Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Kevin Lewellen

John W Sheets, Jr

Stephanie Robinson

A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, alumina, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, and agitated for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, the polished articles are cleaned by agitating them with a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes, alumina, a solvent and a surfactant for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.

Polishing method for soft acrylic articles

A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a cryogenic polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, sodium bicarbonate, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with (a) a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes and (i) sodium hydroxide and water or (ii) alumina, a surfactant and a solvent and (b) the articles to be cleaned, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

Kevin Lewellen