JP5453200B2 - Molding apparatus and molding method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a molding apparatus and a molding method for cooling and solidifying a molded body obtained by heating and compressing a preform.

  For example, the lens is obtained by heating and compressing a preform made of an optical material such as glass to form a predetermined lens shape, and cooling and solidifying the obtained molded body. In such a molding apparatus used for compression molding, there is known one in which a temperature distribution is given to the molding surface of a mold in accordance with the thickness of the molded body (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The molding apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 gives a temperature distribution to the molding surface of the mold when cooling the molded body, and has a cooling rate on the surface of the thick part compared to the cooling rate on the surface of the thin part of the molded body. Fast. Thereby, the occurrence of sink marks in the thick part is prevented, and the molding accuracy is improved.

JP 62-95210 A JP-A 63-159227

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 both specify the temperature distribution of the molding surface of the mold when the molded body obtained by heating and compressing the preform is cooled and solidified, but when the preform is heated and compressed. The effect of the temperature distribution of the molding surface of the mold on the molding accuracy is not considered.

  Preforms are typically spread radially between molding surfaces by heat compression. At that time, for example, when the molding surface is a complicated shape in molding of an optical lens or the like, the outer edge portion of the preform and the molding surface of the mold are in contact with each other at the initial stage of heat compression, and more than the center portion of the preform. By first softening and adhering to the molding surface, an air pool may be formed between the preform and the molding surface, which may remain as a dent in the molded body.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve molding accuracy in compression molding of a preform.

(1) A pair of molds that are compressed with a preform interposed therebetween, and a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of at least one of the pair of molds, wherein the temperature adjusting unit includes the temperature adjusting unit. The high temperature region which is equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform on the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is controlled by the contact with the preform at the start of compression of the preform according to the progress of compression of the preform A molding device that gradually expands toward the outer diameter side with the contact portion of the molding surface as the center.
(2) A molding method in which a preform is heated and compressed with a pair of molds, the temperature of at least one of the pair of molds is adjusted, and the preform is formed on the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted. A high-temperature region that is equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform is directed toward the outer diameter side with a contact portion of the molding surface in contact with the preform at the start of compression of the preform as the compression of the preform progresses. A molding method that gradually expands.

  According to the present invention, molding accuracy can be improved in compression molding of a preform.

The figure which shows an example of the shaping | molding apparatus for describing embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows a pair of type | mold and temperature control means of the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the III-III line cross section in FIG. The figure which shows the process of heat-pressing and shape | molding a preform with the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the process of cooling and solidifying a molded object with the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. It is a modification of the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. 1, Comprising: The figure which shows a pair of type | mold and temperature control means. The figure which shows the process of heat-pressing and shape | molding a preform with the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG. The figure which shows the process of cooling and solidifying a molded object with the shaping | molding apparatus of FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a molding apparatus.

  The molding apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is to mold a preform made of an optical material such as glass or thermoplastic transparent resin into a predetermined lens shape, and cool and solidify the resulting molded body to obtain a lens.

  The molding apparatus 1 includes a pair of an upper mold 10 and a lower mold 11 that sandwich a preform 2 therebetween, and a molding mold 3 that includes a body mold 17 that surrounds the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, and an upper mold 10 and a lower mold. Drive means 4 that expands and contracts the space between the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, and a controller 6 that controls the operation of the drive means 4 and the temperature adjustment means 5. ing.

  Forming surfaces are provided on the opposing surfaces of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, respectively. The molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 are formed by inverting the shapes of the optical surfaces on the front and back surfaces of the lens obtained by molding the preform 2. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the front optical surface is a concave curved surface, and the back optical surface is a convex curved lens. The molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is a convex curved surface, and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is a concave curved surface. ing.

  The lower mold 11 and the trunk mold 17 are placed on the base 7, and the upper mold 10 is held by the driving means 4. As the driving means 4, for example, a cylinder / piston is used, and the upper mold 10 is moved up and down. Thereby, the space | interval of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold | type 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold | type 11 is expanded / contracted. Instead of moving the upper mold 10 up and down, the lower mold 11 may be moved up and down, or both the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 may be moved up and down.

  The temperature adjusting means 5 adjusts the temperature of both the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 and forms a desired temperature distribution on the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 as will be described in detail later. It is configured to be possible. Note that the temperature of either the upper mold 10 or the lower mold 11 may be adjusted.

  The controller 6 operates the temperature adjusting means 5 to heat the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 and simultaneously operates the driving means 4 to lower the upper mold 10. Thereby, the preform 2 sandwiched between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is heated and compressed to be molded into the lens shape described above. Then, the controller 6 operates the temperature adjusting means 5 to cool the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11. Thereby, the molded body molded into the lens shape is cooled and solidified to form a lens.

  2 and 3 show in detail the structure of the temperature adjusting means 5 and the associated upper mold 10 and lower mold 11.

  The temperature adjusting means 5 includes a heating means for raising the temperatures of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, a cooling means for lowering the temperatures of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperatures of the upper mold and the lower mold. 22 is included. A heater is used as the heating means, and the heater 20 is provided in each of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11. A low-temperature gas is used for the cooling means, and the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 are formed with gas flow holes 15 through which the gas flows. Further, the temperature sensor 22 is provided in each of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11. The cooling means is not limited to circulating low-temperature gas through the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11, but may be a system for circulating fluid such as low-temperature oil through the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11. Further, the heating means is not limited to the heater, and fluid such as high-temperature gas or oil may be circulated through the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11. By separately providing the heating means and the cooling means, heating and cooling can be performed in combination, and the temperature adjustment of the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 can be performed more finely and easily.

  The upper mold 10 is formed with a plurality of heater accommodating holes 14 and a plurality of gas flow holes 15, and a plurality of temperature sensors 22 are embedded therein. The heater housing holes 14, the gas flow holes 15, and the temperature sensor 22 are arranged along the molding surface 12. Referring also to FIG. 3, the plurality of heater housing holes 14 are arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically around the central portion of the molding surface 12. The plurality of gas flow holes 15 are also arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically around the central portion of the molding surface 12. The rows of heater accommodating holes 14 and the rows of gas flow holes 15 are alternately arranged. The plurality of temperature sensors 22 form a plurality of rows concentrically centering on the central portion of the molding surface 12, and the row of the temperature sensors 22 includes the heater receiving holes 14 and the rows of the gas flow holes 15. Placed between

  A heater 20 is inserted into each heater housing hole 14, and a blow nozzle 21 is inserted into each gas flow hole 15. Electric power is supplied to each heater 20 independently from a power source (not shown), and low temperature gas is supplied to each blow nozzle 21 independently from a pump (not shown). Each temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature inside the upper mold 10 in the vicinity of the molding surface 12. Supply of electric power to each heater 20 and supply of low-temperature gas to each blow nozzle 21 are controlled by the controller 6 based on the temperature of each part of the upper mold 10 detected by each temperature sensor 22. Thereby, a desired temperature distribution is formed on the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10.

  Similarly, the lower mold 11 is also formed with a plurality of heater housing holes 14 and a plurality of gas flow holes 15, and a plurality of temperature sensors 22 are embedded therein. The heater housing hole 14, the gas flow hole 15, and the temperature sensor 22 are distributed along the molding surface 13. The plurality of heater housing holes 14 are arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically around the central portion of the molding surface 13. The plurality of gas flow holes 15 are also arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically around the central portion of the molding surface 13. The rows of heater accommodating holes 14 and the rows of gas flow holes 15 are alternately arranged. The plurality of temperature sensors 22 form a plurality of rows concentrically with the central portion of the molding surface 13 as the center, and the rows of the temperature sensors 22 are formed by the adjacent heater accommodation holes 14 and the rows of the gas flow holes 15. Arranged between.

  A heater 20 is embedded in each heater accommodation hole 14, and a blow nozzle 21 is inserted in each gas circulation hole 15. Electric power is supplied to each heater 20 independently from a power source (not shown), and low temperature gas is supplied to each blow nozzle 21 independently from a pump (not shown). Each temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature inside the lower mold 11 in the vicinity of the molding surface 13. Supply of electric power to each heater 20 and supply of low-temperature gas to each blow nozzle 21 are controlled by the controller 6 based on the temperature of each part of the lower mold 11 detected by each temperature sensor 22. Thereby, a desired temperature distribution is formed on the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11.

  FIG. 4 shows a process in which the preform 2 is heated and compressed by the molding apparatus 1. The figure also shows the temperature distribution of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 in each step.

  The preform 2 is placed on the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. The molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is a concave curved surface, and the preform 2 is located at the center of the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. Then, the upper mold 10 is lowered, and the preform 2 is sandwiched between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. The molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is in contact with the preform 2 at its center, and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is also in contact with the preform 2 at its center. The central surface of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is a high temperature region that is equal to or higher than the softening temperature (glass transition point) Tg of the preform. Similarly, the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 also has a central portion in a high temperature region equal to or higher than the softening temperature Tg of the preform. (FIG. 4A)

  The upper mold 10 is lowered, and the preform 2 is heated and compressed between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. The preform 2 is spread radially between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 by heat compression. As the compression of the preform 2 progresses, the high temperature region of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is gradually expanded toward the outer diameter side with the center portion as the center. Such a change in temperature distribution is formed by the temperature adjusting means 5. For example, the supply of electric power to a plurality of heaters 20 (see FIG. 2) provided in the upper mold 10 in a plurality of concentric rows is formed. It can be formed by starting in sequence from the row closest to the substantially central portion of the surface 12 to the row on the outer diameter side. Further, while supplying electric power to all of the plurality of heaters 20 provided in the upper mold 10, a plurality of concentric circles are formed in a plurality of rows to the plurality of gas flow holes 15 provided in the upper mold 10 (see FIG. 2). The low-temperature gas supply can also be stopped by sequentially stopping from the row closest to the substantially central portion of the molding surface 12 to the example on the outer diameter side. According to this, it is possible to shorten the time required for raising the temperature of each part of the upper mold 10. Similarly, the high temperature region of the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is also gradually enlarged toward the outer diameter side with the center portion as the center as the compression of the preform 2 proceeds. The center portion of the preform 2 is softened prior to the outer edge portion, and gradually adheres to the molding surfaces 12 and 13 from the center portion toward the outer edge portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent air from being accumulated between the preform 2 and the molding surfaces 12 and 13. (FIG. 4B)

  When the preform 2 is spread over the entire cavity surrounded by the upper mold 10, the lower mold 11, and the body mold 17, and the molding of the preform 2 by heating and compression is completed, the lowering of the upper mold 10 is stopped. In that state, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 are entirely in a high temperature region. (FIG. 4C)

  In the above process, the high temperature regions of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 have a temperature distribution that becomes higher as the distance between the molding surfaces is smaller. The smaller the distance between the molding surfaces, the smaller the thickness of the preform 2 there, and the easier it is to cool. Accordingly, the temperature distribution in the high temperature region of each of the molding surfaces 12 and 13 is a temperature distribution that becomes higher as the distance between the molding surfaces becomes smaller, so that the softened portion of the preform 2 has a substantially uniform temperature. Thus, distortion can be suppressed and molding accuracy can be increased. In the illustrated example, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is a convex curved surface, and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is a concave curved surface, and the distance between the molding surfaces is smaller at the center. Therefore, the temperature distribution in the high temperature region of each of the molding surfaces 12 and 13 is a temperature distribution that becomes higher at the center. Such a temperature distribution is formed by the temperature adjusting means 5. In particular, since the lens shape is typically an object to be rotated, a plurality of heaters 20 and a plurality of gas flow holes 15 respectively provided in the upper mold 10 and the lower mold 11 in a plurality of concentric circles are provided. Can be easily formed.

  FIG. 5 shows a process of cooling and solidifying the molded body by the molding apparatus 1. The drawing also shows the temperature distribution of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 in the process of cooling and solidifying the molded body.

  The preform 2 formed by molding the preform 2 into a predetermined lens shape through the molding process described above is cooled in a state of being sandwiched between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. Solidify. At that time, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 have temperature distributions such that the lower the distance between the molding surfaces, the lower the temperature. The greater the distance between the molding surfaces, the greater the thickness of the molded body 8 there, and the more difficult it is to cool. Accordingly, the temperature distribution of each of the molding surfaces 12 and 13 is set to a temperature distribution that becomes lower as the distance between the molding surfaces becomes larger, so that the molded body 8 can be cooled at a substantially uniform speed throughout. It is possible to suppress the formation of local sink marks in the molded body 8 and to increase the molding accuracy. In the illustrated example, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is a convex curved surface, and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is a concave curved surface, and the distance between the molding surfaces increases toward the outer edge. Therefore, the temperature distribution of each of the molding surfaces 12 and 13 is a temperature distribution that becomes lower at the outer edge portion. Such a temperature distribution is formed by the temperature adjusting means 5. In particular, since the lens shape is typically an object to be rotated, a plurality of heaters 20 and a plurality of gas flow holes 15 (see FIG. 2)). Further, the cooling efficiency of the molded body 8 can be improved by such temperature distribution.

  FIG. 6 shows a modification of the molding apparatus 1. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified by attaching | subjecting a common code | symbol to the element which is common in the shaping | molding apparatus 1 mentioned above.

  A molding apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 6 molds the preform 2 to obtain a lens having both convex and concave optical surfaces. Therefore, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 are both concave curved surfaces.

  FIG. 7 shows a process of molding the preform 2 by heating and compression by the molding apparatus 101. The figure also shows the temperature distribution of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 in each step.

  The preform 2 is placed on the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. The molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is a concave curved surface, and the preform 2 is located at the center of the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. Then, the upper mold 10 is lowered, and the preform 2 is sandwiched between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. The molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is in contact with the preform 2 at its center, and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is also in contact with the preform 2 at its center. The molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 has a central portion in a high temperature region equal to or higher than the softening temperature (glass transition point) Tg of the preform 2. Similarly, the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 also has a central portion in a high temperature region equal to or higher than the softening temperature Tg of the preform 2. (FIG. 7A)

  The upper mold 10 is lowered, and the preform 2 is heated and compressed between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. The preform 2 is spread radially between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 by heat compression. As the compression of the preform 2 progresses, the high temperature region of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 is gradually expanded toward the outer diameter side with the center portion as the center. The high temperature region of the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 is also gradually enlarged toward the outer diameter side with the center portion as the center as the compression of the preform 2 proceeds. The center portion of the preform 2 is softened prior to the outer edge portion, and gradually adheres to the molding surfaces 12 and 13 from the center portion toward the outer edge portion. (FIG. 7B)

  When the preform 2 is spread over the entire cavity surrounded by the upper mold 10, the lower mold 11, and the body mold 17, and the molding of the preform 2 by heating and compression is completed, the lowering of the upper mold 10 is stopped. In that state, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 are entirely in a high temperature region. (FIG. 7C)

  In the above process, the high temperature regions of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 have a temperature distribution that becomes higher as the distance between the molding surfaces is smaller. In the illustrated example, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 are both concave curved surfaces, and the distance between the molding surfaces is smaller toward the outer edge portion. Therefore, the temperature distribution in the high temperature region of each of the molding surfaces 12 and 13 is a temperature distribution that becomes higher at the outer edge portion.

  FIG. 8 shows a process of cooling and solidifying the molded body 8 by the molding apparatus 101. In the figure, the temperature distribution of the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 in the process of cooling and solidifying the molded body 8 is also shown.

  The molded body 8 is cooled and solidified while being sandwiched between the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11. At that time, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 have temperature distributions such that the lower the distance between the molding surfaces, the lower the temperature. In the illustrated example, the molding surface 12 of the upper mold 10 and the molding surface 13 of the lower mold 11 are both concave curved surfaces, and the distance between the molding surfaces increases toward the center. Therefore, the temperature distribution of each of the molding surfaces 12 and 13 is a temperature distribution that becomes lower at the center.

  The above-described examples are all obtained by molding a preform to obtain a lens. However, the present invention is not limited to a lens, and can be applied to molding a preform into molded bodies having various shapes.

  As described above, the present specification includes a pair of molds that compress with a preform interposed therebetween, and a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of at least one of the pair of molds, The temperature adjusting means is configured to start the compression of the preform in accordance with the progress of the compression of the preform in a high temperature region that is equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform on the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means. A molding apparatus is disclosed that gradually expands toward the outer diameter side with the contact portion of the molding surface in contact with the preform at the center.

  Further, in the molding apparatus disclosed in the present specification, the temperature adjusting means sets the temperature distribution in the high temperature region to a temperature distribution that becomes higher as the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds becomes smaller.

  Further, in the molding apparatus disclosed in the present specification, the temperature adjusting means includes a plurality of heating means provided in a mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means, and the plurality of heating means includes the temperature adjusting means. A plurality of rows are arranged concentrically around the contact portion of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is controlled by means.

  Further, the molding apparatus disclosed in the present specification further includes a plurality of cooling means provided in the mold in which the temperature adjusting means is temperature-controlled by the temperature adjusting means, and the plurality of cooling means includes: A plurality of rows are arranged concentrically around the contact portion of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means.

  Further, in the molding apparatus disclosed in the present specification, the temperature adjusting means indicates the temperature distribution of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means, and the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds is determined. The molded body formed by molding the preform is cooled and solidified as the temperature distribution becomes lower as the temperature increases.

  Further, the molding apparatus disclosed in this specification forms a preform made of an optical material into a predetermined lens shape.

  The present specification also provides a molding method in which a preform is heated and compressed with a pair of molds, and the temperature of the mold is adjusted by adjusting the temperature of at least one of the pair of molds. A high-temperature region that is equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform on the surface, centering on a contact portion of the molding surface that comes into contact with the preform at the start of compression of the preform as the compression of the preform progresses. A molding method that gradually expands toward the outer diameter side is disclosed.

  Further, in the molding method disclosed in the present specification, the temperature distribution in the high temperature region is set to a temperature distribution that becomes higher as the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds becomes smaller.

  Further, in the molding method disclosed in the present specification, the temperature distribution of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted is set as the temperature distribution that becomes lower as the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds becomes larger. The molded body formed by molding the preform is cooled and solidified.

  Further, the molding method disclosed in this specification forms a preform made of an optical material into a predetermined lens shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Molding device 2 Preform 3 Mold 4 Driving means 5 Temperature adjusting means 6 Controller 7 Base 8 Molded body 10 Upper mold 11 Lower mold 12 Molding surface 13 Molding surface 14 Heater accommodating hole 15 Gas flow hole 16 Sensor accommodating hole 17 Body 20 Heater 21 Blow nozzle 22 Temperature sensor

Claims (10)

A pair of molds that compress with a preform in between;
Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of at least one of the pair of molds;
With
The temperature adjusting means starts the compression of the preform in accordance with the progress of the compression of the preform in a high temperature region that is equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform on the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means. A molding apparatus that gradually expands toward the outer diameter side with the contact portion of the molding surface in contact with the preform at the center. The molding apparatus according to claim 1,
The said temperature control means is a shaping | molding apparatus which makes temperature distribution of the said high temperature area | region the temperature distribution which becomes high temperature, so that the distance between the molding surfaces of a pair of said mold | die is small. The molding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The temperature adjusting means includes a plurality of heating means provided in a mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means,
The molding apparatus in which the plurality of heating means are arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically around the contact portion of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means. The molding apparatus according to claim 3,
The temperature adjusting means further includes a plurality of cooling means provided in the mold that is temperature-controlled by the temperature adjusting means,
The molding device in which the plurality of cooling means are arranged in a plurality of rows concentrically around the contact portion of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means. It is a shaping | molding apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The preform is a temperature distribution in which the temperature adjusting means adjusts the temperature distribution of the molding surface of the mold, the temperature of which is adjusted by the temperature adjusting means, as the temperature distribution becomes lower as the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds increases. A molding device that cools and solidifies a molded body formed by molding. It is a shaping | molding apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5,
A molding apparatus for molding a preform made of an optical material into a predetermined lens shape. A molding method in which a preform is heated and compressed with a pair of molds,
By adjusting the temperature of at least one of the pair of molds, a high temperature region that is equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the preform on the molding surface of the mold to be temperature-adjusted, according to the progress of compression of the preform, A molding method that gradually expands toward the outer diameter side with the contact portion of the molding surface in contact with the preform at the start of compression of the preform. The molding method according to claim 7,
A molding method in which the temperature distribution in the high temperature region is set to a temperature distribution that becomes higher as the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds is smaller. The molding method according to claim 8,
The temperature distribution of the molding surface of the mold whose temperature is adjusted is set to a temperature distribution that becomes lower as the distance between the molding surfaces of the pair of molds becomes larger, and the molded body formed by molding the preform is cooled and solidified. Molding method. It is the shaping | molding method as described in any one of Claims 7-9,
A molding method for molding a preform made of an optical material into a predetermined lens shape.

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