Abstract:
A method and a too head (30) are used to machine optically active surfaces, particularly surfaces of progressive spectacle lenses, which are symmetrical in pairs. The spectacle lenses are rotated about a first axis and are displaced along said axis. A machining tool (38,48) is arranged and advanced in such a way that, when the spectacle lens is rotated, a cutting edge (39,60) of the tool (38,48) is guided along the surface about the first axis along a spiral path and along an elevation path defined by the form of the spectacle lens. In order to machine right spectacle lenses and left spectacle lenses, the right spectacle lenses are rotated about the first axis in a first direction of rotation and the left spectacle lenses are rotated in a second counter direction. The tool head (30) has clamping means (32,34) defining an axis (31) of the tool head (30), and is provided with a tool carrier section (36) on whose edge at least one pair (48R, 48L) of lathe tools (48R,48L) are provided. One lathe tool (48R,70R) of the pair (48R,48L) is oriented in one direction and the other lathe tool (48R,48L) of the pair (48R,48L) is oriented in the opposite direction. At least one of the lathe tools (48R,48L), preferably all of said tools, is provided with means of adjustment (52-57) which enable the point of engagement (62) of the rotary cutting edge (60) to be adjusted.