Ophthalmic lens inpsection system and method

A lens inspection method and apparatus is disclosed comprising a pallet having wells for receiving one or more lens containers at the receiving point. A conveyor achieves uniformity of pallet motion needed in the direction of pallet travel and stability when transporting the lens in the orthogonal, non-translating directions by use of one or more guide rails and a mechanical bias means. Pallet wells for receiving the containers comprise holes that pass through the pallet. These holes along with a side driven transport system make possible an arrangement of a lamp and camera on opposite sides of the lens for capturing an image of a lens. A computer implemented algorithm processes the digitized image according to rules set forth in a program to determine the acceptability of the lenses. A lens disposition mechanism connected to the computer uses a signal generated by the computer and indicates lens acceptability to disposition the lens by physically separating a container with an acceptable lens from an unacceptable lens. After disposition of containers, the pallet is returned by conveyor to the lens receiving point.