JP2008250239A - Optical element molding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical element molding apparatus capable of easily setting a molding process and control conditions for every molding process. <P>SOLUTION: The optical element molding apparatus 100 has at least one processing part for applying a processing composed of a plurality of molding processes to a molding stock 1, and molds an optical element from the molding stock. The optical element molding apparatus includes: a control condition input part 80 for regulating a first control condition used to control the processing part and a second control condition used to control the molding process for every molding process, and inputting a control condition table constituted so that the control condition can be added and eliminated for every molding process; and a processing control part 70 for controlling the processing part for every molding process based on the control condition in the control condition table. Thus, a user optionally and easily sets the molding process and the control condition for every molding process by adding or eliminating the control condition expressed as data of a row system or a column system for every molding process to the control condition table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical element molding apparatus, and more particularly to an optical element molding apparatus capable of easily setting a molding process and control conditions for each molding process.

  In recent years, glass optical elements, such as lenses, prisms and optical communication parts, which require high optical properties, are mass-produced by press molding (reheat press). In the press molding method, molten glass is cooled in a mold to produce a molding material (preform), the molding material is placed in a pair of molding molds having a high-precision molding surface, and molding is performed via the molding mold. An optical element is formed by heating the material to a temperature near the glass yield point and then performing press molding, and transferring the shape of the molding surface to the molding material.

  The press molding of the optical element is generally performed using a dedicated press molding apparatus. In a conventional molding apparatus, for example, a series of molding processes such as purge-heating-press-slow cooling-rapid cooling is predetermined, and the user can, for example, supply a predetermined gas supply amount, temperature, press, etc. for each molding process. An optical element having a predetermined optical characteristic is formed by setting a control condition relating to a predetermined control item such as force.

  However, since the optical characteristics required for optical elements, such as high NA, are constantly changing, there is a need to change the molding process to cope with changes in optical characteristics. However, in the conventional molding apparatus, since the molding process is predetermined, any molding process such as a two-stage division of the pressing process, a second pressing process after the slow cooling process, or a pressing process in a soaking state is optional. There was a problem that could not be set. Further, since combinations of control conditions that can be set for each molding process are determined in advance, there is a problem in that the molding process cannot be controlled using a special combination of control conditions. Alternatively, although a molding apparatus having a function for changing the molding process and control conditions is also seen, it is necessary to instruct a change using a program language specific to the molding apparatus, so it cannot be easily changed, In addition, when there is an error in the instruction, there is a problem that the molding apparatus does not operate properly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a new and improved optical element molding apparatus capable of easily setting the molding process and the control conditions for each molding process. .

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the molding material has at least one processing section for performing processing including a plurality of molding steps, and an optical element is molded from the molding material. An optical element molding apparatus is provided. The optical element molding apparatus defines, for each molding process, a first control condition used for controlling the processing unit and a second control condition used for controlling the molding process, and the addition and reduction of the control conditions are performed in the molding process. A control condition input unit for inputting a control condition table configured to be possible every time, and a process control unit for controlling the processing unit for each molding process based on the control conditions in the control condition table .

  According to this configuration, at least one processing unit of the molding apparatus is controlled based on the control condition in the control condition table input from the control condition input unit. The control condition table defines the first control condition used for controlling the processing unit and the second control condition used for controlling the molding process for each molding process, and the addition and reduction of the control conditions are performed for each molding process. It is configured to be possible. As a result, the user adds or slows down control conditions represented as data in a column format or row format for each molding process to the control condition table, so that the control conditions for each molding process and each molding process are set. Settings can be made arbitrarily and easily.

  The processing control unit reads out the control condition from the control condition table for each molding step, controls at least one of the processing units based on the control condition in the control condition table, and at least one of the second control conditions. When the above is satisfied, the process being executed may be interrupted and the process may proceed to the subsequent molding process. According to such a configuration, when at least one of the second control conditions is satisfied, the process being executed is interrupted and the process proceeds to the process of the subsequent molding process. Therefore, the process for each molding process is a single process. It is represented by a procedure, and changes such as addition or deletion of the molding process can be easily performed.

  Moreover, you may make it provide the output part which outputs at least any one of the said control condition table and the control condition graph showing the time-sequential change of a 1st control condition. According to such a configuration, since the control condition table and the control condition graph are output, the user can easily check the control conditions and can find a control condition setting error in advance.

  In addition, the processing unit includes a pressing unit that moves a pair of molding dies relative to each other and presses a molding material disposed in the molding dies, and a predetermined gas supply and exhaust to the molding chamber in which the molding dies are disposed. It may be configured to include a supply / exhaust unit that adjusts the heating, a heating unit that heats the molding die and the molding material, and a counting unit that counts the elapsed time for each molding process. According to this configuration, the press unit, the air supply / exhaust unit, the heating unit, and the counting unit are controlled based on the control conditions in the control condition table input from the control condition input unit.

  Further, the first control condition used for controlling the pressing unit may include at least one of a relative position of the mold, a pressing force for pressing the molding material, and a change gradient of the pressing force. According to this configuration, the press unit is appropriately controlled based on the relative position of the mold, the pressing force for pressing the molding material, and the change gradient of the pressing force.

  Further, the first control condition used for controlling the supply / exhaust unit may include at least one of an air supply amount for each air supply path and an exhaust amount for each exhaust path. According to this configuration, the air supply / exhaust unit is appropriately controlled based on the air supply amount for each air supply passage and the exhaust amount for each exhaust passage.

  Further, the first control condition used for controlling the heating unit may include at least one of the temperature of the mold and the temperature change gradient. According to this configuration, the heating unit is appropriately controlled based on the temperature of the mold and the temperature change gradient.

  The second control condition used for controlling the molding step may include at least one of the first control conditions used for controlling the press unit, the air supply / exhaust unit, the heating unit, and the counting unit. According to such a configuration, the molding process is appropriately controlled based on the first control condition used for controlling the press unit, the air supply / exhaust unit, the heating unit, and the counting unit.

  Further, the second control condition used for the control of the molding process may be composed of a plurality of prioritized control conditions. According to this configuration, the molding process is appropriately controlled based on a plurality of prioritized control conditions.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical element molding apparatus capable of easily setting the molding process and the control conditions for each molding process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Configuration of optical element molding apparatus)
First, the configuration of an optical element molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an optical element molding apparatus according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the molding apparatus 100 includes a gas air supply path that forms an air supply / exhaust section, such as an upper mold unit 10, a lower mold unit 20, a fixed shaft 36, a moving shaft 38, and a drive device 60 that form a press section. P1, P2, gas exhaust path P3, exhaust path P4, gas storage tank 92, vacuum exhaust device 98, and the like are configured to include a heater unit 50 that constitutes a heating unit and a counting unit that will be described later. Further, the molding apparatus 100 includes a control condition input unit 80 for inputting control conditions used for control of the press unit, air supply / exhaust unit, heating unit and counting unit, and control of the molding process. It includes a processing control unit 70 that controls the exhaust unit, the heating unit, and the counting unit, and an output unit 82 that performs various outputs related to the molding process.

  The upper mold unit 10 is attached to the lower end surface of a fixed shaft 36 extending downward from the upper part of the frame 2 via a heat insulating cylinder 32. The upper mold unit 10 includes an upper mold 12, a mold plate 14, and a fixed mold 16 that fixes the upper mold 12 to the mold plate 14.

  The lower mold unit 20 is attached to the upper end surface of a moving shaft 38 extending upward from the lower part of the frame 2 so as to face the upper mold unit 10 via a heat insulating cylinder 34. The lower mold unit 20 includes a lower mold 22, a mold plate 24, and a moving mold 26 that fixes the lower mold 22 to the mold plate 24.

  The fixed shaft 36 passes through an opening provided in the upper plate 42, and the upper plate 42 is driven in the vertical direction. The opening is sealed, and the upper plate 42 slides in the vertical direction while maintaining airtightness with the fixed shaft 36.

  The moving shaft 38 passes through an opening provided in the lower frame 4, and the lower plate 44 is fixed to the lower frame 4. The opening is sealed, and the moving shaft 38 slides in the vertical direction while maintaining airtightness with the lower frame 4.

  The drive device 60 uses a motor 62 or the like as a drive source, is provided with a position sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of movement of the moving shaft 38, and is connected to the lower end of the moving shaft 38 via a load detector 64. . The moving shaft 38 moves in the vertical direction by controlling the position, speed (change gradient of pressing force) and axial load (pressing force) by the processing control unit 70 via the control channels C1 and C2.

  The upper die unit 10, the lower die unit 20, the heat insulating cylinders 32 and 34, the lower end portion of the fixed shaft 36, and the upper end portion of the moving shaft 38 are surrounded by an inner tube 46 having thermal conductivity, so that airtightness is maintained. The chamber 40 is hermetically sealed.

  The gas supply path includes an air supply path P1 from the gas storage tank 92 through the fixed shaft 36 to the mold plate 14 of the upper mold unit 10, and a metal supply of the lower mold unit 20 from the gas storage tank 92 through the moving shaft 38. An air supply path P2 reaching the mold plate 24 is formed. Further, the upper plate 42 is provided with an exhaust port 43, and an exhaust path P <b> 3 connected from the exhaust port 43 to the gas storage tank 92 through the intake valve 95 is formed. The lower plate 44 is provided with a discharge port 45, and a discharge path P <b> 4 connected from the discharge port 45 to the vacuum forming device 98 through the vacuum valve 99 is formed.

  A branch pipe is connected in the middle of the flow path connecting the exhaust port 43 and the intake valve 95, and an exhaust valve 96 is provided at the end of the branch pipe. Furthermore, the air supply port of the gas storage tank 92 is connected to the air supply paths P1 and P2 via the air supply valves 93 and 94.

  The air supply valves 93 and 94 are controlled by the process control unit 70 via the control channel C3, and adjust the supply amount of a predetermined gas (for example, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas) to the molding chamber 40. The intake valve 95 and the exhaust valve 96 are controlled by the processing control unit 70 via the control channel C4, and adjust the intake and exhaust of a predetermined gas from the molding chamber 40. The vacuum valve 99 is controlled by the processing control unit 70 via the control channel C4, and adjusts the degree of vacuum in the molding chamber 40.

  The heater unit 50 is attached to an outer cylinder 48 disposed around the inner cylinder 46. The heater unit 50 is composed of, for example, a heater 52 such as an infrared heater and a reflecting plate 54, and heats the upper mold unit 10, the lower mold unit 20, and the molding material 1 by radiant heat radiated through the inner cylinder 46. Thermocouples 56 and 58 for temperature measurement are mounted on the mold plates 14 and 24 of the upper and lower mold units 10 and 20.

  In the heater unit 50, the temperature and temperature change (temperature change gradient) due to radiant heat are controlled by the processing control unit 70 via the control channels C5 and C6, and the output of the heater 52 is adjusted.

  Below, the control condition input part 80, the output part 82, and the process control part 70 which are components peculiar to the optical element shaping | molding apparatus 100 which concern on this embodiment are demonstrated.

  The control condition input unit 80 is a component for inputting control conditions in the control condition table. Here, the control condition table is a table representing, for each molding process, control conditions used for controlling the press section, air supply / exhaust section, heating section, and counting section described later, and control conditions used for controlling the molding process. Details of the control condition table will be described later.

  The output unit 82 includes an output device such as a display device or a printer device, and performs various outputs related to the molding process, such as a control condition table and a control condition graph representing a time series change of various control conditions.

  The setting of the control condition in the control condition table is a setting screen displayed on the output unit 82 when the control condition input unit 80 is configured with a keyboard or a touch panel and the output unit 82 is configured with a display device. This is performed by the user operating the control condition input unit 80 while referring to FIG. In the case where the control condition input unit 80 and the output unit 82 are integrated with, for example, a touch panel type display device, the user operates the operation panel displayed on the display device. Is called.

  Further, the control condition input unit 80 can input data of a control condition table created by an apparatus external to the molding apparatus 100 such as a personal computer as readable data, for example, an input such as a data input port or a data reader. It may be configured by an interface. In this case, the data related to the control conditions may be subjected to a predetermined data conversion process in order to convert externally created data into data that can be read by the molding apparatus 100.

  The processing control unit 70 is configured by a control device such as a microcontroller, for example, and reads out the control conditions for each molding process from the control condition table, and based on the control conditions in the control condition table, the press unit, the air supply / exhaust unit, When at least one of the control conditions for controlling the heating unit and the counting unit, which will be described later, is satisfied, the process being executed is interrupted and the process proceeds to the subsequent molding process. Note that the processing control unit 70 includes a counting unit configured by, for example, a timer, and counts the elapsed time for each molding process.

(Control condition table)
Next, a control condition table used in the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting a control condition table used in the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a case where the setting screen 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is output to the output unit 82 and the control conditions in the control condition table are set via the control condition input unit 80 will be described. On the other hand, when the control condition table is created externally, the setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 2 is output to a display device that constitutes an external device of the molding apparatus 100 such as a personal computer, and the control condition table is output via a keyboard or the like. The control conditions in the table will be set.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the setting screen 200 includes operation items “add new process”, “add template process”, “delete process”, “reorder process”, and “save / read table” along with the control condition table. The attached operation button is displayed.

  The control condition table, for example, divides the row direction and the column direction into control items and molding processes, and represents the control conditions of the control items set for each molding process in a table format. In addition, you may make it a control condition table classify a row direction and a column direction according to a formation process and a control item, respectively.

  The control condition table illustrated in FIG. 2 includes, as control items, C1) “temperature: upper mold (° C.)”, C2) “temperature: lower mold (° C.)”, C3) “temperature change gradient (° C./second). ”, C4)“ Process time (seconds) ”, C5)“ Press amount / target position (mm) ”, C6)“ Press force (N) ”, C7)“ Press force change gradient (N / second) ”, C8 ) “Process end condition (priority order)”, C9) “Nitrogen supply amount: P1 (L / min)”, C10) “Nitrogen supply amount: P2 (L / min)”, C11) “Press amount / target position reached” “Confirmation” is listed. In addition, P1) “Purge”, P2) “Temperature rise”, P3) “Soaking”, P4) “Press”, P5) “Slow cooling”, P6) “Rapid cooling” are listed as the molding process. And the control condition of the control item set for every shaping | molding process is shown.

  When setting the control condition table, the user first selects the operation button "Add new process" or "Add template process" to add a new molding process, and adds a data setting column to the control condition table. To do. Here, “template process addition” is a control condition for a standard molding process, which is pre-templated according to the type of the molding process, and stored in advance, for example, a storage unit provided separately. Is the control condition. When the data setting column is added, the user selects desired setting conditions (processing control conditions, process control conditions), and inputs / changes the control conditions.

  When the user wants to insert (add) a new molding process between the set molding processes, the user selects the data setting column adjacent to the data setting column to be inserted and presses the operation button “Add new process” or Select “Add template process”. Thereby, since the data setting sequence is added, the control conditions of the new molding process can be inserted at a desired position by selecting the desired setting item and inputting / changing the control conditions.

  Alternatively, when the user wants to delete the added molding process, the user selects the operation button “Delete process” in a state where the data setting sequence to be deleted is selected. In addition, if you want to rearrange the set molding process, select the operation button “Reorder Process” with the data setting column you want to reorder, and set the required setting values such as the position of the reordering destination. Enter separately.

  When the setting of the control condition table is completed, the user can select the operation button “save / read table” and save the set control condition table in a storage unit or the like. The user can read the control condition table stored in the storage unit or the like by selecting the operation button “save / read table” before setting the control condition table.

  As described above, the control condition table represents the control conditions for each molding process in the form of a table, and is configured such that addition of control conditions and reduction can be performed for each molding process. Thus, in the case of the control condition table shown in FIG. 2, the user can add or delete the molding process by adding or slowing down the control conditions represented as column format data as necessary. These changes can be made arbitrarily and easily.

(Operation procedure of optical element molding equipment)
Next, an operation procedure of the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  When molding the optical element, the process control unit 70 reads the control conditions in the control condition table for each molding process via the control condition input unit 80 (step S10). The process control unit 70 may read the control conditions in the control condition table for each molding process, and stores all the control conditions in advance in a separately provided storage unit (not shown). The data may be sequentially read from the storage unit for each molding process.

  When the control condition is read, the process control unit 70 confirms whether the condition is satisfied according to the control condition set as the C8) process end condition. In addition, the process control part 70 performs step S20, step S30, step S40, and step S50 in parallel after completion | finish of step S10.

  For example, when “C9” (nitrogen supply amount P1) or “C10” (nitrogen supply amount P2) is set as the process end condition, C8), the process control unit sets the supply valves 93 and 94, the intake Through the opening degree of the valve 95 and the exhaust valve 96, it is confirmed whether the current nitrogen supply amount satisfies a predetermined set value (step S20), and the intake valves 93, 94 and the intake are taken until the predetermined set value is satisfied. The opening degree of the valve 95 is controlled (step S22) (loop 1).

  C8) When “C1” (upper temperature mold) or “C2” (lower temperature mold) is set as the process termination condition, the process control unit 70 is mounted on the upper mold or lower mold units 10 and 20. It is confirmed whether the current temperature satisfies a predetermined set value through the thermocouples 56 and 58 (step S30), and the output of the heater 52 is controlled until the predetermined set value is satisfied (step S32) (loop 2). ). Note that when the temperature change gradient is set, the process control unit 70 controls the output of the heater 52 so as to satisfy a predetermined set value.

  C8) If “C5” (press amount / target position) is set as the process end condition, the process control unit 70 first checks whether the control condition of “C6” (press force) is set. (Step S40). Here, if the pressing force is set, the processing control unit 70 adopts the predetermined pressing force that is set (step S42), and if the pressing force is not set, the preset that is set separately. The value P1 is adopted (step S44). The preset value P1 defines the driving force of the driving device 60 when the lower mold unit 20 is raised and lowered. Then, through a position sensor provided in the driving device 60, it is confirmed whether or not the current press amount / position satisfies a predetermined set value (step S46), and the output of the motor 62 is controlled until the predetermined set value is satisfied. (Step S48). C7) When the pressing force change gradient is set, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the motor 62 so as to satisfy a predetermined set value through the load detector 64 connected to the moving shaft 38. To do. Further, when C11) Confirmation of press amount / target position arrival is set, the process control unit 70 confirms whether the predetermined press amount / target position has been reached according to the setting. (Loop 3)

  C8) When “C4” (process time) is set as the process end condition (step S50), the process control unit 70 starts counting by the timer (step S52), and the current count value is a predetermined value. It is confirmed whether the set value is satisfied (step S54), and counting is continued until the predetermined set value is satisfied (loop 4). If the count value satisfies the predetermined set value, the process control unit 70 initializes the count value (step S56) and performs subsequent processing (step S60).

  C8) When the control condition set as the process end condition is satisfied, the process control unit 70 ends the process for all the processes in the loops 1 to 4 in order to end the forming process being processed. (Step S60).

  When the end interruption is performed, the process control unit 70 first confirms whether or not the above-described process is normally ended (step S70). Next, when the process ends abnormally, the process control unit 70 performs various error processes (step S72) and ends the molding process. On the other hand, when the process is normally completed, it is confirmed by referring to the control condition table whether the subsequent molding process is set (step S74). When the subsequent molding process is set, the process control unit 70 reads the control condition related to the subsequent molding process from the control condition table (step S10). On the other hand, when the subsequent molding process is not set, the process control unit 70 ends the molding process. Here, in various error processes (step S72), an end condition is determined according to the content of the error. For example, when the control condition for the process time is satisfied in the temperature raising process, it is not possible to shift to the subsequent pressing process. Therefore, after performing a warning process, nitrogen is supplied into the molding chamber 40, and the upper mold and the lower mold After the units 10 and 20 are cooled to a predetermined temperature, the molding process is finished. Further, when the control condition for the process time is satisfied in the pressing process, after the warning process is performed, the pressing process is continued to the end.

  That is, in the molding apparatus 100, a processing unit including a press unit, a heating unit, a supply / exhaust unit, and a counting unit performs parallel processing for each molding process. Then, when at least one of the control conditions for controlling the molding process is satisfied, the process control unit 70 interrupts the process being executed by the processing unit and shifts to the process of the subsequent molding process. Thereby, the processing for each molding process is represented by a single processing procedure, and changes such as addition or deletion of the molding process can be easily performed.

(Operation for each molding process)
Next, a specific operation of the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where the control condition table shown in FIG. 2 is used. It is assumed that the molding material 1 is arranged in advance on the lower mold 22 of the lower mold unit 20.

  When molding the optical element, the processing control unit 70 reads the control conditions in the control condition table via the control condition input unit 80.

  Based on the read control condition, the output unit 82 may output a control condition table as shown in FIG. 2 or a control condition graph as shown in FIG. Here, the control condition graph is a graph representing changes in various control conditions for each molding process, for example, in a time series format. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control items C1) on the upper die and C6) on the pressing force. Changes in the control conditions are represented in time series. Thereby, the user of the shaping | molding apparatus 100 can confirm control conditions easily, and can find the setting mistake of control conditions in advance. In addition, the current value of the control condition may be displayed on the control condition graph as a plot or a numerical value on the graph as the process proceeds.

<Molding process P1>
The process control unit 70 first reads the control conditions for the molding step P1) “purge” from the control condition table. Here, as control conditions, C4) process time: “60 seconds”, C8) process end condition: control item “C4”, C9) nitrogen supply amount P1: “30 L / min”, C10) nitrogen supply amount P2: “30 L / min” is set.

  In the main forming step, the processing control unit 70 first controls the vacuum valve 99 and discharges the air in the forming chamber 40 from the discharge port 45 by the vacuum exhaust device 98. Next, the air supply valves 93 and 94 are controlled to supply nitrogen gas from the gas storage tank 92 into the molding chamber 40 through the air supply paths P1 and P2. Here, the supply valves 93 and 94 are controlled to supply nitrogen gas at “30 L / min” until the timer counts “60 seconds”. Thereby, the atmosphere in the molding chamber 40 is replaced (purged) with nitrogen gas.

<Molding process P2>
When the molding process P1) “purge” is completed, the processing control unit 70 reads out the control conditions of the molding process P2) “temperature increase” from the control condition table. Here, the control conditions are as follows: C1) Upper temperature type: “520 ° C.”, C2) Lower temperature type: “518 ° C.”, C3) Temperature change gradient: “60 ° C./second”, C4) Process time: “120 Second ”, C5) press amount / target position:“ 10.0 mm ”, C8) process end condition: control items“ C1 & C2 & C5 / C4 ”, C9) nitrogen supply amount P1:“ 5 L / min ”, C10) nitrogen supply amount P2 : “5 L / min” is set.

  In the main molding step, the processing control unit 70 raises the lower mold unit 20 while supplying nitrogen gas, and raises the temperature of the molding material 1. Regarding the supply of nitrogen gas, the process control unit 70 controls the supply valves 93 and 94 to supply a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas into the molding chamber 40. Regarding the ascent of the lower mold unit 20, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the motor 62 while referring to the measurement value of the position sensor provided in the driving device 60 and raises the moving shaft 38, thereby lowering the lower mold unit 20. 20 is raised to the target position “10.0 mm”. On the other hand, regarding the temperature rise of the molding material 1, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the heater 52 while referring to the measured values of the thermocouples 56 and 58 attached to the upper and lower mold units 10 and 20. The upper mold unit 10 and the lower mold unit 10 and 20 are heated to “520 ° C.” and “518 ° C.”, respectively. Here, the output of the heater 52 is appropriately controlled so as to satisfy the temperature change gradient “60 ° C./second”.

  In the present molding process, the process end condition is set in the control item “C1 & C2 & C5 / C4”, so that the processing control unit 70 sets the temperatures of the upper and lower mold units 10 and 20 to “520 ° C.” and “518 ° C.”. Until the lower mold unit 20 reaches the target position “10.0 mm”. If the timer counts “120 seconds” before the temperature and target position control conditions are satisfied, a predetermined warning process is performed. Thereby, the molding material 1 is heated to a predetermined temperature.

<Molding process P3>
When the molding step P2) “temperature increase” is completed, the processing control unit 70 reads out the control conditions of the molding step P3) “soaking” from the control condition table. Here, the control conditions are as follows: C1) Upper temperature mold: “520 ° C.”, C2) Lower temperature mold: “518 ° C.”, C4) Process time: “60 seconds”, C5) Press amount / target position: “10 .0 mm ", C8) Process end condition: Control item" C4 ", C9) Nitrogen supply amount P1:" 5 L / min "is set.

  In the main forming step, the processing control unit 70 performs soaking of the forming material 1 while supplying nitrogen gas. Regarding the supply of nitrogen gas, the process control unit 70 controls the air supply valve 93 to supply a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas into the molding chamber 40. Regarding soaking of the molding material 1, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the heater 52 and adjusts the temperatures of the upper and lower mold units 10 and 20 to be “520 ° C.” and “518 ° C.”, respectively. To do. Here, the heater 52 performs soaking of the molding material 1 until the timer counts “60 seconds”. Thereby, the shaping | molding raw material 1 is soaked to the predetermined | prescribed temperature requested | required at the time of a subsequent press process.

<Molding process P4>
When the molding step P3) “soaking” is completed, the processing control unit 70 reads out the control conditions of the molding step P4) “press” from the control condition table. Here, the control conditions are as follows: C1) Upper temperature mold: “520 ° C.”, C2) Lower temperature mold: “518 ° C.”, C4) Process time: “40 seconds”, C5) Press amount / target position: “12 mm C6) Press force: “100 N”, C7) Press force change gradient: “10 N / sec”, C8) Process end condition: Control item “C5 / C4”, C9) Nitrogen supply amount P1: “5 L / min” , C11) Press amount / target position arrival confirmation: “With arrival confirmation” is set.

  In the main molding step, the processing control unit 70 raises the lower mold unit 20 and presses the molding material 1 while supplying nitrogen gas. Regarding the supply of nitrogen gas, the process control unit 70 controls the air supply valve 93 to supply a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas into the molding chamber 40. Regarding the raising of the lower die unit 20, the output of the motor 62 is controlled to raise the lower die unit 20 to the press amount “12.0 mm”. In addition, regarding the pressing of the molding material 1, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the motor 62 and raises the moving shaft 38 while referring to the detection value of the load detector 64 connected to the moving shaft 38. Then, a pressing force of “100 N” is applied to the molding material 1. Here, the output of the motor 62 is appropriately controlled so as to satisfy the pressing force change gradient “10 N / sec”.

  In the main forming process, since the process end condition is set to the control item “C5 / C4”, the processing control unit 70 determines that the lower mold unit 20 reaches the press amount “12.0 mm” or the timer is The above processing is continued until “40 seconds” are counted. Since “arrival confirmation” is set, if the lower die unit 20 does not reach the press amount “12 mm” within “40 seconds” set as the process time, a predetermined warning process is performed. Do. As a result, the molding material 1 is pressed with a predetermined pressing force.

<Molding process P5>
When the molding step P4) “press” is completed, the processing control unit 70 reads out the control conditions of the molding step P5) “slow cooling” from the control condition table. Here, the control conditions are C1) Upper mold: “480 ° C.”, C2) Lower mold: “480 ° C.”, C3) Temperature change gradient: “−0.4 ° C./sec”, C5) Press amount Target position: “12.2 mm”, C6) Press force: “20 N”, C7) Press force change gradient “−5 N / sec”, C8) Process end condition: Control item “C2 / C5”, C9) Nitrogen supply Amount P1: “10 L / min”, C11) Press amount / target position arrival confirmation: “No arrival confirmation” is set.

  In the main molding process, the processing control unit 70 gradually cools the molding material 1 while pressing the molding material 1. Regarding the pressing of the molding material 1, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the motor 62, raises the lower die unit 20 to the pressing amount “12.2 mm”, and applies a pressing force of “20 N” to the molding material 1. Here, the output of the motor 62 is controlled to satisfy the pressing force change gradient “−5 N / sec”. Regarding the slow cooling of the molding material 1, the process control unit 70 controls the output of the heater 52 to lower the temperature of the upper mold unit and the lower mold unit 10, 20 to “480 ° C.” and also controls the air supply valve 93. A predetermined amount of nitrogen gas is supplied into the molding chamber 40. Here, the output of the heater 52 is appropriately controlled so as to satisfy the temperature change gradient “−0.4 ° C./second”.

  In the main forming process, since the process end condition is set to the control item “C2 / C5”, the process control unit 70 reduces the temperature of the lower mold unit 20 to “480 ° C.” or the lower mold unit 20 Until the press amount reaches “12.2 mm”. In addition, since “no arrival confirmation” is set, even if the lower mold unit 20 has not reached the press amount “12.2 mm” before the lower mold unit 20 drops to “480 ° C.” No warning processing is performed. Thereby, the molding material 1 is gradually cooled to a predetermined temperature.

<Molding process P6>
When the molding process P5) is completed, the processing control unit 70 reads out the control conditions of the molding process P6) “rapid cooling” from the control condition table. Here, the control conditions are as follows: C1) Upper temperature mold: “300 ° C.”, C2) Lower temperature mold: “300 ° C.”, C3) Temperature change gradient: “−1 ° C./sec”, C5) Press amount / target Position: “12.0 mm”, C8) Process end condition: Control item “C1 & C2”, C9) Nitrogen supply amount P1: “30 L / min”, C10) Nitrogen supply amount P2: “30 L / min”, C11) Press amount / Target position arrival confirmation: “No confirmation” is set.

  In the main forming step, the processing control unit 70 reduces the pressing force while rapidly cooling the forming material 1. Regarding the rapid cooling of the molding material 1, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the heater 52 and also controls the supply valves 93 and 94 to supply a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas into the molding chamber 40, thereby The temperature of the lower mold units 10 and 20 is lowered to “300 ° C.”. Here, the output of the heater 52 is appropriately controlled so as to satisfy the temperature change gradient “−1 ° C./sec”. Regarding the reduction of the pressing force, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the motor 62 to lower the lower die unit 20 to the pressing amount “12.0 mm”, thereby reducing the pressing force on the molding material 1.

  In this molding process, since the process end condition is set to the control item “C1 & C2”, the processing control unit 70 lowers the temperature of the upper mold unit 10 to “300 ° C.” and the lower mold unit 20 to “300 ° C.”. The above process is continued until the temperature is lowered to "". Since “no confirmation” is set, the lower die unit 20 reaches the press amount “12.0 mm” until the temperature of the upper die unit 10 and the lower die unit 10 and 20 is lowered to “300 ° C.”. Even if not, the predetermined warning process is not performed. Thereby, the molding material 1 is rapidly cooled to a predetermined temperature.

  As described above, after the operation of the molding apparatus 100 in the case of using the control condition table shown in FIG. 2 is completed and other termination processing is appropriately performed, the molded optical element is taken out from the molding apparatus 100.

(Operation characteristic of this embodiment)
Here, in the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a control condition table is used that represents the control conditions for the control of the processing unit and the molding process in a table format for each molding process. As a result, the user can arbitrarily and easily set the molding process by adding or slowing down control conditions represented as data in column format or row format for each molding process to the control condition table. be able to. Below, the procedure in the case of adding a shaping | molding process newly is demonstrated.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting screen when a new molding process is added to the control condition table shown in FIG. Note that the setting screen 300 shown in FIG. 5 displays a control condition table and various operation buttons, similarly to the setting screen 200 shown in FIG. In the following, a case where a new molding process is added will be described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a part of the molding process that has already been set is deleted or rearranged.

  As shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, as a column format data between the molding process P5) “slow cooling” and the molding process P6) “rapid cooling”, Molding step P5A) Insert the control conditions of “Soaking & pressing”.

  Specifically, for example, the user selects the operation button “add new process” in a state where the data setting sequence representing “slow cooling” is selected in the molding process 5). As a result, a new data setting sequence is added to the right side of the data setting sequence indicating the molding step P5) “slow cooling”. When a new data setting row is added, the user selects a desired setting item and inputs a control condition, thereby controlling the molding step 5A) “soaking & pressing” as shown in FIG. Conditions can be inserted at desired locations.

  Thereby, the control condition table includes P1) “Purge”, P2) “Temperature rise”, P3) “Soaking”, P4) “Press”, P5) “Slow cooling”, P5A) “ “Soaking & pressing”, P6) “Rapid cooling” is set.

  When molding the optical element, the processing control unit 70 reads the control conditions of the newly set control condition table via the control condition input unit 80, and in the same way as the above-described series of molding processes, the molding process P1) “Purge”. To P5) “Slow cooling” is performed.

<Molding process P5A>
When the molding step P5) “slow cooling” is completed, the processing control unit 70 reads out the control conditions of the molding step P5A) “soaking & pressing” from the control condition table. Here, the control conditions are as follows: C1) Upper temperature mold: “480 ° C.”, C2) Lower temperature mold: “480 ° C.”, C4) Process time: “30 seconds”, C5) Press amount / target position: “12 .5 mm ", C6) Pressing force:" 100 N ", C7) Pressing force change gradient:" 10 N / sec ", C8) Process end condition: Control item" C5 / C4 ", C9) Nitrogen supply amount P1:" 5 L / Min. ”, C11) Press amount / target position arrival confirmation:“ arrival confirmation ”is set.

  In the main molding step, the processing control unit 70 performs soaking of the molding material 1 and presses the molding material 1 while supplying nitrogen gas. Regarding the supply of nitrogen gas, the process control unit 70 controls the air supply valve 93 to supply a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas into the molding chamber 40. Regarding soaking of the molding material 1, the process control unit 70 controls the output of the heater 52 and adjusts the temperature of the upper mold unit and the lower mold unit 10, 20 to be “480 ° C.”. Regarding the pressing of the molding material 1, the processing control unit 70 controls the output of the motor 62, raises the lower die unit 20 to a pressing amount “12.5 mm”, and applies a pressing force of “100 N” to the molding material 1. Here, the output of the motor 62 is appropriately controlled so as to satisfy the pressing force change gradient “10 N / sec”.

  In the main forming process, since the process end condition is set to the control item “C5 / C4”, the processing control unit 70 determines that the lower mold unit 20 reaches the press amount “12.5 mm” or the timer is The above process is continued until “30 seconds” are counted. Since “arrival confirmation” is set, when the lower die unit 20 does not reach the press amount “12.5 mm” within “30 seconds” set as the process time, a predetermined warning is given. Process. Thereby, after the molding material 1 is soaked to a predetermined temperature, it is pressed with a predetermined pressing force.

  When the molding step P5A) “soaking & pressing” is completed, the processing control unit 70 performs the processing of the molding step P6) “rapid cooling” in the same manner as the above-described series of molding steps. Then, after other termination processing is appropriately performed, the molded optical element is taken out from the molding apparatus 100.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, according to the optical element molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the processing unit of the molding apparatus 100 including the press unit, the air supply / exhaust unit, the heating unit, and the counting unit is controlled from the control condition input unit 80. Control is performed based on the control conditions in the input control condition table. The control condition table is configured so that the control condition used for controlling the processing unit and the control condition used for controlling the molding process are defined for each molding process, and control conditions can be added and reduced for each molding process. Has been. As a result, the user adds or slows down the control conditions represented as data in a column format or row format for each molding process to the control condition table represented in a tabular format, so that the molding process and the molding process are performed. It is possible to arbitrarily and easily set control conditions for each process.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the optical element molding apparatus 100 having a general configuration has been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to the optical element molding apparatus having such a configuration.

  In this embodiment, the general control conditions used in the optical element molding apparatus 100 have been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to the optical element molding apparatus 100 having such control conditions. Furthermore, the control conditions used in the optical element molding apparatus 100 may be designed so that the user can arbitrarily add them.

  Moreover, although the setting screens 200 and 300 have been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the contents of the setting screen and the display specifications can be arbitrarily designed.

  Also, a warning can be displayed when the setting content by the control condition input unit 80 is clearly unnatural.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the optical element shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the setting screen for setting the control condition table used with the optical element shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the optical element shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the control condition graph used with the optical element shaping | molding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the setting screen in the case of adding a new shaping | molding process to the control condition table shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Molding material 10 Upper mold unit 20 Lower mold unit 36 Fixed shaft 38 Moving shaft 40 Molding chamber 50 Heater unit 56, 58 Thermocouple 60 Drive device 62 Motor 64 Load detection device 70 Processing control unit 80 Control condition input unit 82 Output unit 92 Gas storage tank 93, 94, 95, 96, 99 Valve 98 Vacuum forming device P1, P2 Gas supply passage P3 Gas exhaust passage P4 Vacuum exhaust passage C1, C2 Press part control channel C3, C4 Supply / exhaust part control channel C5 , C6 Heating part control channel

Claims (9)

An optical element molding apparatus that has at least one processing unit for performing processing consisting of a plurality of molding steps on a molding material, and molds an optical element from the molding material,
The first control condition used for controlling the processing unit and the second control condition used for controlling the molding process are defined for each molding process, and addition and reduction of the control conditions are possible for each molding process. A control condition input unit for inputting a control condition table configured as described above,
A processing control unit that controls the processing unit for each molding step based on the control conditions in the control condition table;
An optical element molding apparatus comprising:   The processing control unit reads the control condition from the control condition table for each molding process, controls at least one of the processing units based on the control condition in the control condition table, and the second control condition 2. The optical element molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when at least one of the above conditions is satisfied, the process being executed is interrupted and the process proceeds to a process of a subsequent molding process.   The optical element according to claim 1, further comprising: an output unit that outputs at least one of the control condition table and a control condition graph representing a time-series change of the first control condition. Molding equipment. The processor is
A pressing unit that moves the pair of molds relatively to press the molding material disposed in the mold; and
An air supply / exhaust unit for adjusting supply and exhaust of a predetermined gas to and from the molding chamber in which the mold is disposed;
A heating section for heating the mold and the molding material;
A counting unit for counting the elapsed time for each molding process;
The optical element molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical element molding apparatus is configured to include   The first control condition used for controlling the pressing unit includes at least one of a relative position of the molding die, a pressing force for pressing the molding material, and a change gradient of the pressing force. Item 5. The optical element molding apparatus according to Item 4.   The first control condition used for control of the air supply / exhaust section includes at least one of an air supply amount for each air supply path and an exhaust amount for each exhaust path. Optical element molding device.   The optical element molding according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first control condition used for controlling the heating unit includes at least one of a temperature of the molding die and a temperature change gradient. apparatus.   The second control condition used for controlling the molding step includes at least one of the first control conditions used for controlling the press unit, the air supply / exhaust unit, the heating unit, and the counting unit. The optical element shaping | molding apparatus in any one of Claims 4-7.   The optical element molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second control condition used for controlling the molding process includes a plurality of prioritized control conditions.

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