Proceedings of the
9th International Conference of Nanomanufacturing (nanoMan2024)
December 1 – 4, 2024, Singapore
Machinability of Hydrophobic Acrylic Polymer for Customized Intraocular Lenses
1Laboratory for Precision Machining LFM, Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
2MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bibliothek Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany 3Advanced Medical Implant Consulting, AMIPLANT, Haidling 1, 91220 Schnaittach, Germany 4Institute of Experimental Ophthalmology, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße 100, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany
ABSTRACT
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are critical optical devices surgically implanted to replace the natural crystalline lens in cataract patients, restoring vision and preventing blindness. The precision and surface quality of these lenses are paramount, as they directly influence the visual outcome and patient satisfaction. This work investigates the diamond turning of hydrophobic polymer SHi49 (Contamac Ltd. Saffron Walden, United Kingdom) and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), two materials commonly used in intraocular lens (IOL) manufacturing, focusing on the effects of varying turning speeds, feed rates, and temperatures. The study analyzes cutting forces (Fc), thrust forces (Fp), and surface roughness (Sa) to optimize the machining process. Results show that pre-cooling significantly reduces forces and surface roughness, particularly at higher speeds and moderate feed rates. Cooling is essential for maintaining material stability and achieving superior surface quality in hydrophobic polymer. This research provides valuable insights for the machinability of IOL hydrophobic polymer, enlightening the optimizing direction of IOL production parameters, which is crucial for the success of cataract surgeries and the restoration of patients' vision.
Keywords: Manufacturing (CAM), Material, Diamond Turning, Intraocular Lens, Ultra-Precision.
