APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOLDING OPTICAL ELEMENT

• Main Author: YOSHIKUNI KEISUKE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.06.2011
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; GLASS; MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES; METALLURGY; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PHYSICS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for molding an optical element the eccentric accuracy of which can be enhanced by making the central axes of upper and lower dies coincident with each other with high accuracy when the optical element is produced by press molding. SOLUTION: The apparatus 1 for molding the optical element includes: a molding die comprising an upper die 11, a lower die 12 and a drum die 13; and a drive means 29 for vertically moving at least one of the upper die 11 and the lower die 12. A base stock 2 for molding the optical element, which is housed in the molding die, is heated to the softening temperature thereof or higher and then the heated base stock is press-molded by the upper die 11 and the lower die 12 into the optical element having a predetermined shape. The apparatus 1 for molding the optical element further includes: a base 28 for supporting the drive means 29; a plurality of guide poles 27 which are erected on the base 28 and each of which has a flow path 27a for circulating a cooling medium for heat exchange in the center part thereof; and a plate 25 on the upper surface of which a lower die holding member 19 for holding the lower die 12 is arranged and which moves vertically according to the vertical movement of the drive means 29 while sliding the guide poles 27. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT