Patent ID: 7281967

Claim:
A machine for grinding optical lenses, of the type comprising: a grindstone set mounted rotatably about a first axis; a lens support furnished with means for rotating the lens about a second axis which, at least during grinding, is substantially parallel to said first axis; means for relative axial and radial positioning of the lens support relative to the grindstone set; and a tool-carrier assembly comprising at least one tool mounted integral with a tool-carrier shaft rotatable about a third axis, means for actuating the tool-carrier shaft suitable for moving the tool between a retracted position and an active position in the vicinity of said second axis, the third axis having an inclination that can be varied relative to the second axis, the tool-carrier assembly also comprising means for controlling, on a value dependent on the value of the curvature of the lens, the angle of inclination of the third axis relative to the second axis when the tool is distant from the lens, characterized in that the control means are suitable for retracting the tool-carrier shaft via the control of said angle of inclination.