Fast tool servo
Fast tool servo systems are used to produce non-symmetrical (non-axisymmetric) components. This means that as the component rotates the tool can change its depth within one rotation by moving in and out, sometimes many times within one cycle. In the contact lens market this is normally to produce torics which are used to correct astigmatism. In the electrooptic markets the opportunities are even wider; torics, parabolas , freeform optics and lenslet arrays are just a few examples. As the tool is moving rapidly within one rotation\cycle a critical factor is its mass. The heavier the tool the harder it is to move quickly and change direction. Contour has developed a range of tools and toolholders specifically for fast tool servo system. In the contact lens market a range of titanium toolholders and tool carriers have been developed and are used extensively to produce torics. In the electro-optic markets specialised low weight tooling has been developed to match all currently available fast tool systems. These include both titanium toolholders and ultra-light tool carriers.
