JP2007136842A - Apparatus and method for producing molding - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and method for producing a molding which can provide a molding having micro-machining, high dimensional accuracy, low residual stress, low birefringence, high light transmission properties, and excellent mechanical strength by a super-low pressure molding process in a three dimensional, thin wall thickness, large area shape. <P>SOLUTION: The production apparatus 1 has a resin melting part 21, a resin delivery part 22, and a discharge part 23 and is equipped with a means 2 for applying a molten resin on a lower mold 100, a press means 3 for pressing the molten resin, a heating means 4 which is set in the preceding stage of the press means 3 and heats the lower mold 100 when the molten resin is applied, and a moving means 5 moving the lower mold 100. While the lower mold 100 is heated by the heating means 4 and moved by the moving means 5, the molten resin is applied on a surface to be coated by a means 2, the lower mold 100 is moved, and the molten resin is pressed by the press means 3, cooled while its shape is arranged, and solidified to obtain the molding. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a molded body manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method, and more specifically, a molded body having ultrafine processing, high dimensional accuracy, low residual stress, low birefringence, high light transmittance, and excellent mechanical strength. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a molded body that can be provided with a three-dimensional, thin, and large-area shape even in an ultra-low pressure molding process.

  Currently, a molded article having an ultra-fine irregular shape of several tens of nm to several hundred μm on the surface, and a three-dimensional, thin, and large-area shape is an optical component for electronic displays such as a microlens array, There is a demand for optical information communication components such as multimode optical waveguides, life science components such as microchemical chips, and the like.

  The following is the prior art of the manufacturing method of the molded article which has such a fine uneven part on the surface.

  Patent Document 1 aims to provide a method for efficiently producing a thin and large optical molded article having excellent light transmittance, low birefringence, and mechanical strength characteristics, and having fine irregularities. The lower die of a press molding machine comprising an upper die and a lower die provided with a fine unevenness having a height or depth of less than 50 μm on the cavity surface of at least one die and provided at a distance. The molten halogen-free thermoplastic resin is supplied, and the molten resin is pressed while the temperature of the molten resin is in the temperature range of (Tg + 10 ° C.) or more and less than (Tg + 150 ° C.) with respect to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin. A method for producing an optical molded body is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 accurately forms a fine concavo-convex pattern, eliminates non-uniform filling of resin, improves releasability, eliminates temperature unevenness of the product at the time of demolding, and has a large area and thin molding without warping. For the purpose of providing a production method suitable for obtaining a body, a molten alicyclic structure is formed in a cavity formed by a movable mold whose inner surface is coated with diamond-like carbon and a fixed mold. A method for producing a molded body is disclosed, which comprises filling a containing polymer resin and then compressing the molten resin with a movable mold.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a base material prepared with a mold having a transfer surface on which a concavo-convex pattern is formed and softened by heating to a specific temperature for the purpose of providing a method for efficiently and accurately transferring a fine shape. In addition, a fine shape transfer method is disclosed in which, after pressing and pressing the transfer surface, the mold is forcibly pulled away from the base material at a specific temperature to transfer the reverse pattern of the concavo-convex pattern onto the surface of the base material. Has been.

  In Patent Document 4, for the purpose of providing an optical article having an optical element such as a fine Fresnel lens, a lenticular lens, or a prism lens with high quality and at a low cost, a fine uneven shape of a mold is formed using a slit nozzle. An optical article manufacturing method including a step of coating and forming a radiation curable resin liquid on the entire surface is disclosed.

In Patent Document 5, a fine concavo-convex pattern is provided for the purpose of providing a fine pattern transfer processing method capable of forming a fine concavo-convex pattern including a light wavelength or less, which is inexpensive and mass-produced, on a transfer target. The transfer body is prepared, the material to be transferred is melted by heating, poured onto the uneven pattern of the transfer body, and then cooled to solidify the material to be transferred and the unevenness A fine pattern transfer processing method is disclosed in which a pattern is transferred, then separated from the transfer body and taken out as a transfer target.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-21475 JP 2004-98580 A JP 2001-26052 A JP 2002-268146 A JP 2000-39702 A

  However, in the above prior art, defects such as optical distortion and warpage of the molded body, dimensional change of the fine uneven pattern due to heat shrinkage, etc. occur (Patent Document 1), and high pressure is required for the press (Patent Document). 1, 2, 5), unsuitable for the manufacture of molded products with a three-dimensional thin-walled large area (Patent Documents 2 and 3), and the occurrence of defective products due to scattering of resin liquid (Patent Document 4) There is a point.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to form a molded body having ultrafine processing, high dimensional accuracy, low residual stress, low birefringence, high light transmittance, and excellent mechanical strength, even in an ultra-low pressure molding process, in a three-dimensional manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a molded body that can be provided with a thin and large-area shape.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a resin melting part that melts and transports a thermoplastic resin, a resin sending part that is connected to the resin melting part and sends a molten resin that flows in a specified amount, and the resin sending part. A molten resin coating means having a discharge unit that applies the molten resin fed from the upper surface to the coated surface on the lower mold;
An upper mold for pressing the molten resin applied on the lower mold, an upper mold heating / cooling unit for heating or cooling the upper mold, and a lower mold heating / cooling for heating or cooling the lower mold Pressing means having a section;
A heating unit that is provided in a preceding stage of the pressing unit and that heats the lower mold when the molten resin is applied; and a moving unit that moves the lower mold;
With
The lower mold is heated by the heating means, the molten resin is applied to the coated surface on the lower mold by the molten resin application means while moving the lower mold by the moving means, and then Furthermore, the lower mold is moved by the moving means, the applied molten resin is pressed by the pressing means, and the molded body is obtained by cooling and solidifying while adjusting the shape of the resin. It is.

  The invention of claim 2 uses a plurality of the lower molds and connects them to form an endless track, while applying the molten resin to the surface to be coated while rotating the endless track by the moving means. 2. The molded body according to claim 1, wherein the molded body is continuously manufactured on the plurality of lower molds by subsequently pressing the molten resin by the pressing means. It is a manufacturing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 3 uses a plurality of the lower molds, places them on a horizontal stage, and applies the molten resin to the surface to be coated while moving the lower mold horizontally by the moving means. And subsequently pressing the molten resin by the pressing means to continuously produce a molded body on the plurality of lower molds. It is a body manufacturing device.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the molded body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fine uneven portion is provided in at least one of the upper mold and the lower mold. .

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the fine irregularities are formed by directly processing at least one surface of the upper mold and the lower mold. It is a manufacturing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the fine concavo-convex portion is formed by mounting a stamper processed with a fine concavo-convex shape on at least one surface of the upper mold and the lower mold. It is the manufacturing apparatus of the molded object of Claim 4.

  The invention of claim 7 further comprises means for moving the application surface on the lower mold in the vertical direction so that the distance between the tip of the discharge part and the application surface on the lower mold can be adjusted. It is provided, It is a manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the invention according to claim 8, the means for moving the surface to be coated on the lower mold in the vertical direction is a means for moving the heating means up and down, whereby the tip of the discharge part and the lower mold The distance from the surface to be coated is adjusted, and the molten resin is coated on the surface to be coated on the heating means.

  The invention of claim 9 is a vertical movement stage in which the means for moving the coated surface on the lower mold in the vertical direction moves the lower mold up and down independently of the heating means. Then, the distance between the tip of the discharge part and the application surface on the lower mold is adjusted, and the molten resin is applied to the application surface on the vertical movement stage. It is the manufacturing apparatus of the molded object as described in any one of.

  The invention of claim 10 further comprises means for moving the tip of the discharge part in the vertical direction so that the distance between the tip of the discharge part and the coated surface on the lower mold can be adjusted. It is a manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The invention of claim 11 further comprises preheating means for preheating the lower mold, further upstream of the heating means. It is a manufacturing device.

  The invention according to a twelfth aspect is the apparatus for producing a molded body according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the preheating means is means for heating the lower mold by thermal radiation or heat transfer.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the molten resin application means includes a resin delivery unit having a function of melting a thermoplastic resin and an injection function of injecting the molten resin in a specified amount, and a molten resin delivered from the resin delivery unit. It is comprised from the discharge part apply | coated to the to-be-coated surface on the said lower metal mold | die from upper direction, It is a manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-12 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the molten resin coating means has a function of melting a thermoplastic resin and a resin delivery part comprising an extruder for extruding the molten resin with a specified amount, and a molten resin delivered from the resin delivery part. It is comprised from the discharge part apply | coated to the to-be-coated surface on the said lower metal mold | die from upper direction, It is a manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-12 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the molded body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, wherein the discharge portion is formed of a T die.

  The invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that the discharge part is provided with a discharge width adjusting part for adjusting the width of the molten resin to be discharged. It is a manufacturing apparatus.

  The invention of claim 17 further comprises means for controlling the sequence of the molten resin application means, press means, heating means and moving means based on preset operation conditions and operation order. Item 17. The molded body production apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 16.

The invention of claim 18 is a method of producing a molded body using the production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
(1) the step of heating the lower mold to a temperature at which the molten resin adheres to the surface to be coated by the heating means; and (2) the molten resin coating means while moving the lower mold by the moving means. (3) The lower mold is moved by the moving means, and the applied molten resin is pressed by the pressing means to form the shape of the resin. And a step of cooling and solidifying to obtain a molded product.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the step (1), the heating means is constantly heated to a temperature higher than a temperature at which the molten resin adheres to the coated surface. It is a manufacturing method of a body.

  According to the present invention, a molded body having ultra-fine processing, high dimensional accuracy, low residual stress, low birefringence, high light transmission, and excellent mechanical strength can be obtained in three dimensions, even in an ultra-low pressure molding process. It is possible to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a molded body that can be provided with a thin-walled and large-area shape.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining an embodiment of the production apparatus of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a molten resin application means 2 for applying a molten resin to an application surface 101 on a lower mold 100, and adjusting the shape of the resin by pressing the applied molten resin. A press unit 3 for cooling and solidifying to obtain a molded body, a heating unit 4 for heating the lower mold 100 when applying the molten resin, and a moving unit 5 for moving the lower mold 100 are provided in front of the press unit 3. And is composed mainly of. FIG. 1 shows a form in which a plurality of lower molds 100 are used, connected to form an endless track, and the endless track is rotated by the moving means 5.

  The molten resin application means 2 includes a resin melting part 21 that melts and transports a thermoplastic resin, a resin delivery part 22 that is connected to the resin melting part 21, sends a molten resin that has flowed in a specified amount, and a resin delivery It is mainly comprised from the discharge part 23 which apply | coats the molten resin sent out from the part 22 to the to-be-coated surface on the lower metal mold | die 100 from upper direction. The resin melting part 21 and the resin delivery part 22 are connected by a heatable flow path 24 having flexibility.

  As the resin melting section 21, an extruder known in the art can be used. As is well known, such an extruder is a cylinder 211 and a screw 212 for plasticizing and melting a solid resin. A screw rotation mechanism 213 for rotating the screw 212, a hopper 214 for introducing solid resin into the cylinder 211, and a heater 215 as a heating means on the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder 211, which are illustrated as necessary. Has no cooling means.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the resin delivery unit 22 is preferably a storage cylinder that temporarily stores the molten resin that has flowed in and then delivers the resin in a specified amount.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a storage cylinder used in the present invention.
In FIG. 2, a storage cylinder 221 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, a cylinder 2211 that stores molten resin, a piston 2212 that is provided in the cylinder 2211 and that pushes and sends out the molten resin by a specified amount, and moves the piston back and forth. Piston drive means 2213. The storage cylinder 221 has a heater 2214 as a heating means on the outer peripheral portion, and has a cooling means (not shown) as necessary. As shown in FIG. 2, a gap 2215 through which the molten resin can pass is provided between the cylinder 2211 and the piston 2212, and when the molten resin flows from the resin melting portion 21 through the inflow port 2216, The molten resin flows in the direction of the arrow through the gap 2215. By setting the flow rate of the molten resin faster, the molten resin can be prevented from staying. The size of the gap 2215 is such that the flow rate of the molten resin passing through is made as fast as possible, and at the same time, the molten resin does not stay there, and when the molten resin is allowed to flow in, an excessive pressure load is not applied to the molten resin portion 21. What is necessary is just to determine suitably, For example, it is about several mm, specifically 0.5-5 mm.
As the molten resin flows in, the piston driving means 2213 is operated to move the piston 2212 backward as shown in FIG. By this operation, the molten resin is gradually stored from the tip end portion (discharge portion side) of the cylinder 2211. Separately from this, the piston 2212 is moved backward by the piston driving means 2213 to a place where a predetermined amount of molten resin can be stored, and then the molten resin is caused to flow from the resin melting portion 21 so that the predetermined amount of molten resin is introduced into the cylinder 2211. You may make it accumulate gradually from a part. When the storage of the molten resin is completed with the specified amount, the piston driving means 2213 is operated, the piston 2212 is advanced by a predetermined distance, and the specified amount of the molten resin can be delivered. The position control accuracy and speed accuracy of the piston 2212 are required to be relatively high. Therefore, it is preferable to use means using a mechanism that can easily ensure accuracy, such as a method of combining a servo motor and a ball screw, as the piston driving means 2213.

According to such a configuration, the molten resin that has flowed in first is first sent to the discharge portion and applied. Therefore, thermal deterioration due to a long residence time of the molten resin (transparent resin is yellowed (discolored) or browned (black spot)) is prevented. In addition, in the form of FIG. 1, although the resin melting part 21 and the resin delivery part 22 are connected by the heatable flow path 24 which has flexibility, flow paths, such as an inflexible steel pipe, In this case, it is preferable to connect the two with a short flow path because the residence time of the molten resin is shortened and the problem of thermal deterioration is further prevented. However, when the discharge part 23 is moved in the vertical direction as described below, it is necessary to move the entire molten resin coating means 2 when using a flow path such as a non-flexible steel pipe, which is disadvantageous in this respect. There is also. In addition, when a molded body is manufactured using a molten resin that has undergone thermal degradation, for example, when the usage of the molded body is an optical product, desired light transmittance, refractive index, and the like may not be obtained.
If the gap 2215 through which the molten resin can pass is not provided, the cylinder 2211 and the piston 2212 come into contact with each other, and metal powder is generated due to friction between both metals, which may adversely affect the product. In the storage cylinder 221, since a gap 2215 is provided between the cylinder 2211 and the piston 2212, such metal powder is not generated.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the molten resin that first flows into the cylinder 2211 does not enter the storage cylinder 221 in the direction opposite to the tip of the cylinder 2211 (on the piston driving means 2213 side). A backflow prevention unit 2217 that does not allow the molten resin to pass therethrough is provided. The backflow prevention unit 2217 forms a curved surface from the molten resin inflow port 2216 toward the front end portion of the cylinder 2211 so that the molten resin is easily guided to the front end portion of the cylinder 2211.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable to provide a resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 for controlling the flow rate of the molten resin flowing from the flow path 24 upstream of the inflow port 2216.
In one embodiment of the present invention, after the molten resin has been stored in the cylinder 2211 of the storage cylinder 221, the piston driving means 2213 is operated to move the piston 2212 forward by a predetermined distance, and a specified amount of molten resin is discharged to the discharge portion 23. The amount of molten resin delivered is determined by the volume of the molded body. Therefore, in order to manufacture the molded body with high accuracy, it is necessary to store the molten resin in the cylinder 2211 with a controlled amount and to send the molten resin. However, after the molten resin is stored, when a pressure difference occurs between the resin melting part 21 and the storage cylinder 221 (normally, the molten resin pressure in the resin melting part 21 increases), the molten resin in the molten resin part 21 is more than necessary. It flows in, exceeds the specified amount, and the amount of molten resin stored becomes excessive, making it impossible to manufacture a molded body with high accuracy. Therefore, a resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 is provided upstream of the inflow port 2216, and when the molten resin is stored in the cylinder 2211, the resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 is closed and the molten resin flows from the resin melting portion 21. Shut off. As a result, a specified amount of molten resin can be stored.
Further, after the storage of the molten resin is completed, the piston driving means 2213 is operated, the piston 2211 is moved forward by a predetermined distance, and a prescribed amount of molten resin is sent to the discharge unit 23. It is preferable to keep 2218 closed. By closing the resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218, it is possible to prevent the molten resin delivery pressure due to the advance of the piston 2212 from escaping to the resin melting portion 21 via the flow path 24. Thereby, a specified amount of molten resin is sent to the discharge part 23, and as a result, a molded object can be manufactured accurately.

  The resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 is not particularly limited as long as it can block the molten resin flow path (flow path 24) and control the inflow / outflow of the molten resin. Thus, a known valve capable of communicating / blocking the flow path 24 can be used. Apart from this, a known rotary valve can also be used.

  Further, in the present invention, the discharge unit 23 for discharging the molten resin delivered from the resin delivery unit 22 onto the coated surface from above or coating the coated surface of the mold is not particularly limited. It is preferably a T die that is deformed into a (film) shape and discharged. Further, it is more preferable that the discharge unit 23 includes a discharge width adjusting unit for adjusting the width of the discharged molten resin. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the discharge width adjusting unit attaches a gate 232 that changes the discharge width to the discharge port 231 so that the discharge width of the discharge port can be continuously changed. A configuration in which the coating is performed while sequentially changing the position of the gate 232 so as to obtain a desired coating shape. Normally, the discharge part 23 is directly connected to the resin delivery part 22. The discharge of the molten resin from the discharge unit 23 can be controlled by opening / closing the resin flow path opening / closing valve 233. The structure of the resin flow path opening / closing valve 233 is the same as the resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 described above.

Further, unlike the embodiment described above, the molten resin application means in the present invention has a function of melting a thermoplastic resin and an injection function of injecting a molten resin in a specified amount, and a resin delivery unit that delivers the resin from the resin delivery unit. And a discharge unit that applies the molten resin to the surface to be applied while applying the molten resin from above.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining such a molten resin coating means 2 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, the molten resin application means 2 ′ includes a resin delivery unit 62 having a function of melting a thermoplastic resin and an injection function of injecting the molten resin in a specified amount, and a molten resin delivered from the resin delivery unit 62. It is mainly comprised from the discharge part 23 which apply | coats to an application | coating surface from upper direction. In this embodiment, a cylinder for an injection molding machine can be used as the resin delivery unit 62. For example, the cylinder has a through-hole 622 in which the overall shape is cylindrical and the screw 621 is provided. A plurality of heaters 625 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and cooling means (not shown) is attached as necessary. The screw 621 is configured to be rotationally driven by the driving means 623 and to be driven in the front-rear direction.
When the solid resin is introduced from the hopper 624, the solid resin is sent in the direction of the tip by the rotation of the screw 621 in the cylinder. At this time, since the cylinder is heated by the heater 625, the heat transfer from the cylinder and the screw 621 are performed. The solid resin is melted by the shear heat generated by the rotation of. After a predetermined amount of molten resin is stored at the tip, the screw 621 is advanced, and a prescribed amount of molten resin is delivered to the discharge unit 23.

Furthermore, the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention may use an extruder instead of the resin delivery part 62 having the function of melting the thermoplastic resin and the injection function of injecting the molten resin in a specified amount in the form of FIG. it can. As is well known, an extruder is provided with a cylinder, a screw inside the cylinder, and drive means for rotationally driving the screw. In this case, the discharge amount of the molten resin can be adjusted by the number of rotations per unit time of the screw, and the total discharge amount can be adjusted by the rotation time.
Moreover, the resin melting part 21 may superpose | polymerize a thermoplastic resin with a superposition | polymerization kettle or a polymerization tank, and may supply the obtained molten resin to the resin delivery part 22, and this shall also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  Next, the pressing means 3 will be described. The press means 3 is a means for obtaining a molded body by pressing the applied molten resin and cooling and solidifying it while adjusting the shape of the resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing means 3 includes an upper mold 31 that presses the molten resin applied on the lower mold 100, an upper mold heating / cooling unit 311 that heats or cools the upper mold 31, and And a lower mold heating / cooling section 32 for heating or cooling the lower mold 100.

The press in the press means 3 is realized by a precision force generator that can open and close the mold by moving at least one of the upper and lower molds and can perform clamping and pressing, for example, a vertical press machine. .
In the form shown in FIG. 1, the vertical press machine 33 as described above is used as the pressing means 3, and the upper mold 31 is attached to the vertical press machine 33.

The pressing means 3 includes an upper mold heating / cooling unit 311 for heating or cooling the upper mold 31 and a lower mold heating / cooling unit 32 for heating or cooling the lower mold 100.
There are various methods for providing such a heating and cooling unit.
In order to achieve the heating, for example, there are the following methods.
(1) A method in which a heat medium such as temperature-controlled water (hot water) or oil is circulated through the flow path of the medium provided in the heating / cooling section and heated. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 employs this method. A flow path for the medium is provided in the upper mold 31 and the lower mold heating / cooling section 32, and a heating medium is circulated and heated.
(2) A method in which an electric heater such as a plate heater or a cartridge heater is attached to the heating section for heating.
(3) A method of heating the surface of the heating / cooling unit by irradiating infrared rays with a device that emits infrared rays, such as a halogen lamp and a far infrared heater.
(4) A method of induction heating.
(5) A method in which a heating film is heated by forming a thin conductive film on the surface of the heating / cooling unit body as an electrical insulator and energizing the conductive film.

In order to achieve the cooling, for example, there are the following methods.
(1) A method in which temperature-controlled water is circulated through a flow path of a medium provided in the heating / cooling section to cool the medium. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 employs this method. A flow path for the medium is provided in the upper mold 31 and the lower mold heating / cooling section 32, and temperature-controlled water is circulated and heated therein. In the form shown in FIG. 1, the same flow path is used for heating and cooling, but a heating flow path and a cooling flow path may be provided separately to increase the heating or cooling rate. .
(2) A method of using cooling air as a medium in the form (1).
(3) A method of cooling the surface of the heating / cooling unit by spraying air or a mist mixed with volatile liquid (which changes phase from liquid to gas on the cavity surface) and gas.
(4) A method of cooling by transporting and releasing the heat inside the mold out of the mold with a heat pipe.
(5) A method of cooling by removing heat inside or on the surface of the heating / cooling section with an electric cooler such as a Peltier element.

  The lower mold 100 and the lower mold heating / cooling section 32 may be held so as not to be peeled off by a vacuum force, or may be mechanically restrained and held by a claw or the like.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a heating unit 4 that heats the lower mold 100 and a moving unit 5 that moves the lower mold 100 when the molten resin is applied.
Examples of the heating means 4 include those employing a heating method similar to that of the lower mold heating / cooling section 32. The moving means 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can move the lower mold 100 in a desired direction. Specific examples will be described later.

  The basic structure of the production apparatus of the present invention is as described above. Hereinafter, a process for producing a molded body using the production apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  In the form of FIG. 1, the lower mold 100 is arranged in the coating direction and connected in an annular shape via a connecting member 103 to form an endless track, and the moving means 5 moves the lower mold 100 by rotating the endless track. It is like that. The moving means 5 has a prismatic structure with a hexagonal cross section, and the width direction (the application direction and the application direction) of the lower mold 100 on a plane extending in the Y direction in FIG. 1 (the direction extending in front of the paper surface in FIG. 1). The lower mold can be moved in the X direction (coating direction) simultaneously with the rotation of the moving means 5 by supporting (orthogonal direction) and engaging with an arbitrary place on the lower surface of the lower mold 100. In the form of FIG. 1, a hole (not shown) is provided in the connecting member 103, the hole is engaged with a protrusion formed by the apex of the hexagonal section of the moving means 5, and the lowering is caused by the rotation of the moving means 5 in the arrow direction. The mold is moved in the X direction (application direction). In FIG. 1, Z is the vertical direction.

  Moreover, according to the form of FIG. 1, the preheating means 7 which preheats the lower metal mold | die 100 in the front | former stage of the heating means 4 is further provided. In the form of FIG. 1, the preheating means 7 is installed at two places, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be installed at one place or two or more places. For example, an infrared lamp (a means for heating by radiation) can be used as the preheating means 7, but the lower mold 100 may be heated by heat transfer using heated air or the like. At this time, the preheating means 7 may always perform heating with a constant output (no control), and for example, a non-contact type from the back side of the lower mold 100 (opposite side of the heated surface). While measuring the temperature of the lower mold 100 with the temperature sensor, the heating amount may be controlled so as to become a preset temperature. Providing the preheating means 7 is preferable because the heating time of the lower mold 100 in the subsequent heating means 4 is shortened and productivity is improved.

The lower mold 100 preheated by the preheating means 7 moves to the installation place of the heating means 4 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first place) by the rotation of the moving means 5.
In this first place, the lower mold 100 comes into contact with, for example, the plate-like heating means 4 and is rapidly heated. Here, the heating unit 4 may always perform heating with a constant output (no control is performed), and measure the temperature of the lower mold 100 with a temperature sensor so that the temperature is set in advance. The amount of heating may be controlled. The form in which the heating means 4 is always heated is preferable because the reproducibility of the heating temperature of the lower mold 100 is enhanced and the quality of the product does not vary.

  After the lower mold 100 is heated to a temperature at which the molten resin adheres to the coated surface by the heating means 4, the endless track is rotated by the moving means 5. Thereby, the movement of the lower mold 100 is started. When the lower mold 100 starts to move, the molten resin is discharged from the discharge portion 23 of the molten resin applying means 2 so that the surface to be coated on the lower mold 100 is moved without moving the molten resin applying means 2 in the X direction. The molten resin can be applied thinly and uniformly. In the present invention, since the molten resin is applied by moving the lower mold 100 in the X direction without moving the molten resin applying means 2 in the X direction, the entire molten resin applying means 2 is moved in the X direction. Compared to a large-scale device configuration, the device configuration can be simplified. The thickness of application of the molten resin can be adjusted by the distance between the tip of the discharge portion 23 and the surface to be applied, the discharge amount of the molten resin, and the rotational speed of the endless track. When the lower mold 100 moves to the application end position, the resin discharge from the discharge unit 23 is stopped. Details of the process of applying the molten resin to the surface to be applied on the lower mold 100 by the molten resin applying means 2 will be described later.

In addition, when the coated surface on the lower mold 100 has a convex portion or a concave portion, the discharge portion 23 is discharged so that the tip end portion can move along the shape of the coated surface on the lower mold 100. It is preferable to provide means capable of adjusting the distance between the tip of the portion 23 and the application surface on the lower mold 100, for example, means for moving the application surface in the vertical direction. By providing such means, it is possible to operate in the vertical direction more quickly than in the case of a large-scale apparatus configuration in which the entire molten resin coating means 2 is moved in the vertical direction, and thus productivity can be improved.
As an example of such means, as shown in FIG. 1, a method in which the actuator 42 is installed on the heating means 4 and the heating means 4 is moved up and down; a lower mold 100 provided independently of the heating means 4. There is a method of moving the lower mold 100 up and down by a vertically moving stage that moves up and down. In the latter method, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire heating means 4 is not moved up and down, but only the lower mold 100 is moved by a vertical movement stage 92 having an actuator 91 provided separately from the heating means 4. The distance between the tip end portion 93 of the discharge portion 23 and the lower mold 100 is adjusted by the vertical movement.

Subsequently, the lower mold 100 to which the molten resin is applied moves to a place where the press means 3 is installed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a second place) by the rotation of the moving means 5.
In this second place, the molten resin applied by the pressing means 3 is pressed, and cooled and solidified while adjusting the shape of the resin to obtain a molded body. In the form of FIG. 1, a vertical press machine 33 is used. An upper mold 31 is attached to the vertical press machine 33, and the upper mold 31 is moved to move the molten resin on the coated surface on the lower mold 100. Is configured to press. Further, as described above, the press means 3 includes the upper mold heating / cooling unit 311 for heating or cooling the upper mold 31 and the lower mold heating / cooling unit 32 for heating or cooling the lower mold 100.
After the lower mold 100 is moved to the second location, the upper mold 31 is immediately moved to close both molds. The positioning of the lower mold 100 and the upper mold 31 is performed, for example, by inserting a guide pin 312 attached to the upper mold 31 into the guide pin insertion hole 102 of the lower mold 100. Of course, a means for detecting the position of the lower mold 100 and an actuator for moving the lower mold 100 in the X and Y directions based on the detected result are provided, and positioning is performed so that the upper mold 31 is fitted. Also good.

By the pressing force, the applied molten resin is pressed into, for example, a fine concavo-convex shape to transfer the concavo-convex shape with high accuracy, and at the same time, a desired shape formed in the mold closed space is given. Since the pressing means 3 includes the upper mold heating / cooling section 311 and the lower mold heating / cooling section 32, the upper mold 31 and the lower mold 100 can be individually heated and cooled. For example, if the lower mold heating / cooling unit 32 is always cooled to a constant temperature (a temperature at which the molten resin is solidified), the lower mold 100 is rapidly cooled. Thereby, internal resin is also cooled rapidly and it becomes possible to obtain a molded object in a short time. If it is not desired to cool the upper and lower molds at the initial stage of pressing, the upper mold 31 and the lower mold 100 may be heated and cooling of the upper and lower molds may be started after the press is started. If the molded body is cooled while the pressing force is applied, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects such as sink marks accompanying the volume shrinkage of the resin, and to obtain a high-quality molded body with high dimensional accuracy.
After the press is completed and the upper mold 31 is opened, the endless track is rotated by the moving means 5, the lower mold 100 is moved to the subsequent stage of the second place, and the product is peeled from the lower mold 100 by the peeling means 8. You may let them. In the past, since the peeling means was inserted into the mold and peeled off the molded body, either the mold opening / closing stroke was increased or the peeling device itself was required to have a thin structure. In the present invention, since the lower mold 100 moves to the peeling site, there is no such restriction on the apparatus.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining another embodiment of the production apparatus of the present invention.
The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, except that the molten resin coating means 2 ′ in the first place is composed of a cylinder and a discharge part of an injection molding machine. The cylinder includes a resin delivery part 62 having a function of melting a thermoplastic resin and an injection function of injecting a molten resin in a specified amount, and a discharge part 23. The discharge part 23 is a resin delivery part as described above. The molten resin delivered from 62 has a function of coating the coated surface on the lower mold 100 from above.
In the form shown in FIG. 7, the molten resin application means 2 ′ is supported by a support member 63, and the molten resin application means 2 ′ is rotated about the fulcrum 631 of the support member 63, thereby rotating the tip of the discharge unit 23. The portion can be moved in the vertical direction, and the distance from the surface to be coated on the lower mold 100 can be adjusted.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the resin melting part 21 and the resin delivery part 22 are divided, the resin delivery part 22 is rotated in the same manner as described above, and the discharge part 23 is moved in the vertical direction. Also good. Moreover, when the resin melting part 21 and the resin delivery part 22 are connected by a non-flexible flow path such as a steel pipe, the entire molten resin application means 2 is moved in the vertical direction.
In the form of FIG. 7, the heating means 4 in the first place is composed of a support member 42 of the lower mold 100 and an infrared lamp 43, and the lower mold 100 is a support member 42 made of an infrared transmitting material. It is supported and heated by an infrared lamp 43 from the back side.
In the form of FIG. 7, the press means 3 is configured to be movable in the X direction on the rail 34. For example, when the cooling time of the lower mold 100 is expected to be insufficient, the entire pressing means 3 is moved in the X direction while the pressed state is maintained, the upper mold 31 is opened, and then the original position is returned. Thereafter, the endless track may be rotated by the moving unit 5, the lower mold 100 may be moved to the subsequent stage of the second location, and the product may be peeled from the lower mold 100 by the peeling unit 8.
As described above, a known extruder may be used instead of the cylinder of the injection molding machine in the molten resin coating means 2 ′.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining another embodiment of the production apparatus of the present invention.
The third embodiment uses the same molten resin coating means 2 as in the first embodiment. However, as shown in the second embodiment, the resin delivery section 22 is rotated and the discharge section 23 is set in the vertical direction. It is possible to move to.
In the form of FIG. 8, the lower mold 100 reciprocates at least between the first place and the second place by a moving means (not shown). The difference from the first and second embodiments is that the lower mold 100 is not connected to form an endless track, but moves horizontally in the X direction.
In the form of FIG. 8, the lower mold 100 may be moved to the subsequent stage of the second place by a moving means (not shown), and the product may be peeled from the lower mold 100 by the peeling means 8.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view for explaining another embodiment of the production apparatus of the present invention.
In the fourth embodiment, eight lower molds 100 are used (shown as a plan view in FIG. 9), and the lower molds 100 are sequentially moved horizontally in a “B” shape by a moving means (not shown). This is an example.
In FIG. 9, (1) is the first place, the lower mold 100 is heated by the heating means 4, and the lower mold 100 is moved in the X direction by the moving means (not shown) by the molten resin coating means 2. A molten resin is applied to an application surface on the lower mold 100. (2) is the second place, where the molten resin applied by the pressing means 3 is pressed, cooled and solidified while adjusting the shape of the resin, and a molded body is obtained. In the place of (3), for example, a peeling means 8 is provided, and the product is peeled from the lower mold 100. Although not shown in particular in the places (4) to (6), there is a grace period for performing work as necessary, such as cleaning the coated surface of the lower mold 100. In the places (7) and (8), the preliminary mold 7 is preheated by the preheating means 7.
In the present invention, the number of lower molds 100 is not particularly limited.

In the above description, the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention have been described according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. The coating can be performed by performing the following steps (a) to (d).
(A) a step of melting the thermoplastic resin in the resin melting portion 21;
(B) The step of allowing the obtained molten resin to flow into the resin delivery section 22 and storing it;
(C) a step of delivering the molten resin stored in the resin delivery unit 22 in a specified amount; and (d) the lower mold 100 is moved using the discharge unit 23 while the lower mold 100 is moved by the moving means 5. The process of apply | coating to the coated surface on the type | mold 100 from upper direction, and apply | coating to a coated surface.
In addition, in the following description, although the form which uses the storage cylinder which sends out the specified amount after having once stored the molten resin which flowed in as the resin delivery part 22 is illustrated as an example in FIG. It is not limited to the following examples.

In the step (a), solid resin is introduced into the cylinder 211 from the hopper 214 of the resin melting portion 21, and the solid resin is melted by heating of the outer peripheral portion of the cylinder 211 and shearing heat due to rotation of the screw 212.
The solid resin is not particularly limited. PI), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyacetal (POM), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride ( PVC), polyphenylene oxide (PPO) or a mixture thereof. Further, a thermoplastic resin specially manufactured in accordance with the performance required for the molded body may be used. For thermoplastic resins, various fillers such as glass fiber and carbon, heat stabilizer, weather stabilizer, antistatic agent, slip agent, antiblocking agent, antifogging agent, lubricant, dye, pigment, Various known additives such as natural oils, synthetic oils and waxes can also be blended.

  Next, in the step (b), the molten resin is caused to flow into the storage cylinder 221 through the connection channel 24. The storage cylinder 221 is provided with a gap portion 2215 through which the molten resin can pass between the cylinder 2211 and the piston 2212, and when the molten resin flows from the resin melting portion 21 through the inlet 2216, this gap The molten resin flows in the direction of the arrow through the portion 2215. The piston 2212 is moved backward by the piston driving means 2213 together with the inflow of the molten resin from the resin melting portion 21, and a predetermined amount of the molten resin is gradually stored from the tip of the cylinder 2211. As described above, it is preferable to close the resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 and shut off the inflow of the molten resin from the resin melting portion 21 after the storage is completed.

  Subsequently, in step (c), the molten resin stored in the storage cylinder 2211 is sent to the discharge unit 23 in a specified amount. The molten resin is delivered by advancing the piston 2212 by a predetermined distance by the operation of the piston driving means 2213. By the advance of the piston 2212, the molten resin that has flowed in first is first sent to the discharge unit 23 and applied, and thermal deterioration due to a long residence time of the molten resin is prevented. When the molten resin is delivered, it is preferable to close the resin flow path opening / closing valve 2218 to prevent the molten resin delivery pressure due to the advance of the piston 2212 from escaping to the resin melting portion 21 via the flow path 24.

Next, in the step (d), the molten resin is applied to the surface to be coated from above using the discharge unit 23 while moving the lower mold 100 by the moving means 5.
As described above, the discharge unit 23 is, for example, a T die and preferably includes a discharge width adjusting unit for adjusting the width of the discharged molten resin. The discharge of the molten resin from the discharge unit 23 is controlled by opening / closing the resin flow path opening / closing valve 233.
Further, the amount of molten resin applied (for example, the thickness) is controlled by adjusting the distance between the tip of the discharge portion 23 and the surface to be coated, the amount of molten resin discharged from the discharge portion 23 and the moving speed of the moving means 5. can do.

Here, in order to produce a molded body having an ultra fine uneven shape on the surface of several tens of nm to several hundred μm, the reverse shape of the fine uneven shape is applied to the coated surface of the lower mold or the upper mold. It is formed on the cavity surface.
For example, the fine uneven shape is processed directly on at least one surface of the upper mold and the lower mold, or a stamper having a fine uneven portion is mounted on at least one surface of the upper mold and the lower mold. Can be formed.
Such a fine concavo-convex shape can be formed using a semiconductor process such as a photolithography method, an electroforming method, or an ion etching method. Examples of the material of the stamper include nickel (or nickel alloy), silicon, glass, and the like. The stamper may be formed of only such a material, for example, a plate-like base material having a thickness of several tens of μm to several mm ( Fine irregularities may be formed with nickel on a silicon substrate. The cross-sectional shape of the concavo-convex portion is basically rectangular, but may be a tapered (trapezoidal) shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, a semielliptical shape, or the like.

  The moving means may be performed using various actuators.

Further, the “temperature at which the molten resin adheres to the surface to be coated” in the present invention refers to the surface properties (surface roughness, etc.), material (material, presence / absence of release agent treatment, etc.) of the lower mold 100, and the type of resin And the temperature, the moving speed (coating speed) of the lower mold 100, and the like.
In general, a molten resin is different from, for example, a liquid ultraviolet curable resin, and has a certain viscosity even in a molten state (for example, 1000 Pa.s or more). Application can be performed up to. In the above-described embodiment, the resin is applied to the coated surface of the lower mold 100 once by the operation of the moving means 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the moving means 5 is operated in the reverse direction. The resin may be applied a plurality of times. The molten resin is applied to a shape substantially close to the final shape of the molded body, and the thickness thereof is preferably 50 μm to 3 mm, for example.

  The pressing pressure applied by the pressing means 3 can be 10 MPa or less. Therefore, even if the force generator is small, a large area product can be manufactured. Moreover, it leads to size reduction, space saving, energy saving, and cost reduction of the apparatus. Moreover, since it can apply | coat to the shape close | similar to the final shape of a molded object, molten resin hardly flows at the time of a press. For this reason, a phenomenon that causes optical distortion and warping, such as the orientation of polymer chains accompanying the flow of the resin during pressing, is unlikely to occur. Furthermore, the thermoplastic resin having a high viscosity at the time of pressing and the previous application is not forced to flow. As a result, it is possible to obtain a molded article having excellent optical characteristics such as low residual stress, low birefringence, and high light transmittance and high dimensional accuracy without warping as compared with the injection molding method of the prior art. Furthermore, the fine irregularities are not easily destroyed, leading to a long life. Furthermore, since a strong pressing force is not required, it is possible to use a mold made of zinc selenide (ZnSe), silicon (Si) or the like which is not resistant to pressure.

Further, at the time of pressing, the upper mold 31 and the lower mold 100 are fitted to each other, and the air in the minute gap is discharged with a minute gap between the cavity surface of the upper mold 31 and the upper surface of the molten resin. It is more preferable to apply a pressing force after sucking and reducing the pressure or approximately the vacuum state to bring the cavity surface of the upper mold 31 into contact with the upper surface of the molten resin. In this way, air between the molten resin and the cavity is eliminated, and transfer defects due to air entrainment / containment can be avoided.
The air suction port may be specially provided on the cavity surface. However, for example, in the case of a mold having a mechanical ejector, the air suction port can be sucked from the cavity gap generated due to the sliding of the ejector. A known vacuum pump or the like may be used as the suction means.
When the air in the minute gap is sucked, relatively high accuracy is required for positioning accuracy when moving the mold, speed control accuracy, and pressure control accuracy during mold clamping (pressing). Therefore, a force generator using a mechanism that easily ensures accuracy, such as a method of combining a servo motor and a ball screw as a drive system, is preferable.

  In addition, as the peeling means 8, in the above-described embodiment, a means for sucking and peeling a product that has been molded on the lower mold 100 is illustrated. A type ejector and an air blow mechanism are provided, whereby the entire surface of the product can be peeled from the lower mold 100.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a thin-walled and large-area molded body having a thickness in the range of 50 μm to 5 mm and having a side length of the molded body exceeding 1000 times the thickness.

  Also, temperature control of resin melting part, resin delivery part, heating means, upper mold, lower mold, etc .; rotation and forward / backward movement control of screw, piston, etc. in resin melting part and resin delivery part; resin melting part and resin delivery Control of opening and closing of the valves provided in the flow paths between the parts and the discharge part; control of vertical movement of the lower mold in the vertical direction, and the like are each performed by a control device (not shown). In addition to these control devices, there is further provided means for sequence-controlling the molten resin application means, press means, heating means and moving means based on preset operation conditions and operation order, thereby automating the production of the molded body. The form is also preferred in the present invention.

  The molded body obtained by the present invention is a molded body having ultrafine processing, high dimensional accuracy, low residual stress, low birefringence, high light transmittance, and excellent mechanical strength, even in an ultra-low pressure molding process. For example, (a) microlens array, liquid crystal light guide plate, flexible display substrate, wave plate, reflector, retardation plate, free-form surface mirror, LED Key components in the field of electronic displays such as light-emitting panels and Fresnel lenses, (b) Optical information communications such as flexible polymer optical waveguides, free-form curved diffraction gratings, two-dimensional image sensor arrays, pickup lenses, holograms, and flexible waveguide illumination plates Core components in the field, (c) Next-generation DVD (Blu-ray Disc), Blu-ray Disc cover layer, DVD, CD, ultra-thin IC card and other optical recording media fields (D) key components in the life science field such as integrated chemical chips, DNA chips, biochips, protein chips, microfluidic devices, environmental analysis chips, (e) fuel cell separators, ultra-thin battery cases for mobile phones, It can be suitably used for key parts in the new energy field such as a sunlight collecting Fresnel lens.

It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating one Embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating the storage cylinder used for this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the form which the piston retracted in the storage cylinder used for this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the discharge width adjustment part of a discharge part. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating the molten resin application | coating means of another form of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of moving a heating means up and down. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating another embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating another embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating another embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Manufacturing apparatus of this invention 2,2 'Molten resin application means 3 Press means 4 Heating means 5 Moving means 7 Preheating means 8 Peeling means 21 Resin melting part 22,62 Resin delivery part 23 Discharge part 24 Flow path 31 Upper die 32 Lower mold heating / cooling section 33 Vertical press machine 43 Infrared lamp 92 Vertical movement stage 100 Lower mold 101 Surface to be coated 311 Upper mold heating / cooling section

Claims (19)

A resin melting part that melts and transports a thermoplastic resin, a resin sending part that is connected to the resin melting part, sends a molten resin that flows in a specified amount, and a molten resin sent from the resin sending part. A molten resin coating means having a discharge portion for coating the coated surface on the lower mold from above;
An upper mold for pressing the molten resin applied on the lower mold, an upper mold heating / cooling unit for heating or cooling the upper mold, and a lower mold heating / cooling for heating or cooling the lower mold Pressing means having a section;
A heating unit that is provided in a preceding stage of the pressing unit and that heats the lower mold when the molten resin is applied; and a moving unit that moves the lower mold;
With
The lower mold is heated by the heating means, the molten resin is applied to the coated surface on the lower mold by the molten resin application means while moving the lower mold by the moving means, and then Furthermore, the lower mold is moved by the moving means, the applied molten resin is pressed by the pressing means, and the molded body is obtained by cooling and solidifying while adjusting the shape of the resin. .   Using a plurality of the lower molds, connecting them to form an endless track, applying the molten resin to the surface to be coated while rotating the endless track by the moving means, and subsequently pressing the press The apparatus for producing a molded body according to claim 1, wherein the molded body is pressed continuously by means of means and the molded body is continuously manufactured on the plurality of lower molds.   Using a plurality of the lower molds, placing them on a horizontal stage, applying the molten resin to the coated surface while horizontally moving the lower mold by the moving means, 2. The molded body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the molded body is pressed continuously by a pressing means to continuously manufacture the molded body on the plurality of lower molds.   The apparatus for producing a molded body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fine uneven portion is provided on at least one of the upper mold and the lower mold.   The said fine uneven | corrugated | grooved part is formed by processing directly on the surface of at least one of the said upper metal mold | die and a lower metal mold | die, The manufacturing apparatus of the molded object of Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The said fine uneven | corrugated | grooved part is formed by mounting the stamper by which the fine uneven | corrugated shape was processed on the surface of at least one of the said upper metal mold | die and a lower metal mold | die. Molded body manufacturing equipment.   The apparatus further comprises means for moving the application surface on the lower mold in the vertical direction so that the distance between the tip of the discharge part and the application surface on the lower mold can be adjusted. The manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-6.   The means for moving the application surface on the lower mold in the vertical direction is means for moving the heating means up and down, whereby the distance between the tip of the discharge part and the application surface on the lower mold The molten resin is applied to the surface to be coated on the heating means, and the molded body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7.   The means for moving the surface to be coated on the lower mold in the vertical direction is a vertical movement stage that moves up and down the lower mold provided independently of the heating means. The distance between the tip portion and the application surface on the lower mold is adjusted, and the molten resin is applied to the application surface on the vertical movement stage. apparatus.   The apparatus further comprises means for moving the tip of the discharge part in the vertical direction so that the distance between the tip of the discharge part and the surface to be coated on the lower mold can be adjusted. The manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of 1-6.   The apparatus for producing a molded body according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising preheating means for preheating the lower mold, further upstream of the heating means.   12. The apparatus for manufacturing a molded body according to claim 11, wherein the preliminary heating means is means for heating the lower mold by thermal radiation or heat transfer.   The molten resin application means has a function of melting the thermoplastic resin and an injection function of injecting the molten resin in a prescribed amount, and the molten resin sent from the resin delivery part is coated on the lower mold. The apparatus for producing a molded body according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus is composed of a discharge section that applies the coating surface from above.   The molten resin application means has a function of melting the thermoplastic resin and a resin delivery unit comprising an extruder for extruding the molten resin in a specified amount, and the molten resin delivered from the resin delivery unit is coated on the lower mold. The apparatus for producing a molded body according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus is composed of a discharge section that applies the coating surface from above.   The said discharge part consists of T dies, The manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-14 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The said discharge part is provided with the discharge width adjustment part for adjusting the width | variety of the molten resin discharged, The manufacturing apparatus of the molded object in any one of Claims 1-15 characterized by the above-mentioned.   17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for performing sequence control on the molten resin application unit, the press unit, the heating unit, and the moving unit based on preset operation conditions and operation sequence. The manufacturing apparatus of the molded object of description. A method for producing a molded body using the production apparatus according to claim 1,
(1) the step of heating the lower mold to a temperature at which the molten resin adheres to the surface to be coated by the heating means; and (2) the molten resin coating means while moving the lower mold by the moving means. (3) The lower mold is moved by the moving means, and the applied molten resin is pressed by the pressing means to form the shape of the resin. And a step of cooling and solidifying to obtain a molded product.   The method for producing a molded body according to claim 18, wherein in the step (1), the heating means is constantly heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a temperature at which the molten resin adheres to a surface to be coated.

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