuming further that, in order to positively retain the NYROL string, a lower part (a range  101  indicated by an arrow in the drawing) of the groove formed in the lens LE needs to be larger in depth and width.  
         [0107]    Prior to processing the lens LE, the target lens shape data (frame shape data) on an eyeglass frame is inputted. The target lens shape data can be obtained by measuring, by means of a frame shape measuring device  2 , the shape of the dummy lens or the template which has been attached to the eyeglass frame F.  
         [0108]    The target lens shape data obtained by the frame shape measuring device  2  is inputted to a data memory  161  by pressing a switch  421 . As shown in FIG. 13, the target lens shape figure  450  based on the target lens shape data is displayed on a display  415 , thus making it ready to input processing conditions and layout conditions. A processor inputs layout data such as a FPD value, a PD value, and a height of optical center by the operation switches on a switch panel section  420 .  
         [0109]    Also, a processing type change mode is selected by a mode switch  423  to input the data for changing the processing type (kind) partially for the lens LE periphery. This operation is performed as follows. By operating the “+” switch  424   a  or “−” switch  424   b  provided on the switch panel section  420 , the rotating cursor  451  displayed within the target lens shape figure  450  is rotated and moved to the first point of the range where the processing type (grooving width, depth) is to be changed. Thereafter, the point is determined by an ENT switch  426 . The mark  452   a  of the point determination is displayed on the profile line of the target lens shape figure 450. Next, the rotating cursor  451  is rotated up to the second point of the range where the metal frame portion  100  is to be fitted in the groove. Then, the point is determined by the ENT switch  426 . A mark  452   b  is displayed at the determined second point, and the interval between the first point and the second point to which the rotating cursor  451  has been moved therefrom flashes on and off. Hence, a forced grooving mode is selected by the mode switch  423 , and then determined by the ENT switch  426 . This determination by the ENT switch  426  causes the remaining interval (the range where the NYROL string is to be fitted in the groove) to flash on and off. Hence, similarly, the forced grooving mode is selected by the mode switch  423 , and determined by the ENT switch  426 . Thereby, the ranges where the grooving depth and width are to be partially changed can be inputted. Hereinafter, the range on the upper side of the marks  452   a  and  452   b  will be referred to as a first grooving range, and the range on the lower side as a second grooving range.  
         [0110]    Further, in case the range of the processing type is divided in further detail, a third point is determined after the determination of the second point, and the same operation is repeated.  
         [0111]    Once any other necessary processing conditions can be inputted, the lens LE is held by two chuck shafts  702 L,  702 R. Thereafter, when a start switch  428  is pressed to operate the apparatus, the lens shape measuring section  500  is driven to execute a lens LE shape measurement in accordance with the target lens shape data. The main control section  160  rotates the lens LE with a feeler  517  abutting against the lens front-side refracting surface, and also vertically moves the carriage  701  based on the target lens shape data. Accompanied by this drive, the feeler  517  is moved in the horizontal direction along the shape of the lens front-side refracting surface. The amount of this movement is detected by an encoder  542 , thus measuring the shape of the front-side refracting surface of the lens LE. The shape of the rear-side refracting surface of the lens LE is measured by causing a feeler  515  to abut against the lens surface so as similarly to detect the amount of movement of the feeler  515 .  
         [0112]    When the result of measurement of the lens LE shape is obtained, the main control section  160 , based on the edge position information obtained by the lens shape measurement, makes a calculation for the processing data (the data on a groove path) on each range in accordance with a predetermined program. The groove path is obtained, for instance, such that the edge thickness of the lens LE is divided at a predetermined ratio.  
         [0113]    When the calculation of the processing data is completed, the screen of the display  415  is switched to a simulation screen. FIG. 15 is an example of the simulation screen. The approximate curve value obtained from the groove path data is displayed in a “curve” item  460 . In case of changing this value, after a cursor  458  is put on the “curve” item  460  by the switch  425  on the switch panel section  420 , the value can be changed by adjusting the switch  424   a  or  424   b  for increase or decrease in numeric value. When the curve value is changed, the groove path data approximate to the curve value is calculated again. The curve value is used as a practical representation of the lens curve on an eyeglass lens. A “position” item  461  is the item where the amount of offset by which the groove path is moved in parallel toward the lens front side or rear side is inputted.  
         [0114]    The values of grooving depth and width to be partially changed are inputted as follows. When the rotating cursor  451  is rotated and positioned in the first grooving range on the target lens shape figure  450 , the values of grooving depth and width in this range are made changeable. After the cursor  458  is put on a “groove depth” item  462  or a “groove width”  463 , the value in the item is changed to increase or decrease with the switch  424   a  or  424   b . The display of the right-side numeric value in each item indicates the current value, and the value to be changed is displayed as reversed indication. The groove depth and the groove width in the first grooving range are set to 0.6 mm and 0.6 mm, respectively.  
         [0115]    Next, when the rotating cursor  451  is positioned in the second grooving range on the target lens shape figure  450 , the values of grooving depth and width in this range are made changeable. Similarly, the respective values displayed as reversed indication are changed by putting the cursor  458  on the “groove depth” item  462  and the “groove width” item  463 . The display of the right-side numeric value in each item indicates the current value. The groove depth and the groove width in the second grooving range are set to 0.8 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively. Upon input of the change in grooving depth and width, the data on the groove path is calculated again for each of the ranges where the groove forming condition is partially changed. In case of using the disk-like grooving abrasive wheel  840   c , each boundary between the first and second grooving ranges is influenced by the diameter of the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c . Hence, the groove path is calculated such that a depth of 0.8 mm of the second grooving range, i.e. a larger depth, is secured at each boundary.  
         [0116]    Also, on the simulation screen, if the rotating cursor  451  displayed within the target lens shape figure  450  is rotated in the same way as described above to specify the edge position, the estimated edge sectional form to be obtained as a consequence of the processing is displayed in the left upper portion of the screen. Accordingly, a bevel sectional form or a groove sectional form can be confirmed over the entire periphery.  
         [0117]    After the confirmation, processing is executed by pressing the start switch  428  again. First, the main control section  160  moves the carriage  701  such that the lens LE is placed above the rough abrasive wheel  602   a , and vertically moves the carriage  701  to perform rough processing in accordance with the rough processing data preliminarily obtained on the basis of the target lens shape data and the layout data. Subsequently, the lens LE is moved to the planar portion of the finish abrasive wheel  602   b , and the plane finishing processing over the entire periphery is performed in accordance with preliminarily obtained plane finishing processing data.  
         [0118]    Thereafter, the groove processing is performed by the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  in the chamfering and grooving mechanism section  800 . After raising the carriage  701 , the main control section  160  drives such that the abrasive wheel section  840  placed at the retreated position comes to the processing position, and then positions the lens LE on the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c . Then, while rotating the lens LE, the main control section  160  controls the movement of the carriage  701  based on the groove path data which are set at 0.6 mm in groove depth and 0.6 mm in groove width in the first grooving range. Incidentally, the abrasive wheel width of the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c  in the embodiment is set to 0.6 mm, which is to be the minimum groove width.  
         [0119]    In the second grooving range, first, the main control section  160  controls the movement of the carriage  701  so that the lens LE is processed to have a groove width of 0.6 mm by one revolution of the lens LE. Thereafter, in order to further process the lens LE to add the remaining width of 0.2 mm only in this second grooving range, the main control section  160  controls, while rotating the lens LE, the movement of the carriage  701  in the horizontal direction (in the axial direction of the chuck shafts  702 L,  702 R) based on the groove path data. Also, in order to have a groove depth of 0.8 mm in this second grooving range, the main control section  160  controls the vertical movement of the carriage  701 . Thus, the processing which is partially different in grooving width and depth is performed with respect to the periphery of the lens LE.  
         [0120]    Description will now be given of the case where the bevel finishing processing and the groove processing are performed over the periphery of the lens LE. For example, it is assumed that the eyeglass frame F shown in FIG. 14 is designed such that a bevel groove is formed in the rim portion  100 , i.e. an upper part of the frame F, and the lens LE is held by the NYROL string in the lower portion (the range  101  indicated by an arrow in the drawing) below the rim portion  100 .  
         [0121]    Similarly to the previous example, when the target lens shape data obtained by the frame shape measuring device  2  is inputted, as shown in FIG. 16, the target lens shape figure  450  is displayed on the display  415 , thus making it ready to input processing conditions and layout conditions. After the layout data is inputted, a processing type change mode is selected by the mode switch  423 , and, in the same way as described above, the divided portions, i.e. the bevel processing range and the grooving range, are determined by the point specification using the rotation of the rotating cursor  451  and the ENT switch  426 . The interval between the first point and the second point to which the rotating cursor  451  has been moved therefrom flashes on and off. Hence, a forced beveling mode is selected by the mode switch  423 , and then determined by the ENT switch  426 . This determination by the ENT switch  426  causes the remaining interval to flash on and off. Hence, in order to form the groove in this range, the forced grooving mode is selected by the mode switch  423 , and determined by the ENT switch  426 .  
         [0122]    In case where the target lens shape data is obtained by measuring the dummy lens using the frame-shape measuring device  2 , the inflection points of the beveling portion and grooving portion can be obtained. Hence, it can also be arranged such that the data on the points with which the processing ranges are defined are automatically inputted based on these inflection points. In this case, it is preferable that the points with which the processing ranges are defined are determined in view of the shape of the joint between the beveling portion and the grooving portion on the basis of the diameter of the finishing abrasive wheel  602   b.    
         [0123]    After the data input of the processing ranges, the start switch  428  is pressed, thereby executing a lens shape measurement. When the result of measurement of the lens LE shape is obtained, based on the edge position information obtained by the lens shape measurement and the data on the respective processing ranges to be subjected to bevel processing and groove processing, the main control section  160  calculates for the bevel path data and groove path data which are the processing data on the respective ranges. At this time, on the basis of the beveling surface shape which the finishing abrasive wheel  602   b  has, the bevel path data is preferably corrected such that the bevel shoulder portion to be formed on the periphery of the lens LE and the plane finishing portion to be subjected to groove processing are smoothly joined.  
         [0124]    When the processing data is obtained, the screen of the display  415  is switched to the simulation screen as shown in FIG. 17. Hence, the values in the “curve” item  460  etc. are changed in the same way as described above to obtain desired bevel path and groove path. Also, each of the grooving depth and width can be changed by putting the cursor  458  on the item  462 ,  463  and then increasing or decreasing the value in the item  462 ,  463  with the switch  424   a  or  424   b . When the curve value, the grooving width or the groove depth is changed, the processing data on each range is calculated again.  
         [0125]    Processing is executed by pressing the start switch  428  again. First, the main control section  160  moves the carriage  701  such that the lens LE is placed above the rough abrasive wheel  602   a , and vertically moves the carriage  701  to perform rough processing in accordance with the rough processing data based on the target lens shape data and the layout data. The rough processing data is calculated, taking into account the grinding margin for bevel finishing processing and the grinding margin for the plane finishing processing prior to grooving.  
         [0126]    Next, the lens LE is moved to the planar portion of the finish abrasive wheel  602   b  to perform plane finishing processing on the peripheral portion where the groove processing is to be performed. This plane finishing processing is performed in accordance with the aforesaid groove processing range data. Namely, the main control section  160  drives the motor  722  to rotate the lens LE held by the two chuck shafts  702 L,  702 R, and also performs the plane finishing processing while, in the range of a radius vector angle where the groove processing is to be performed, pressing the lens LE against the planar portion of the finish abrasive wheel  602   b  by vertically moving the carriage  701 . In any other range than the groove processing range, the carriage  701  is moved such that the lens LE escapes from the finish abrasive wheel  602   b.    
         [0127]    Subsequently, the lens LE is moved to the bevel groove portion of the finish abrasive wheel  602   b  to perform bevel finishing processing. In the range where the bevel finishing processing is to be performed, while moving the carriage  701  vertically and in the axial direction of the chuck shafts  702 L,  702 R based on bevel apex path data, the bevel finishing processing is performed with the lens LE pressed against the bevel groove portion of the finish abrasive wheel  602   b.    
         [0128]    After completion of the finish processing, next, the chamfering and grooving mechanism section  800  is driven to proceed to the groove processing. The main control section  160  raises the carriage  701 , and then rotates the motor  805  by a predetermined number of pulses so that the abrasive wheel  840  placed at the retreated position comes to the processing position. Thereafter, the carriage  701  is moved vertically and in the axial direction, whereby the lens LE is positioned on the grooving abrasive wheel  840   c , thus performing the processing by controlling the movement of the carriage  701  based on the data on the groove path in the aforesaid groove processing range.  
         [0129]    In addition to the above examples, the processing with respect to the periphery of the lens LE can also be executed with the plane finishing processing partially combined. In this case, similarly, the processing range is specified by the rotating cursor  451  on the layout data input screen shown in FIG. 13, 16, and the plane finishing processing is selected by the mode switch  423 , thereby inputting the data for changing the processing range and the processing type.  
         [0130]    Further, the apparatus in the embodiment is provided with a polish abrasive wheel  602   c . Hence, the apparatus can also perform partial polish processing on the lens periphery after the finish processing. In case the polish processing is partially performed, for example, a polish range change mode is selected by a polish switch  427  on the switch panel section  420  with the layout screen shown in FIG. 13 displayed, thus changing to the mode in which the polish processing can be partially specified. Then, in the same way as described above, the rotating cursor  451  is rotated, and two points of the range to be subjected to the polish processing are specified on the target lens shape figure 450. The points are determined by the ENT switch  426 , thereby inputting the data on the range where the polish processing is to be performed.  
         [0131]    In case the partial polish processing is specified, the main control section  160  moves the lens LE to the polish abrasive wheel  602   c  after the bevel finishing processing and the plane finishing processing. In case the polish finishing range is the portion where the bevel finishing processing has been performed, the polish finishing processing is performed by the bevel groove portion of the polish finishing abrasive wheel  602   c  based on the polish finishing range data. In case the polish finishing range is the portion where the plane finishing processing has been performed, the polish finishing processing is performed by the planar portion of the polish finishing abrasive wheel  602   c  based on the polish finishing range data.  
         [0132]    Further, the target lens shape data is obtained by the measurement by means of the frame shape measuring device  2 . In addition, in case the target lens shape data is known beforehand at an eyeglass frame maker, the same data is inputted for use. For example, the two-dimensional code tag  162  including the target lens shape data is attached to the eyeglass frame F. The data is inputted by reading it by the code reader  163  coupled to the main control section  160  (see FIG. 13). Instead of the two-dimensional code tag  162 , an IC chip or an IC card can also be used as a storage medium. Still further, the target lens shape data obtained from the eyeglass frame maker is made to correspond with the model number etc. of an eyeglass frame, and stored in the database of an external computer  165 . Then, the target lens shape data is retrieved by specifying the model number etc. of the eyeglass frame, and inputted to the processing apparatus body side. Furthermore, there can also be adopted a method of using the data downloaded into the external computer  165  coupled to the database of the frame maker via a communication network such as internet etc.  
         [0133]    In case of using such target lens shape data designed at the eyeglass frame maker, if the data includes the range where the processing is to be partially changed (the data on the points where the aforesaid first and second grooving ranges are to be changed, and the data on the points where the beveling and grooving are to be changed), then the need to input by an operator is eliminated. Further, in case of the groove processing, the data of the groove depth and width in each range can be included. Such design data on an eyeglass frame are used intactly, thereby improving the precision of a processed shape.  
         [0134]    In the embodiment, the disk-like grooving abrasive wheel is used as a grinding tool for groove processing. The present invention is also applicable to a case that the groove processing is executed using an end mill.  
         [0135]    As described above, according to the invention, the (kind of) processing to be performed over the lens periphery can be partially changed, thus enabling expansion of the degree of freedom with respect to the design of a frame and a lens.