JP2010089317A - Mold apparatus, thermal transfer pressing apparatus, and method for manufacturing thermal transfer molded article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mold apparatus capable of performing positioning to the shape pattern of a stamper even when a base material is thin, and easily forming a processing reference. <P>SOLUTION: Positioning means 31 and 32 for holding a clamp block 5 for clamping the base material 4 freely attachably/detachably and positioning the base material 4 to the shape pattern of the stamper 26 are provided on the lower side mold part 2A. As the clamp block 5 under a condition that the base material 4 is clamped is held with the positioning means 31 and 32, even when the base material 4 is thin, the base material 4 can be positioned to the shape pattern of the stamper 26. In addition, as the positioning means 31 and 32 attachably/detachably hold the clamp block 5, the base material 4 can be removed from the positioning means 31 and 32 while it is clamped with the clamp block 5. Therefore, in the post-process, the base material 4 can be processed by making this clamp block 5 as a reference, and a processing can be accurately applied to the base material 4 to the shape pattern of the stamper 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mold apparatus, a thermal transfer press apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a thermal transfer molded product.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mold apparatus of a thermal transfer press apparatus that thermally transfers a fine shape pattern onto a resin base material is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The mold apparatus of patent document 1 is provided with the upper mold part and the lower mold part. On the opposite surface side of each mold part, a stamper having a fine shape pattern (uneven pattern) formed on the surface is provided. A base material is installed on the stamper of the lower mold part. In such a mold apparatus of Patent Document 1, the stamper is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the thermal softening temperature of the base material and then pressed onto the base material, whereby the stamper shape pattern is thermally transferred to the base material.

  Such a mold apparatus is used, for example, for thermally transferring a shape pattern to a base material having a thickness of 6 to 8 mm for a light guide plate of a liquid crystal display. When the shape pattern is thermally transferred to the substrate, the side surface of the substrate is pressed with a nail and the substrate is positioned with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper, and then the shape pattern is thermally transferred to the substrate.

JP 2006-175617 A

  By the way, in a mold apparatus of such a thermal transfer press apparatus, in recent years, a shape pattern can be thermally transferred to a substrate having a thickness of about 0.5 mm for a light guide plate of a liquid crystal display used in a notebook PC (personal computer). It has been demanded.

  However, when a substrate having a thickness of 0.5 mm is used, there is a problem that it is difficult to position the substrate with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper because the side surface of the substrate cannot be suppressed with the nails. When forming a light guide plate or the like, after a shape pattern is thermally transferred to a rectangular base material, it is abutted against a predetermined jig with an appropriate end surface as a processing reference surface, for example, an end surface facing the processing reference surface is processed smoothly Therefore, it is necessary to form a light incident surface. However, when a substrate having a thickness of 0.5 mm is pressed, the peripheral portion of the substrate is deformed, so that the processing reference surface is deviated from the set direction with respect to the shape pattern. For this reason, the light incident surface formed with reference to the processing reference surface is also deviated from the set direction with respect to the shape pattern, and there is a problem that the performance of the light guide plate is deteriorated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mold apparatus, a thermal transfer press apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a thermal transfer molded product that can be positioned with respect to a stamper shape pattern even if the substrate is thin and that can easily form a processing standard. is there.

  A mold apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a mold apparatus that is provided in a thermal transfer press apparatus and thermally transfers a predetermined shape pattern to a base material, and includes a lower mold part on which the base material is placed, An upper mold part that is close to and away from the lower mold part, and a stamper that is provided on at least one of the lower mold part and the upper mold part and has the predetermined shape pattern, The lower mold part is provided with positioning means for detachably holding a clamp block for clamping the base material and positioning the base material with respect to the shape pattern.

  The mold apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is the mold apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means includes an insertion hole into which the clamp block is inserted.

  The mold apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the mold apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the clamp block is formed with a first engaging portion made of one of a groove and a protrusion, and the positioning is performed. The means includes a fixing means that includes the other of the groove and the protrusion, and has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion, and the fixing means is the first engaging portion by the second engaging portion. The engaging portion is pressed, and the clamp block is pressed against the inner wall of the insertion hole to position and fix the clamp block.

  A mold apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the mold apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the upper mold part and the lower mold part are respectively connected to the base material. An air blow hole for blowing out air is provided between the mold part and the mold part.

  The mold apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the mold apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the lower mold part moves the clamp block up and down to form the base material and the lower mold. It is characterized by having a moving means for forming a gap with the part.

  A thermal transfer press device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes the mold device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

  In the method for manufacturing a thermal transfer molded product according to claim 7 of the present invention, the thermal transfer press apparatus holds the clamp block in a state in which the base material is clamped, and the base material is positioned with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper. A thermal transfer step of thermally transferring the shape pattern to the base material to the thermal transfer press device, and carrying the base material in a state where the shape pattern is thermally transferred and clamped to the clamp block to the processing machine, A processing machine includes a second positioning step of positioning the base material by holding the clamp block in a state where the base material is clamped, and a processing step of processing the base material by the processing machine. Features.

  The method for producing a thermal transfer molded article according to claim 8 of the present invention is the method for producing a thermal transfer molded article according to claim 7, wherein the processing step includes the base on the side clamped to the clamp block by the processing machine. A cutting step of cutting the edge portion of the substrate body into the cut edge portion and the substrate body, and an end surface of the substrate body using the cut surface of the substrate body as a processing standard. And a light incident surface forming step of forming a light incident surface.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the positioning means holds the clamp block in a state where the base material is clamped, the base material can be positioned with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper even if the base material is thin.
If at least the upper mold part is provided with a stamper, the base material is fixed to the lower mold part side via the clamp block, so that the base material is pressed and the shape pan pattern is thermally transferred to the base material. Then, when the upper mold part is separated from the lower mold part, it is possible to prevent the base material from adhering to the stamper of the upper mold part.
Since the positioning means detachably holds the clamp block, the base material can be removed from the positioning means while being clamped by the clamp block. Therefore, in the subsequent process, the base material can be processed with reference to the clamp block, and the base material can be processed accurately with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper.
Further, for example, when processing the base material of the light guide plate, the end edge portion of the base material clamped by the clamp block is cut off with reference to the clamp block, and the base material body and the base material body are cut off. By separating into two, the cut surface of the base body can be formed in a predetermined direction with respect to the shape pattern. Therefore, by forming a light incident surface by smoothing an appropriate end surface of the substrate body with the cut surface as a reference surface, the light incident surface can be formed in a predetermined direction set with respect to the shape pattern. The performance of the light plate can be maintained well.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the positioning means is configured to include the insertion hole into which the clamp block is inserted, the positioning means is configured to include a clamping device that detachably clamps the clamp block. The configuration of the positioning means can be simplified.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the positioning means presses the clamp block against the inner wall by the fixing means, and the clamp block has a relationship between the first engaging portion of the clamp block and the second engaging portion of the fixing means. The clamp block can be positioned more accurately because it can be moved and fixed slightly so as to be most stable.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the upper mold part and the lower mold part are provided with air blow holes, air can be ejected from the air blow hole between the base material and each mold part. The base material can be reliably released from the stamper.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the lower mold part is provided with the moving means, when releasing the mold, the clamp block is moved upward, and between the base material and the lower mold part. A gap can be formed. For this reason, air can be ejected from the air blow hole into this gap, and the base material can be more reliably released from the stamper.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the thermal transfer press device has the same configuration as the above-described configuration, and therefore can achieve the same effect.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the base material is held via the clamp block even if the base material is thin, the base material and the clamp block can be positioned with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper. Therefore, after thermal transfer of the shape pattern to the base material, the base material can be processed with reference to the clamp block in a predetermined orientation and position with respect to the stamper shape pattern. Processing can be performed, and the performance of the thermal transfer molded product can be maintained satisfactorily.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the end edge portion of the base material clamped by the clamp block is cut off on the basis of the clamp block, and the base material is separated into the end edge portion and the base material body, the base material The cut surface of the main body can be formed in a predetermined direction with respect to the shape pattern. And since this cut surface is used as a processing standard, an appropriate end surface of the base material body is processed smoothly to form a light incident surface, so that the light incident surface can be formed in a predetermined direction with respect to the shape pattern. . Therefore, the performance of the heat transfer molded product such as the light guide plate can be favorably maintained.

[1. Overall configuration of the thermal transfer molded product press system]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a thermal transfer press device 1 according to this embodiment.
The thermal transfer molded product press system of the present embodiment includes the thermal transfer press device 1 shown in FIG. 1, a base material set table 6 (see FIG. 10), a processing machine including a cutting machine 7 (see FIG. 11), and the like. ing.

[2. Overall configuration of thermal transfer press machine]
As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer press device 1 (hereinafter referred to as the press device 1) has a bolster 11 fixed to the floor, a slide 12 disposed above the bolster 11, and a servo motor. The drive means 13 for moving the slide 12 close to and away from the bolster 11, the servo motor is driven to control the position and speed of the slide 12, the control device 14 that controls the entire thermal transfer press device 1, and the bolster 11 And a mold apparatus 2 installed between the slides 12.

[3. (Basic configuration of each mold part)
The mold apparatus 2 includes a lower mold part 2A on which the base material 4 is placed, and an upper mold part 2B that is close to and away from the lower mold part 2A. The base material 4 is a base material of a light guide plate used for a liquid crystal display of a notebook PC, and a rectangular acrylic plate having a thickness of about 0.5 mm is used. Since the basic configuration of each mold part 2A, 2B is substantially equal, first, after describing the basic configuration of each mold part 2A, 2B, the lower mold part having the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described below. The characteristic configuration of 2A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each mold part 2 </ b> A, 2 </ b> B includes a base plate 21, a cooling plate 22, a temperature control plate 23, a frame body 24, a stamper 26, and a viscous member 27. The upper mold part 2 </ b> B further includes a vacuum device 28 and a clearance groove 29.

The base plate 21 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is fixed on the bolster 11 and the slide 12.
The cooling plate 22 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is fixed to the center of the base plate 21. A plurality of water holes (not shown) are formed in the cooling plate 22. As the cooling water flows through these water holes, the temperature of the cooling plate 22 is kept constant, and heat of the temperature control plate 23 described later is prevented from being transmitted to the bolster 11 and the slide 12 side.

  The temperature control plate 23 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is fixed on the cooling plate 22. A plurality of water holes 231 are formed inside the temperature control plate 23. The temperature control plate 23 heats and cools the stamper 26 via the viscous member 27 when steam or cooling water flows through these water holes 231.

  The frame body 24 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, and the plates 22 and 23 are disposed in the opening 241. The frame body 24 is supported by a spring 242 and is provided so as to move up and down with respect to the plates 22 and 23. Further, a vacuum suction hole 243 and an air release hole 244 described later are formed in the frame 24 of the lower mold part 2A (see FIG. 2).

  The stamper 26 is fixed to the frame body 24 and closes the opening 241 (see FIG. 3). A packing P3 for sealing the viscous member 27 is interposed between the stamper 26 and the temperature control plate 23 along the periphery of the opening 241 (see FIG. 3).

The stamper 26 has a predetermined shape pattern consisting of a fine uneven pattern on the surface. The stamper 26 is fixed to the frame body 24 by vacuum suction and a predetermined fixture via a spacer 30 (see FIG. 2) described later (see FIG. 3). In addition, packings P1 and P2 for efficiently vacuum-sucking the stamper 26 are provided in each part of the mold parts 2A and 2B. The stamper 26 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the base material 4 by the temperature control plate 23 and then pressed against the base material 4 to thermally transfer a predetermined shape pattern to the base material 4.
The viscous member 27 is provided in a space surrounded by the stamper 26, the inner wall of the opening 241 and the temperature control plate 23 (see FIG. 3). The viscous member 27 is compressed when the base material 4 is pressed and the stamper 26 and the frame body 24 of each mold part 2A, 2B move downward or upward, respectively. Pressure is generated to make the pressure distribution on the base material 4 of the stamper 26 of the upper mold part 2B uniform.

The vacuum device 28 includes a wall portion 281 and a vacuum pressure supply device (not shown). The wall portion 281 is provided in a frame shape along the peripheral edge portion of the frame body 24, and is connected to the frame body 24 of the upper mold portion 2B by a stripper bolt 282 and a spring 283. The wall portion 281 forms a sealed space inside the wall portion 281 when the upper mold portion 2B is lowered. A vacuum pressure supply device (not shown) can suck the air in the sealed space from the vacuum suction hole 243 (see FIG. 2) to evacuate the sealed space and open the atmosphere opening hole 244 (see FIG. 2). The vacuum state of the sealed space can be released.
The escape groove 29 is for accommodating the upper part of the clamp block 5 described later when the upper mold part 2B and the lower mold part 2A are close to each other in order to press the base material 4.

[4. (Characteristic configuration of lower mold part)
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the lower mold part 2A, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the lower mold part 2A.
In addition to the above configuration, the lower mold part 2A includes a spacer 30, an insertion hole 31, a fixing means 32, a moving means 33 (FIG. 3), as shown in FIGS. Air blow hole 34 is provided.

The spacer 30 is formed in a U shape in plan view, and is disposed on the peripheral portion of the stamper 26, and fixes the stamper 26 to the frame body 24 with a predetermined fixing tool. The substrate 4 is disposed inside the spacer 30.
The insertion hole 31 is formed around the opening 241 in the frame body 24. A clamp block 5 for clamping the base material 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 31, and the clamp block 5 is pulled out at the time of releasing. That is, the insertion hole 31 detachably holds the clamp block 5. The insertion hole 31 functions as a press-side positioning unit that positions the base material 4 with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26 via the clamp block 5.

Thus, in this embodiment, since the base material 4 is positioned via the clamp block 5, even if the thickness of the base material 4 is as very thin as 0.5 mm, the base material 4 is made with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26. Can be positioned.
In addition, the base material 4 can be positioned while being clamped by the clamp block 5, and the base material 4 can be removed from the press device 1 while being clamped by the clamp block 5. The base material 4 can be processed based on the block 5, and the base material 4 can be processed accurately with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26.

Furthermore, since the base material 4 is fixed to the lower mold part 2A side by the clamp block 5 held in the insertion hole 31, the upper mold part 2B is moved to the lower mold part after the base material 4 is pressed. When separating from the mold part 2A, the base material 4 can be prevented from adhering to the stamper 26 of the upper mold part 2B.
Further, since the press-side positioning means is configured to include the insertion hole 31, the configuration can be simplified as compared with the case where the press-side positioning means is configured to include a clamping device that detachably clamps the clamp block 5.

4 is a side sectional view showing the clamp block 5, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the clamp block 5, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG.
The clamp block 5 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is formed slightly smaller than the insertion hole 31 in a sectional view. Moreover, the clamp block 5 is comprised so that the base material 4 can be clamped and a clamp can be cancelled | released easily. As shown in FIG. 4, such a clamp block 5 includes a block main body 51, a clamp member 52, a lid member 53, a pair of disc springs 54, and a pair of screws 55 (only one is shown). Yes.

  The block main body 51 is formed in an L shape in a side view and includes a step portion 511. On the upper surface 512 of the stepped portion 511, a convex portion 513 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the block main body 51 (the vertical direction in FIG. 4). The block main body 51 is formed with a pair of jig insertion holes 514 that extend in the vertical direction and have one end opening in the upper surface 510 of the block main body 51 and the other end opening in the convex portion 513. Further, a positioning groove 516 (FIG. 5) as a first engaging portion having a triangular shape in plan view is formed in the center portion of the back surface 515 of the block main body 51 along the vertical direction. A pressing protrusion 325 of a slider 321 described later comes into contact with the positioning groove 516.

The clamp member 52 is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the side, and is disposed so as to fit into the convex portion 513 at the stepped portion 511. A pair of storage holes 522 are formed in the lower surface 521 of the clamp member 52.
The disc spring 54 is disposed in the storage hole 522 and biases the clamp member 52 upward.
The lid member 53 is fixed to the block main body 51 with screws 55. In the lid member 53, support protrusions 531 are formed at portions corresponding to the pair of storage holes 522 of the clamp member 52. The support protrusion 531 is inserted into the storage hole 522 and supports the disc spring 54.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation when the clamp block 5 clamps the base material 4.
In order to clamp the base member 4 to such a clamp block 5, as shown in FIG. 7, the jig T is inserted from the jig insertion hole 514, and the clamp member 52 is moved downward against the urging force of the disc spring 54. Press. And in this state, after inserting the base material 4 into the gap formed between the clamp member 52 and the block main body 51 until it hits the convex portion 513, the jig T is pulled out from the jig insertion hole 514. The base material 4 is sandwiched between the clamp member 52 and the block main body 51 and is firmly clamped. At this time, the convex portion 513 is abutted against the base material 4 and functions as a block side positioning means for positioning the base material 4 with respect to the clamp block 5.

Returning to FIG. 3, the fixing means 32 includes a slider 321 and a cylinder 322.
A track hole 323 extending toward the clamp block 5 is formed in the slider 321. The slider 321 is provided so as to be slidable toward the clamp block 5 by a stripper bolt 324 inserted into the track hole 323 and screwed into the frame body 24. A pressing protrusion 325 (FIG. 5) as a second engaging portion having a leading edge formed in a curved line in plan view is formed at the leading end of the slider 321.
The cylinder 322 includes a telescopic arm portion 326 and is configured to be able to press the slider 321.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the fixing means 32.
As shown in FIG. 8, the fixing means 32 having such a configuration presses the slider 321 by the cylinder 322 after the clamp block 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 31, and the clamp block 5 is inserted by the slider 321 into the insertion hole 31. The clamp block 5 is positioned in the first direction which is the advancing / retreating direction of the slider 321. At the same time, the fixing means 32 moves the clamp block 5 by the slider 321 in the second direction (see FIG. 5) orthogonal to the forward / backward direction of the slider 321 so that the relationship between the pressing protrusion 325 and the positioning groove 516 is most stable. The clamp block 5 is also positioned in the second direction.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the pressing protrusion 325 is applied to the positioning groove 516 and the clamp block 5 is pressed against the inner wall of the insertion hole 31, so that the clamp block 5 can be positioned more accurately in the horizontal direction, and the base material 4 is thus extended. Therefore, the stamper 26 can be positioned more accurately with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26. In this embodiment, the fixing means 32 and the insertion hole 31 are provided, and a press side positioning means for holding the clamp block 5 in a detachable manner and positioning the base material 4 with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26 is configured. .

As shown in FIG. 8, the moving means 33 includes a support plate 331, a stripper bolt 332, and a spring 333.
The stripper bolt 332 and the spring 333 connect the support plate 331 and the frame body 24.
One spring 333 is provided on each side of the stripper bolt 332 in the second direction.

  The support plate 331 is disposed in the insertion hole 31 and supports the clamp block 5 so as to be movable up and down. Specifically, the support plate 331 supports the clamp block 5 at a high position and forms a gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 when the vacuum device 28 evacuates the wall portion 281. Thereby, it can prevent that the base material 4 and the stamper 26 contact | adhere, air remains between the base material 4 stampers 26, and thermal transfer cannot be performed correctly.

The support plate 331 is pressed downward by the upper mold part 2B via the clamp block 5 when the upper mold part 2B is lowered so that the press device 1 performs thermal transfer to the base material 4. It moves downward against the urging force of 33 and moves the clamp block 5 downward. And the base material 4 is hold | maintained horizontally at the clamp block 5 so that the clearance gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 may be lose | eliminated.
Further, the support plate 331 moves upward again by the upward biasing force of the spring 33 when the upper mold part 2B is separated from the lower mold part 2A after the base material 4 is thermally transferred. The clamp block 5 is supported at a high position, and a gap is formed between the base material 4 and the stamper 26. As a result, air blow holes 34, which will be described later, can eject air into the gap, and the base material 4 can be released from the stamper 26 more reliably.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the air blow hole 34.
As shown in FIG. 9, the air blow holes 34 are opened in the frame 24 below the base member 4 on the side clamped by the clamp block 5 and on both sides (FIG. 2) of the insertion hole 31. . The air blow holes 34 are also formed in the upper mold part 2B at positions corresponding to the air blow holes 34 of the lower mold part 2A (see FIG. 18).

  Each of these air blow holes 34 communicates with an air supply hole 341 that supplies air to the air blow hole 34. Each air blow hole 34 is inclined near the surface of the frame body 24 toward the gap between the base material 4 and the frame body 24, and air is efficiently supplied to the gap between the base material 4 and the frame body 24. It can be spouted. These air blow holes 34 eject air into the gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 when the upper mold part 2B is separated from the lower mold part 2A after the base material 4 is thermally transferred. 4 is separated from the stamper 26.

[5. (Configuration of base material set table)
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the base material set table 6. In addition, in the base material set table 6 and the cutting machine 7 mentioned later, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element similar to the element of the press apparatus 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified.
The base material set table 6 includes a table body 61 as shown in FIG. The table main body 61 is provided with an insertion hole 31, a fixing means 32, and a guide member 62.

The insertion hole 31 positions the clamp block 5 with respect to the guide member 62 (the base material 4 guided by the guide member 62) by inserting the clamp block 5 into the insertion hole 31.
The fixing means 32 presses the clamp block 5 against the inner wall of the insertion hole 31 by the slider 321 to position the clamp block 5 with respect to the guide member 62 more accurately.
The guide member 62 is formed of a pair of members that are formed in an L shape in plan view and are thicker than the opposing substrates 4. The guide member 62 guides the base material 4 when the base material 4 is clamped by the clamp block 5 inserted into the insertion hole 31.

[6. Configuration of processing machine
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the cutting machine 7.
The processing machine includes a cutting machine 7 shown in FIG. 11 and a smoothing machine (not shown).

The cutting machine 7 includes a table unit 71 and cutting means (not shown).
An insertion hole 31 for positioning the clamp block 5 with respect to a planned cutting line L, which will be described later, by inserting the clamp block 5 into the table portion 71, and pressing the clamp block 5 against the inner wall of the insertion hole 31 Fixing means 32 for positioning 5 more accurately with respect to the planned cutting line L is provided.

A cutting means (not shown) is constituted by, for example, a heat cutting machine or an end mill, and cuts an end edge portion 41 (hereinafter referred to as a clamp allowance) of the base material 4 on the side clamped by the clamp block 5 along a predetermined locus. That is, the cutting means cuts the clamp margin 41 of the base material 4 along a predetermined predetermined cutting line L. In the present embodiment, the planned cutting line L is set to be parallel to the edge of the base material 4 on the longitudinal direction side. Then, the cutting means separates the base material 4 into the clamp allowance 41 and the base material main body 42 by cutting the base material 4 along the planned cutting line L.
The smoothing machine is constituted by a processing machine such as a cutting machine and processes the end surface of the base body 42 smoothly. As will be described in detail later, this smoothing machine processes the facing surface F2 with respect to the cutting surface F1 of the base body 42 with the cutting surface F1 being abutted against an appropriate jig, so as to make the facing surface F2 a light incident surface. Form as.

[7. Manufacturing method of light guide plate as thermal transfer molded product]
Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the light-guide plate as a heat transfer molded product by the press system of the heat transfer molded product of this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the light guide plate, and FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the base material set table 6.

  In the light guide plate manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, first, the guide member 62 is clamped to the clamp block 5 in the base material set table 6 (clamping step S1). Specifically, the clamp block 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the base material set table 6, and the clamp block 5 is positioned more accurately with respect to the base material 4 by the fixing means 32. Then, the jig T is inserted into the jig insertion hole 514, the clamp member 52 (FIG. 7) is lowered, and the base member 4 is guided by the guide member 62, and the convex portion 513 is formed in the gap between the clamp member 52 and the block main body 51. The base plate 4 is clamped to the clamp block 5 while the base plate 4 is positioned with respect to the clamp block 5 by inserting the jig T from the jig insertion hole 514.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the press device 1 into which the base material 4 is carried. In FIGS. 14 to 16 and FIG. 18, the press device 1 is simplified for easy understanding.
After the clamping step S1, as shown in FIG. 14, the base block 4 and the clamp block 5 are carried into the press apparatus 1 by the carry-in / out means 8 having the suction means 81, and the base block 4 is clamped. Is inserted into the insertion hole 31 to position the base material 4 with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26 (first positioning step S2).

  Specifically, in the first positioning step S <b> 2, an insertion positioning step of positioning the base material 4 by inserting the clamp block 5 into the insertion hole 31, and pressing the clamp block 5 against the insertion hole 31 by the fixing means 32. And a press positioning step of positioning the base material 4 more accurately. In the insertion positioning step, the moving means 33 supports the clamp block 5 at a high position and forms a gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the press device 1 that evacuates the inside of the wall portion 281.
After the first positioning step S2, the press device 1 lowers the slide 12 to form a sealed space containing the base material 4 and the like in the wall portion 281 as shown in FIG. The space is evacuated (evacuation step S3). At this time, as described above, since the gap is formed between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 by the moving means 33, the base material 4 and the stamper 26 are in close contact, and the base material 4 and the stamper 26 are in close contact. It is possible to prevent air from remaining. And it can prevent that thermal transfer becomes inaccurate by this residual air.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the press device 1 that thermally transfers the shape pattern to the base material 4.
After the evacuation step S3, the press device 1 heats the stamper 26 of each mold part 2A, 2B to the softening temperature of the base material 4 or higher by the temperature control plate 23, and then lowers the slide 12, as shown in FIG. As described above, the shape pattern of the stamper 26 of each mold part 2A, 2B is thermally transferred to the back surface of the substrate 4 (thermal transfer step S4). At this time, the moving means 33 moves the clamp block 5 downward against the urging force of the spring 33 by being pressed downward by the upper mold part 2 </ b> B via the clamp block 5.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a shape pattern of the stamper 26 of the lower mold part 2 </ b> A and a shape pattern thermally transferred to the base material 4.
In this thermal transfer step S4, as shown in FIG. 17, since the base material 4 is positioned with respect to the shape pattern of the stamper 26 by the clamp block 5, the shape pattern of the stamper 26 is set to a predetermined shape with respect to the base material 4. Accurate thermal transfer in position and orientation.

  After the thermal transfer step S4, the press apparatus 1 cools the base material 4 to the softening temperature or less via the stamper 26 by the temperature control plate 23 while the base material 4 is sandwiched between the stampers 26. The shape pattern transferred to 4 is fixed. Then, the press device 1 releases the vacuum state of the sealed space in the wall portion 281 by the vacuum device 28. (Cooling / vacuum release step S5).

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the press device 1 for releasing the base material 4 from the stamper 26.
After the cooling / vacuum releasing step S5, the press device 1 raises the slide 12, thereby forming a gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 of the upper mold part 2B as shown in FIG. At this time, as the slide 12 moves up, the moving means 33 moves the clamp block 5 upward by the biasing force of the spring 33, so that there is also a gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 of the lower mold part 2A. Is formed. And the press apparatus 1 raises the slide 12 in this way, and forms a clearance gap between the base material 4 and each stamper 26, and at the same time, the air blow hole of each mold part 2A, 2B in each clearance gap. The base material 4 is released from each stamper 26 by ejecting air from 34 (release process S6).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the slide 12 is lifted to form a gap between the base material 4 and the stamper 26 of the upper mold part 2B, and at the same time, the moving means 33 and the lower side of the base material 4 Since gaps are also formed between the stamper 26 of the mold part 2A and air is blown into the gaps, the substrate 4 can be reliably released from the stamper 26. The ascending speed of the slide 12 is managed by the control device 14 (FIG. 1) so that the gaps formed between the base material 4 and the stampers 26 when air is blown out are optimal.

  After the mold release step S6, the press device 1 releases the fixation of the clamp block 5 by the fixing means 32 and raises the slide 12 to pull up the wall portion 281 from the lower mold portion 2A, and the base 4 and the clamp. The block 5 is brought into a state where it can be taken out by the carry-in / out means 8 (takeout enabling step S7).

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the cutting machine 7 that positions and holds the clamp block 5.
After the take-out enabling step S7, the carry-in / carry-out means 8 takes out the base material 4 and the clamp block 5 from the press device 1 and carries them into the cutting machine 7, and the base material 4 is clamped as shown in FIG. While the clamp block 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 31, the fixing means 32 presses the clamp block 5 against the inner wall of the insertion hole 31, and the base material 4 is positioned and fixed with respect to the planned cutting line L by the cutting machine 7 (second). Positioning step S8).

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the base material 4 cut by the cutting machine 7.
After the second positioning step S8, the cutting machine 7 cuts the clamp margin 41 of the base material 4 along the planned cutting line L and separates the base material 4 into the clamp margin 41 and the base body 42 (cutting step). S9). At this time, since the base material 4 is positioned with respect to the planned cutting line L, the shape pattern of the base material 4 can be determined in a predetermined direction with respect to the cutting surface F1 of the base material body.

  After the cutting step S9, the cutting surface F1 is abutted against a suitable jig as a processing reference surface, and the opposing surface F2 of the cutting surface F1 is smoothed by a smoothing machine such as a cutting machine to be a light incident surface. An optical plate is manufactured (light incident surface forming step S10). At this time, since the shape pattern of the base material 4 is determined in a predetermined direction with respect to the cutting surface F1, the light incident surface parallel to the cutting surface F1 is also in a predetermined direction with respect to the shape pattern of the base material 4 And the performance of the light guide plate can be maintained well. In the present embodiment, the processing step is configured by including the light incident surface forming step S10 and the cutting step S9.

[8. Modification of Embodiment]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the above embodiment, the stamper 26 is provided in both the lower mold part 2A and the upper mold part 2B. However, the stamper 26 includes the lower mold part 2A and the upper mold part 2B. It may be provided only in either one.
In the above embodiment, the positioning means is configured to include the insertion hole 31, but the positioning means may be configured to include a clamping device that detachably clamps the clamp block 5, for example. Any structure can be adopted as long as it can be detachably held.

In the above-described embodiment, the moving unit 33 includes a spring, but may include a cylinder, and an appropriate configuration may be employed as long as the clamp block 5 can be moved up and down.
In the embodiment, the positioning groove 516 is formed on the clamp block 5 side and the pressing protrusion 325 is formed on the fixing means 32 side. However, the protrusion is formed on the clamp block 5 side, and the protrusion is formed on the fixing means 32 side. An engaging groove may be formed.

  In the above embodiment, the mold apparatus, press apparatus, and thermal transfer molded product manufacturing method of the present invention are applied to the molding of a very thin light guide plate for a liquid crystal display of a notebook PC. The press device and the method for producing a thermal transfer molded product can be applied to molding of a diffusion plate for a liquid crystal display, molding of a lens, an optical disk substrate, etc., and can be applied to molding of an appropriate thermal transfer molded product. Moreover, a processing machine is not limited to the structure of this embodiment, A suitable structure can be employ | adopted according to the heat transfer molded product to manufacture.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a mold device for forming a thermal transfer molded product, a thermal transfer press device, and a method for manufacturing a thermal transfer molded product, and in particular, for forming a thin light guide plate for a liquid crystal display of a notebook PC. It can be suitably used for a mold apparatus, a thermal transfer press apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a thermal transfer molded product.

Sectional drawing which shows the thermal transfer press apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows a lower mold part. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of a lower mold part. A side sectional view showing a clamp block. The top view which shows a clamp block. VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement when a clamp block clamps a base material. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a fixing means. Sectional drawing which shows an air blow hole. The top view which shows a base material set table. The top view which shows a cutting machine. The flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of a light-guide plate. The top view which shows a base material set table. Sectional drawing which shows the press apparatus in which a base material is carried in. Sectional drawing which shows the press apparatus which evacuates the inside of a wall part. Sectional drawing which shows the press apparatus which thermally transfers a shape pattern to a base material. The figure which shows the shape pattern of a stamper, and the shape pattern thermally transferred by the base material. Sectional drawing which shows the press apparatus which molds a base material from a stamper. The top view which shows the cutting machine which positions and holds a clamp block. The top view which shows the base material cut | disconnected by the cutting machine.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermal transfer press apparatus, 2 ... Mold apparatus, 2A ... Lower mold part, 2B ... Upper mold part, 5 ... Clamp block, 26 ... Stamper, 31 ... Insertion hole, 32 ... Fixing means, 33 ... Moving means 34 ... Air blow hole, 41 ... Clamp margin (end edge part), 42 ... Base material body, 325 ... Pressing projection (second engaging part), 516 ... Positioning groove (first engaging part), F1 ... Cut surface (Processing standard), S2 ... First positioning step, S4 ... Thermal transfer step, S8 ... Second positioning step, S9 ... Cutting step, S10 ... Light incident surface forming step.

Claims (8)

A mold apparatus that is provided in a thermal transfer press apparatus and thermally transfers a predetermined shape pattern to a base material,
A lower mold part on which the substrate is placed;
An upper mold part approaching and separating from the lower mold part;
A stamper provided on at least one of the lower mold part and the upper mold part, and having the predetermined shape pattern,
The lower mold part is provided with positioning means for detachably holding a clamp block for clamping the base material and positioning the base material with respect to the shape pattern. Mold device. The mold apparatus according to claim 1,
The said positioning means is provided with the insertion hole in which the said clamp block is inserted. The metal mold apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The mold apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The clamp block is formed with a first engagement portion made of one of a groove and a protrusion,
The positioning means includes a fixing means having a second engagement portion that is formed of the other of the groove and the protrusion and engages with the first engagement portion,
The fixing means presses the first engaging portion by the second engaging portion, presses the clamp block against the inner wall of the insertion hole, and positions and fixes the clamp block. apparatus. The mold apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The upper mold part and the lower mold part each include an air blow hole for blowing air between the base material and each mold part. The mold apparatus according to claim 4,
The lower mold part includes a moving unit that moves the clamp block up and down to form a gap between the base material and the lower mold part.   A thermal transfer press apparatus comprising the mold apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A method of manufacturing a thermal transfer molded product,
A first transfer step of holding a clamp block in a state in which the base material is clamped in a thermal transfer press device, and positioning the base material with respect to a stamper shape pattern;
A thermal transfer step of causing the thermal transfer press device to thermally transfer the shape pattern to the substrate;
The shape pattern is thermally transferred, the base material clamped by the clamp block is carried into a processing machine, and the processing machine holds the clamp block in a state of clamping the base material. A second positioning step for positioning;
And a processing step of processing the base material by the processing machine. In the manufacturing method of the heat transfer molded article of Claim 7,
The processing step is
A cutting step of cutting the edge portion of the base material on the side clamped by the clamp block by the processing machine, and separating the base material into the cut edge portion and the base material body,
And a light incident surface forming step of forming a light incident surface by smoothing an end surface of the substrate main body using the cut surface of the substrate main body as a processing reference. A method for producing a thermal transfer molded article.

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