TWI397507B - Forming method and device - Google Patents

Description

Molding method and device

The present invention relates to a molding method and apparatus, in which a molding material is placed between a pair of dies, a pair of dies and a molding material are heated and pressed to form a billet, and then a pair of dies and molded articles are slowly cooled to take out the molded article.

In recent years, glass optical lenses have been molded by a press molding method with high precision of molding technology. At this time, a clot or a prepolymer (hereinafter referred to as a "molded blank") is placed between a pair of dies including a high-precision molding surface, and the mold is molded by a heating element such as high-frequency induction heating or infrared lamp heating. The molding material is heated to a temperature near the glass transition point, and then one of the molds is pressed toward the other mold to form a molding material.

When heating the mold and the molding blank, it is necessary to prevent oxidation of the metal portion of the member adjacent to the mold and the mold. Therefore, in the molding chamber of the adjustable environment, the vicinity of the front end of the upper and lower shafts supporting the mold and the mold is accommodated, and an inert gas flows through the molding chamber, thereby maintaining the space of the metal member including the mold and its periphery in an inert gas atmosphere or vacuum. Environment (Patent Document 1).

Generally, as shown in FIG. 23, the operation of manufacturing a glass optical element by press molding is divided into a supply of a molding material, heating, pressurization, slow cooling, rapid cooling, and a stroke of taking out a molded article. At the time of press molding, the mold is heated to a temperature above the glass transition point (normal glass pressing temperature: about 500 to 600 ° C). Then, it is slowly cooled to a temperature (500 to 300 ° C) below the glass transition point by a slow cooling step, and then cooled to a normal temperature (0 to 70 ° C) by a quenching step, and the molded article is taken out.

However, the slow cooling and quenching steps take time because they are cooled to normal temperature. Further, in the next molding, it is necessary to reheat the mold and the molding material to a temperature higher than the glass transition point, so that the heating step also takes time. Therefore, it is desirable to omit the rapid cooling and only take out the slow cooling, and then take out the molded article and shorten the loop time involved in molding.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-253722.

However, the mold temperature after the slow cooling step is a temperature below the glass transition point, but is still high. When the molded article is taken out in such a high-temperature environment, the open molding chamber is opened, and the outside air intrudes, and the oxygen in the air reacts with the high-temperature metal. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the mold and the metal adjacent thereto are partially oxidized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above disadvantages, and an object thereof is to provide a molding method and apparatus capable of preventing removal of a molded article in a high-temperature environment while preventing oxidation of a mold.

An aspect of the present invention includes: a partition member that separates the pair of at least the molding material supplied to the molding material between the pair of molds and the molded product molded by pressurization of the pair of molds The periphery of the mold is formed with an inlet and outlet for taking out the molded article at the time of the separation; and a gas supply mechanism that supplies an inert gas to a space partitioned by the partition member.

The material of the partition member is preferably formed of a metal or resin material having heat resistance. Further, as the shape, a cylinder or a cylinder having a rectangular cross section or the like is preferable. The entrance and exit is preferably a rectangular or circular shape having a size for the robot or the transfer arm to enter and exit.

A pair of dies are heated by a heating assembly prior to molding. The heating unit may be configured to move between the heating position around the pair of molds and the non-heating position retracted in parallel with the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism through the support mechanism. At this time, it is preferable to move to a position where the space is shielded in conjunction with the movement of the heating unit to the non-heating position. For example, as the partition member, an opening having one of a pair of openings having a tubular portion and located at both ends of the tubular portion may be attached to the heating unit, and the pair of the mold may be shielded from being moved to the non-heating position with the heating unit. The shielding position of the space around it and the retracted position where the tubular portion is retracted from the space when the heating unit is moved to the heating position are moved, and an entrance for taking out the molded product is formed. Further, it is preferable to include a supply/exhaust switching mechanism that exhausts the space that is shielded by the movement of the heat transmitting unit to the heating position during slow cooling, and that at least the molded product is taken out through the tank. The opening provided in the space described above supplies an inert gas to the space shielded by the partition member.

The heating unit is composed of a heating element that heats the molding material and a pair of molds, that is, a heating mechanism, and a holding member that holds the heating mechanism. The holding member is preferably configured to move to a heating position through the heating assembly during heating and pressurization (forming) to shield a space including the pair of dies and the periphery thereof.

The heating means preferably has a cylindrical heat-transmissive inner wall disposed inside the pair of the molds and an outer wall of the heat-transmissive inner wall and arranged in parallel with the pressurizing direction. A plurality of infrared lamps are formed. Moreover, instead of an infrared lamp, an induction heating coil can be used. Further, the inner wall of the heat ray permeability needs to be formed of a material which is less absorbed by the heat ray, such as a transparent quartz tube or the like, so that the hot wire emitted from the infrared ray lamp is efficiently irradiated to the mold and the formed blank. Therefore, it is preferable to form a part of the holding member by the inner wall of the heat ray permeability.

The heating assembly moves to a heating position during heating and pressurization (forming) to shield the space. Maintaining this state begins to slow down. At the time of slow cooling, the heating of the heating unit is stopped, and the gas supply means supplies the inert gas to the space through the flow path provided inside the pair of dies, thereby cooling the pair of dies and the molded article. At this time, the supply/exhaust switching mechanism exhausts the space through an opening provided in the space. If it is cooled to the temperature at which the molded article can be taken out, the heating assembly is moved to the non-heating position at the same time or at the same time, and the space is shielded by the partition member next time. At this time, the supply/exhaust switching mechanism supplies the inert gas from the opening so that the pressure of the space shielded by the partition member is higher than the atmosphere. Thereby, when the molded article is taken out from the inlet and outlet provided in the partition member, the pair of the mold and its periphery can be maintained in an inert gas atmosphere.

Further, as another aspect of the present invention, the support mechanism includes a support mechanism that movably supports the heating assembly between a heating position surrounding a pair of the molds and a non-heating position retracted from the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism; The telescopic member is disposed in association with the movement of the heating assembly between the extended state in which the space containing the pair of dies and the periphery thereof is blocked when the heating assembly is in the non-heating position, and the contracted state retracted from the space when the heating assembly is in the heating position And, in the extended state, the inlet and outlet for taking out the molded article are formed; and the gas supply means supplies the inert gas into the space through the opening provided in the space at least when the molded article is taken out.

The heating assembly moves between a heated position around a pair of mold perimeters and a non-heated position retracted therefrom. The telescopic member and the heating assembly are moved to the non-heating position to be displaced into an extended state, and the space containing the pair of molds and the periphery thereof is shielded. As a connection between the heating unit and the telescopic member, one end of the telescopic member is attached to the end of the heating unit opposite to the direction in which the non-heating position is moved, and the telescopic member is attached to the fixed frame disposed in the direction in which the heating unit moves toward the heating position. One end, in conjunction with the movement of the heating assembly, allows the extension of the telescopic member to expand and contract.

As the telescopic member, a bellows shape, such as a bellows or a folding cylinder of a lantern, is preferably formed of a material having heat resistance of metal or resin. Further, the shape is preferably a cylindrical shape, a rectangular cross section, and a polygonal shape. As the entrance and exit, it is preferable to have a rectangular or circular shape of a size for the robot or the transfer arm to enter and exit. As the serpentine tube, since the inner edge and the outer edge of the annular heat-resistant sheet are joined to each other, the serpentine tube which is sleeved is compact and can obtain a large amount of expansion and contraction, which is preferable.

In the serpentine tube in which a plurality of sheets are sleeved, the amount of expansion and contraction between the sheets is not constant, so that the height of the entrance and exit may change each time the state is in an extended state. Therefore, it is preferable that the interval restricting member that changes between the tension state in which the outer edge interval of each sheet is restricted at an interval in the extended state and the slack state in the contracted state when the outer edge is joined is in an extended state. The height of the entrance and exit is always maintained at a certain height.

The heating unit has a heating means for heating a pair of dies and a molding material, and a holding means for holding the heating means. The holding member is moved to the heating position by heating and molding (pressurization), thereby shielding the space including the pair of dies and the periphery thereof by the cooperation with the telescopic members in the contracted state.

The heating means preferably has a cylindrical heat-transmissive inner wall disposed inside the pair of the molds and an outer wall of the heat-transmissive inner wall and arranged in parallel with the pressurizing direction. A plurality of infrared lamps are formed. Moreover, instead of an infrared lamp, an induction heating coil can be used. Further, the inner wall of the heat ray permeability needs to be formed of a material having a small absorption of the heat ray, such as a transparent quartz tube, so that the hot wire emitted from the infrared ray lamp can be efficiently irradiated to the mold and the formed blank. Therefore, it is preferable to form a part of the holding member by the inner wall of the heat ray permeability.

A pair of dies are heated by a heating assembly prior to molding. The heating assembly moves the heating assembly through the support mechanism between a heating position around the periphery of the pair of dies and a non-heating position retracted in parallel with the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism. During heating and molding, the heating assembly is moved to the heating position, and the space is shielded by the holding member. In this space, in order to prevent oxidation of the mold, an inert gas is supplied through an opening provided in the space. At the start of the slow cooling, the heating of the heating unit is stopped, and the inert gas is supplied to the space through the gas supply path provided inside the pair of molds to gradually cool the pair of molds and the molded product. At this time, the air is exhausted from the above opening. When the molded article is cooled to a temperature at which the molded article can be taken out, the supply of the inert gas to the gas supply path is stopped, and the heating unit is moved to the non-heating position, and the space is blocked by the elastic member. At this time, the inert gas is supplied from the opening to make the pressure in the space higher than the atmosphere. Thereby, when the molded article is taken out from the inlet and outlet which are formed when the stretchable member is in the extended state, the pair of the mold and its periphery can be maintained in a state of maintaining the inert gas atmosphere.

In the present invention, comprising: a pair of molds; a heating assembly that heats a molding blank placed between the pair of molds; a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the heated molding blank to form a molded product; and a partition member that separates the pair a space for the mold and the periphery thereof; a gas supply mechanism that supplies an inert gas into the space through the inside of the pair of molds; and a supply/exhaust switching mechanism that has an opening that is exposed in the space and switches the inert gas through the opening Supply and exhaust in the above space.

In the case of slow cooling, the gas supply means supplies the inert gas into the space through the inside of the pair of dies, and the supply/exhaust switching mechanism transmits the space through the opening provided in the space other than the pair of dies. Exhaust inside. Further, at least when the molded article is taken out, the supply/exhaust switching mechanism supplies the inert gas into the space partitioned by the partition member through the opening.

The heating assembly is disposed at a heating position around the periphery of the pair of dies at least during heating and pressurization (forming). When the molded article is taken out, it is necessary to evacuate the inconvenience heating unit to a non-heating position. When the heating unit is configured to shield the space between the pair of dies and the periphery thereof by heating and pressurizing, the air flows into the space when the heating unit is retracted. Therefore, a fixed shielding cylinder (separating member) can be provided on both shafts disposed on both sides of the pair of dies and supporting the respective molds, and a heating unit can be provided around the shielding cylinder. At this time, an entrance for taking out the molded product is provided in the shielding cylinder. When the heating unit is moved to the heating position, the entrance and exit are shielded, and the entrance is retracted to the non-heating position to expose the inlet. Therefore, the molded product is taken out while maintaining the environment of the space in an inert gas atmosphere.

Further, as the partition member, the above-described shielding cylinder may be moved in connection with the movement of the heating unit. At this time, by moving the heating unit to the non-heating position, the shielding cylinder is pulled out to shield the space. Further, the partitioning member may be a telescopic member such as a serpentine tube or a bellows that is displaced between the shielding state in which the space is blocked and the retracted state retracted from the space. When the telescopic member is used, one end is attached to the end opposite to the direction in which the heating element moves toward the non-heating position, and the other end is attached to the fixed frame disposed in the direction in which the heating mechanism moves toward the heating position. As the entrance and exit, it is preferable to have a rectangular or circular shape of a size for the robot or the transfer arm to enter and exit. This entrance and exit is generated when it is in an extended state.

The heating assembly has a retaining member that maintains a heating mechanism that heats a pair of dies and forming blanks. The heating element moves to the heating position while the holding member is heated and molded (pressurized), thereby shielding the space containing the pair of dies and its periphery.

The heating means is preferably a cylindrical heat-transmissive inner wall that is disposed inside the pair of the molds, and a plurality of inner walls that are disposed outside the heat-transmissive inner wall and that are arranged in parallel with the pressurizing direction. Infrared light is formed. Moreover, instead of an infrared lamp, an induction heating coil can be used. Further, the inner wall as the heat ray permeability needs to be formed of a material having a small absorption of the heat ray, such as a transparent quartz tube, etc., so that the hot wire emitted from the infrared ray lamp can be efficiently irradiated to the mold and the formed blank. Therefore, it is preferable to form a part of the holding member by the inner wall of the heat ray permeability.

The gas supply mechanism supplies an inert gas into the space through the inside of the pair of dies. The supply/exhaust switching mechanism supplies and exhausts the inert gas through a plurality of openings of a portion other than the pair of molds provided in the space. It is preferable to provide any one of the plurality of openings in the holding member of the heating unit so that the inert gas passes through the front surface of the transparent quartz tube, since the cooling function of the heating mechanism can also be performed.

According to the present invention, the partition member includes at least the periphery of the pair of dies when the molding material is supplied and when the molded product is taken out, and an inlet and outlet for taking out the molded product at the time of separation; and a gas supply mechanism for separating the molded product Since the space in which the components are separated is supplied with the inert gas, it is possible to prevent the oxidation of the mold and to take out the molded product in a high temperature environment.

Further, according to the present invention, the heating assembly is disposed to be movable between the heating position and the non-heating position, and the telescopic member is displaced into an extended state in association with moving the heating assembly to the non-heating position, and the pair of telescopic members are shielded from being covered by the telescopic member. Since the mold and the space around it and the inert gas are supplied to the space, the space can be made into an oxygen-free state. Further, by continuously supplying an inert gas to the space, the pressure in the space is higher than the atmosphere. Therefore, even if the inlet and outlet which are generated when the inert gas is in an extended state from the elastic member flows out to the outside, no air flows into the space. Therefore, even in a high-temperature environment, it is possible to take out the molded article while preventing oxidation. Further, when the heating unit is moved to the heating position by using the telescopic member, the space for retreating is small.

According to the present invention, a partition member that partitions a pair of dies and its periphery, a gas supply mechanism that supplies an inert gas into the space through the inside of the pair of dies, and a supply of the inert gas and a space in the space through the opening in the space are included. Since the supply/exhaust switching mechanism of the exhaust gas is supplied, the supply/exhaust switching mechanism can supply the inert gas to the space shielded by the partition member through the opening, thereby making the space an oxygen-free state and allowing the space to be in an oxygen-free state. Since the pressure in the space is higher than the atmosphere, even if the molded article is taken out through the inlet and outlet of the partition member, the atmosphere does not flow into the space. Therefore, the molded article can be taken out while preventing oxidation in a high-temperature environment.

In addition, when the gas is supplied into the space shielded by the partition member by the flow path of the gas supply means that supplies the inert gas into the space through the inside of the pair of molds, the pair of molds may be excessively cooled. Since the flow path of the open exhaust gas in the space is supplied with the inert gas, excessive cooling of the pair of dies can be prevented, so that the time involved in the heating step at the time of the next molding can be shortened.

Hereinafter, an embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Moreover, in the additional drawings, the same components are attached with the same symbols.

[Embodiment 1]

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the molding apparatus 10 according to the present invention is roughly divided into an upper mold unit 11, a lower mold unit 12, a heating unit 13, a partition member 14, and the like.

The upper mold assembly 11 is fixed to the fixed shaft 16 through the heat insulating member 15. The fixed shaft 16 is provided to extend downward from an upper portion of the frame (not shown). The upper mold assembly 11 is composed of a molding plate 17, a fixed mold 18, and an upper mold 19. The molding plate 17 is formed of a material such as ceramic or metal, and the upper end is fixed to the heat insulating member 15, and the fixed mold 18 is held at the lower end. The fixed mold 18 is formed of a material such as ceramic or metal to constitute a part of the mold, and the upper mold 19 is fixed to the formed plate 17. The upper mold 19 is formed of a material such as ceramic or cemented carbide, and forms a molding surface on the lower surface.

A drive mechanism 20 such as a screw jack is provided at a lower portion of the frame (not shown). The drive mechanism 20 converts the rotation obtained by the drive source such as the servo motor into a linear motion to raise and lower the drive shaft 21. A moving shaft 23 is attached to the front end of the drive shaft 21 through the load detector 22, and a lower mold unit 12 is provided through the heat insulating member 24 at the front end of the moving shaft 23. Further, the output signal of the load detector 22 is input to the control unit 25. The control unit 25 controls the drive mechanism 20 based on the output signal, and controls the speed, the position, the axial load, and the like of the drive shaft 21.

The lower mold assembly 12 is composed of a molding plate 27, a movable mold 28, and a lower mold 29. The molded plate 27 is formed of a material such as ceramic or metal, and the lower end is fixed to the heat insulating member 24, and the movable mold 28 is held at the upper end. The movable mold 28 is formed of a material such as ceramic or metal to constitute a part of the mold, and the lower mold 29 is fixed to the forming plate 27. The lower mold 29 is formed of a material such as ceramic or cemented carbide, and forms a molding surface on the upper surface.

The heating unit 13 is configured to hold the heating mechanism by the holding member, and the non-heating position of the heating mechanism surrounding the periphery of the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 through the supporting mechanism (refer to FIG. 2) and the retraction parallel thereto from the pressing direction. The position (refer to FIG. 1) is freely supported between the movements. The support mechanism is a guide rail 30 that is disposed in parallel with the pressurization direction. The heating unit 13 is moved to one of the above two positions by the drive obtained by the driving unit 31. The drive of the drive unit 31 is controlled by the control unit 25.

The holding member is constituted by the upper and lower plates 33, 34 and the outer cylinder 35 in a cylindrical shape. The heating mechanism is composed of a plurality of infrared lamps 36 housed inside the outer cylinder 35 and a transparent quartz tube 37 constituting the inner cylinder. The transparent quartz tube 37 is a cylindrical quartz glass and constitutes a part of the holding member. The infrared lamp 36 is provided in a plurality of stages vertically on the outer circumference of the transparent quartz tube 37, and a pair of dies and a molding blank are heated by radiant heat through a lens quartz tube (hot-line permeable inner wall) 37. The upper/lower mold assemblies 11, 12 and their surrounding spaces are shielded while the retaining member is in the heated position.

Although not shown, the tip end of the thermocouple for temperature measurement is attached to the inside of the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12. The rear end of the thermocouple is connected to the control unit 25. The infrared lamp 36 controls the switch through the control unit 25, and adjusts the output of the infrared lamp 36 based on the detection signal obtained by the thermocouple. Further, the infrared lamps 36 of the respective stages constitute a circular infrared lamp using a pair of semicircular (ohmic) infrared lamps. Further, although not shown, a mirror is provided on the opposite side of the transparent quartz tube 37 with respect to the infrared lamp 36.

In detail, a plurality of gas supply/discharge ports 40, which will be described later, are provided on the upper plate 33 of the heating unit 13. These gas supply/exhaust ports 40 are provided such that an inert gas is supplied into the space through the front surface of the transparent quartz tube 37. Thereby, the cooling action of the heating means can be performed, so that the phenomenon that the fixed shaft 16 comes into contact with or approaches the heat source and becomes high temperature can be prevented. A sheet 48 is attached to the inner circumference of the upper plate 33. The sheet 48 allows the movement of the heating assembly 13 to be maintained in an airtight state with the fixed shaft 16. On the other hand, a fixed lower support plate 41 constituting a part of the frame is provided on the outer circumference of the moving shaft 23. In detail, the lower support plate 41 is provided with a plurality of airtight holes 32 that allow the movement of the moving shaft 23 while maintaining the airtight state, and a gas supply/discharge port 42 which will be described later.

A partition member 14 is attached to the lower end of the heating unit 13 (the end opposite to the direction in which the heating unit 13 moves toward the non-heating position). The partition member 14 has a cylindrical portion 14b having a circular cross section and is formed of a material having heat resistance. The upper end of the tubular portion 14b is fixed to the heating unit 13, and the lower end is slidably supported by the lower support plate 41. The partitioning member 14 is disposed in contact with the movement of the heating unit 13 and the cylindrical portion 14b shields the shielding position of the pair of dies and the space around it (FIG. 1) and the tubular portion 14b from the space to retreat to the lower retracted position (FIG. 2). Move between. The space is a space formed between the lower surface of the heating unit 13, the lower surface of the fixed shaft 16, the upper surface of the lower support plate 41, and the upper surface of the moving shaft 23. When the partition member 14 is in the shielding position, the space is shielded by the cooperation with a part of the heating unit 13. On the contrary, when the partition member 14 is moved to the retracted position, the heating unit 13 shields the space by the cooperation with a part of the partition member 14.

As shown in Fig. 3, a rectangular inlet and outlet port 14a for taking out a molded article is formed on a part of the outer periphery of the partition member 14. The robot enters and exits through the inlet and outlet 14a, and supplies the molded material and the molded product.

When the shielding position and the retracted position are attached to the inner surface of the partition member 14, an elastic member 43 for maintaining the space in an airtight state with the lower support plate 41 is attached. As the elastic member, an O-ring or a sponge formed of a material having heat resistance is preferable. Further, the shape of the partition member 14 may be a rectangular cylinder. Further, if the partition member 14 is made transparent, the inside can be seen, which is preferable. Further, the inlet and outlet port 14a is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be circular.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lens molding is roughly divided into five steps of supply of the formed blank, heating (including waiting time), pressurization, slow cooling, and removal of the molded article. During the heating step from the pressurizing step to the slow cooling step, the heating assembly 13 is moved to the heating position, and the heating assembly 13 shields the space (including the space of the upper/lower mold assemblies 11, 12 and its surroundings). Further, between the step of taking out the molded article and the step of supplying the new formed blank, the heating unit 13 is moved to the non-heating position, and instead, the partitioning member 14 is moved to the shielding position, and the space is shielded by the partitioning member 14.

At the time of slow cooling (at the time d1 shown in the same figure), the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and the molded articles are slowly cooled. As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling passes through the fixed shaft 16, the heat insulating member 15, and the gas supply path 49 provided inside the upper mold assembly 11, and an inert gas (for example, nitrogen) is supplied from the plurality of openings provided in the upper mold assembly 11. 50 is supplied to the space shielded by the heating unit 13, and the inert gas is supplied from the plurality of openings 53 provided in the lower mold unit 12 through the moving shaft 23, the heat insulating member 24, and the gas supply path 51 provided inside the lower mold unit 12. Into the above space, the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and the molded article are cooled. At this time, the gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42 provided in the space are exhausted, and the space is exhausted, thereby eliminating the accumulation of the inert gas or the pressure in the space, thereby making the control of the slow cooling easy. get on. Further, although not shown, a flow rate controller is connected to the supply paths 49 and 51, and the control unit 25 adjusts the gas supply device connected to each of the gas supply paths 49 and 51 based on the flow rate value obtained by the flow rate controller (the present invention The supply amount of the gas supply mechanism).

A supply/exhaust switching mechanism (supply/exhaust switching mechanism of the present invention) 60 is connected to each of the pipes that are sleeved in the respective gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42. The supply/exhaust switching mechanism 60 is composed of a switch 61, an exhaust valve 62, an exhaust device 63, and a gas supply device 64. The switch 61 is connected to a gas supply pipe that connects the gas supply device 64 and a discharge pipe that is connected to the exhaust device 63 through the exhaust valve 62. When the switch 61 is switched to the supply position, the gas supply pipe is connected to the gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42 and the inert gas is supplied from the gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42. When the exhaust position is switched, the discharge piping is connected to the gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42, and the gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42 serve as exhaust ports. The switching of the switches 61 through the control unit 25 is individually controlled. Further, although not shown, a flow rate controller is connected to the gas supply pipe, and the control unit 25 individually adjusts the supply amount of the gas supply device 64 based on the flow rate value obtained by the flow rate controller.

The heating unit 13 is moved to the non-heating position at the beginning of the molded article taking-out step (time e1 shown in Fig. 4). At this time, the inert gas is supplied from the respective gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42 to the space shielded by the partition member 14 by the switching of the switches 61. Thereby, during the period from the time of the removal of the molded article and the supply of the new molded blank, the space is maintained in an inert gas atmosphere to prevent the mold from being oxidized. Further, the supply of the inert gas through the inside of the space is set to be higher than the pressure of the atmosphere. Therefore, there is no phenomenon that the atmosphere flows into the space from the outside through the inlet and outlet 14a. Moreover, the movement of the heating assembly 13 towards the non-heating position can also be performed at the end of the slow cooling step.

The function of the above structure will be briefly explained. As shown in Fig. 1, at the step of supplying the shaped blank, the heating unit 13 is moved to the non-heating position, and instead, the partition member 14 is moved to the shielding position, and the partitioning member 14 shields the space between the pair of molds and their surroundings. At this time, each of the switches 61 is switched to the supply position, and inert gas is supplied from the respective gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42 to the space. In this state, the robot 70 is moved in and out through the inlet and outlet 14a to transfer the molding blank 71 to the lower mold assembly 12.

As shown in Fig. 2, after the molding blank 71 is supplied, the heating unit 13 is moved to the heating position, and the partitioning member 14 is moved to the retracted position in association therewith. Thereby, the heating unit 13 shields the space, and the heating unit 13 shields the space by the cooperation with a part of the evacuated partition member 14. After the heating assembly 13 is moved to the heating position, the infrared lamp 36 is turned on to start heating. Further, in this heating step, in order to prevent oxidation of the mold, the gas supply device supplies a small amount of inert gas to the space through the openings 50, 53 through the gas supply paths 49, 51. When the heating is started, the control unit 25 switches the switches 61 to the exhaust position, and exhausts the inert gas in the space from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 40 and 42 in a very short time.

If the temperature of the molding blank and the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 reaches a predetermined molding temperature above the glass transition point, the molding blank and the upper and lower molds 11 and 12 are heated until uniform (waiting step), as shown in FIG. As shown, the drive mechanism 20 is driven at a time when the heat is uniform, the lower mold assembly 12 is moved toward the upper mold assembly 11, the movable mold 28 is pressed against the fixed mold 18, and the molded blank 71 is pressed, and this state is continued for a certain period of time. During this time, the switch of the infrared lamp 36 is controlled so that the mold temperature becomes a certain temperature. Further, during this period, the gas supply mechanism continuously supplies a small amount of inert gas through the openings 50, 53. The control unit 25 adjusts the supply amount of the supply mechanism within a slight range from the processing step to the pressurization step in accordance with the mold temperature. Further, the control unit 25 switches the above-described switches 61 to the exhaust position, and exhausts a small amount from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 40, 42 to make the space in the space from the heating step to the pressurizing (forming) step. The pressure does not rise.

After a certain period of time, the infrared lamp 36 is turned off to perform slow cooling. As shown in FIG. 5, the slow cooling is that the gas supply means supplies the inert gas to the gas supply paths 49, 51, cools the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and the molded articles, and each of the supply/exhaust switching mechanisms 60 switches the switch. 61 is switched to the exhaust position to exhaust from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 40, 42. At this time, the heating assembly 13 is moved to the heating position, so the environment including the space of the upper/lower mold assemblies 11, 12 and its surroundings is maintained in an inert gas atmosphere or a vacuum environment. Further, in addition to the supply of the inert gas to the gas supply paths 49, 51, it is also possible to control the weak lighting of the infrared lamp 36 so as to control to make a predetermined temperature gradient during slow cooling.

When the molded article and the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 are cooled to a temperature below the glass transition point, as shown in FIG. 8, the drive mechanism 20 is driven to retract the lower die assembly 12 from the upper die assembly 11 to open the mold. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the heating assembly 13 is moved to the non-heating position. Thereby, the partition member 14 is moved to the shielding position to shield the space. At the same time or after a certain period of time elapses, each supply/exhaust switching mechanism 60 switches the switch 61 to the supply position, and supplies inert gas from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 40, 42 to the space.

The inert gas supplied from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 40, 42 merges at the periphery of the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 in the open state to be rectified, so that the environment of the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and their surroundings can be maintained. In a high concentration inert gas environment. Further, since the space shielded by the partition member 14 becomes a pressure higher than the atmosphere, there is no phenomenon that the atmosphere enters from the entrance and exit 14a.

As shown in FIG. 9, after the switching of the gas supply is performed, the robot 70 is taken in and out through the inlet and outlet 14a, and the molded article 73 is taken out from the lower mold unit 12. At this time, the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 become high temperatures below the glass transition point. However, since the space shielded by the partition member 14 is maintained in an inert gas atmosphere, oxidation of the metal member of the mold and its periphery can be prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for the next molding, a new molding blank 71 is supplied while maintaining the environment. In the heating step at the time of the next molding, the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and their periphery are maintained at a high temperature, so that the temperature above the glass transition point can be rapidly heated.

[Examples]

As the molding blank 71, an optical glass having a refractive index (nd) of 1.50 or more and an optical constant having an Abbe number ( v d) of 60 to 65 and a glass transition point (Tg) of 500 to 580 ° C is used. (For example, K-PBK40 (Sumita Optics) grinding pre-formed material) was molded. Even if the molded article is taken out from the mold, there is no problem that the glass viscosity is at least 10 ^11.5 dPa‧s or more. As shown in Fig. 4, according to experiments, even if the molded article was taken out in the range of the temperature of the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 in the range of 300 to 500 ° C (temperature below the glass transition point), the mold was not oxidized. Thereby, the quenching step can be omitted, and the heating time can be shortened. Thus, the loop time involved in molding can be shortened to approximately 2/3 as compared with the prior art illustrated in FIG.

[Embodiment 2]

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the upper mold unit 11, the lower mold unit 12, and the heating unit 13 are included in the present embodiment as in the first embodiment. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the expansion member 114 is included as a partition member.

In detail, the upper plate 33 of the heating unit 13 is provided with a plurality of gas supply/exhaust ports 140 to be described later. These gas supply/exhaust ports 140 are provided such that an inert gas is supplied into the space through the front surface of the transparent quartz tube 37. Thereby, the cooling action of the heating means can be performed, so that the phenomenon that the fixed shaft 16 comes into contact with or close to the heat source and becomes high temperature can be prevented. A sheet 48 is attached to the inner circumference of the upper plate 33. The sheet 48 allows the movement of the heating unit 13 while maintaining an airtight state with the fixed shaft 16. On the other hand, the outer periphery of the moving shaft 23 is provided with a lower support plate 41 constituting a part of the frame. In detail, the lower support plate 41 is provided with a plurality of airtight holes 32 that allow the movement of the moving shaft 23 while maintaining the airtight state, and is provided in detail with a plurality of gas supply/exhaust ports 142 which will be described later.

One end of the cylindrical stretchable member 114 is fixed to the end (lower end) opposite to the direction in which the heating unit 13 is moved toward the non-heating position. The stretchable member 114 is formed of a material having heat resistance. The lower end is fixed to the lower support plate 41. The telescopic member 114 is displaced into an extended state in association with the movement of the heating unit 13 toward the non-heating position, shields the space of the upper/lower mold assemblies 11 and 12 and its periphery (refer to FIG. 10), and is heated toward the heating unit 13 The movement of the position is coupled to the contracted state, and is evacuated from the space (see FIG. 11).

As shown in FIG. 12, the expansion/contraction member 114 is formed with an entrance and exit 114a which is formed in a rectangular shape in an extended state. The entrance and exit 114a is formed as an opening of a size that allows the robot 70 to enter and exit. The stretchable member 114 has a cylindrical shape in an extended state. Alternatively, it may be a cross-sectional rectangle or a polygonal cylinder. Further, if the elastic member 114 is made transparent, the inside can be seen, which is preferable. Further, the inlet and outlet port 114a is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be circular.

The stretchable member 114 is a serpentine tube formed of a heat-resistant material into a tubular shape. As shown in FIG. 13, the elastic member 114 is a plurality of sheets of heat-resistant sheets 44 which are formed in a ring shape, and are sequentially joined and sleeved on the inner edge of one of the sheets 44 adjacent to the inner edge 44a of each sheet 44. 44a or an outer edge 44b of the other sheet 44 adjacent to the outer edge 44b is formed in a tubular shape. Further, as the sheet 44, a sheet made of silicone rubber is preferred because it has elasticity and high heat resistance. In addition, as the elastic member 114, a tubular member made of a metal material having heat resistance, a pressure member is applied from the inner side of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder, and a plurality of mountains are formed in the expansion and contraction direction, and the peripheral surface is expanded and contracted. Tube and so on.

A heat-resistant ribbon (spacer restricting member) 45 is joined between the outer edges 44b of the respective sheets 44. When the stretchable member 114 is in the extended state, the ribbon 45 is in a tensioned state in which the interval between the outer edges 44b of the respective sheets 44 is restricted to a constant interval, and the stretchable member 114 is changed to a relaxed state at the time of the contraction device. By installing the ribbon 45, the inlet and outlet 114a can be always positioned to a certain height when the telescopic member 114 is extended. Preferably, the ribbon 45 is provided at least in the vicinity of both sides of the inlet and outlet 114a (refer to Fig. 12). Further, instead of the ribbon 45, a cord or a belt having heat resistance can also be used. Further, reference numerals 46 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 indicate axes of the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 disposed inside the telescopic member 114.

As shown in Fig. 14, the lens molding is roughly divided into five steps of supply of the formed blank, heating (including waiting time), pressurization, slow cooling, and removal of the molded article. During the heating step from the pressurizing step to the slow cooling step, the heating assembly 13 is moved to the heating position, shielding the space partitioned inside the heating unit 13 (including the space of the upper/lower mold assemblies 11, 12 and its surroundings). Further, during the step of taking out the molded article to the supply step of the new formed blank, the heating unit 13 is moved to the non-heating position, and the elastic member 114 is displaced in the extended state in association with the movement, and the space is blocked by the elastic member 144.

At the start of slow cooling (at the time d1 shown in the same figure), the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and the molded articles are slowly cooled. As shown in FIG. 15, the cooling is transmitted through the fixed shaft 16, the heat insulating member 15, and the gas supply path 49 provided inside the upper mold assembly 11, and an inert gas (for example, nitrogen) is supplied from the plurality of openings provided in the upper mold assembly 11. 50 is supplied to a space partitioned inside the heating unit 13, and the inert gas is supplied from the plurality of lower mold units 12 through the moving shaft 23, the heat insulating member 24, and the gas supply path 51 provided inside the lower mold unit 12. The opening 53 is supplied to the above space, and the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and the molded article are cooled. At this time, the gas is supplied through the gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 to eliminate the accumulation of the inert gas or the pressure rise in the space, and the control of the slow cooling is facilitated. These gas supply/exhaust ports 40, 42 constitute the opening of the present invention. Further, although not shown, the gas supply paths 49 and 51 are connected to a flow rate control meter, and the control unit 25 adjusts the supply amount of the gas supply devices connected to the respective gas supply paths 49 and 51 based on the flow rate value obtained by the flow rate control meter. The gas supply means, the gas supply paths 49, 51, and the plurality of openings 50, 53 provided in the pair of dies constitute the gas supply means of the present invention.

A supply/exhaust switching mechanism (supply and exhaust mechanism of the present invention) 60 is connected to each of the pipes of the gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142. The supply/exhaust switching mechanism 60 is composed of a switch 61, an exhaust valve 62, an exhaust device 63, and a gas supply device 64. The switch 61 is connected to a gas supply pipe that connects the gas supply device 64 and a discharge pipe that is connected to the exhaust device 63 through the exhaust valve 62. When the switch 61 is switched to the supply position, the gas supply pipe is connected to the gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142, and the inert gas is supplied from the gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142. When the exhaust position is switched, the discharge piping is connected to the gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142, and the gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 are the exhaust ports. The switching of each of the switches 61 is individually controlled by the control unit 25. Further, although not shown, a flow rate controller is connected to the gas supply pipe, and the control unit 25 individually adjusts the supply amount of the gas supply device 64 based on the flow rate value obtained by the flow rate controller.

As shown in Fig. 16, at the beginning of the molded article taking-out step (at time e1 shown in Fig. 14), the heating unit 13 is moved to the non-heating position. At this time, the inert gas is supplied from the respective gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 to the space shielded by the partition member 114 by the switching of the switches 61. Thereby, during the period from the time of the removal of the molded article and the supply of the new molded blank, the environment of the space is maintained in an inert gas atmosphere to prevent the mold from being oxidized. Further, the supply of the inert gas through the inside of the space is set to be higher than the pressure of the atmosphere. Therefore, there is no phenomenon that the atmosphere flows into the space from the outside through the inlet and outlet 114a. Moreover, the movement of the heating assembly 13 towards the non-heating position can also be performed at the end of the slow cooling step.

Further, although not shown, a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor that detects temperature and pressure in the space is installed in the space. These detection signals are input to the control unit 25. The control unit 25 controls the gas supply mechanism and the supply/exhaust switching mechanism 60 independently according to the flow rate of each flow path, the temperature and pressure in the space, and the mold temperature so as to be a flow rate, a pressure, and a temperature set in advance in each step. .

The function of the above structure will be briefly explained. As shown in Fig. 10, at the step of supplying the shaped blank, the heating unit 13 is moved to the non-heating position, and instead, the telescopic member 114 is displaced into an extended position, and the telescopic member 114 shields the space between the pair of molds and their surroundings. At this time, each of the switches 61 is switched to the supply position, and inert gas is supplied from the respective gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 to the space. In this state, the robot 70 is taken in and out through the inlet and outlet 114a, and the formed blank 71 is transferred to the lower mold assembly 12.

As shown in Fig. 11, after the molding blank 71 is supplied, the heating unit 13 is moved to the heating position, and the stretching member 114 is brought into a contracted state in association with this movement. At this time, the space is shielded by the heating unit 13 and the telescopic member 114 in the contracted state. After the heating assembly 13 is moved to the heating position, the infrared lamp 36 is turned on to start heating. Further, in the heating step, in order to prevent the mold from being oxidized, the gas supply means supplies a small amount of inert gas to the space through the openings 50, 53 through the gas supply paths 49, 51. When the heating is started, the control unit 25 switches the switches 61 to the exhaust position, and exhausts the inert gas in the space from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 in a very short time.

If the temperature of the molding blank and the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 reaches a predetermined molding temperature above the glass transition point, the molding blank and the upper and lower molds 11 and 12 are heated until uniform (waiting step), as shown in FIG. It is shown that the driving mechanism 20 is driven at a time when the heat is uniform, the lower mold assembly 12 is moved toward the upper mold assembly 11, and the movable mold 28 is pressed against the solid molded mold blank 71 to continue the state for a certain period of time (waiting steps) ). During this time, the switch of the infrared lamp 36 is controlled so that the mold temperature becomes a certain temperature. Further, during this period, the gas supply mechanism continuously supplies a small amount of inert gas through the openings 50, 53. The control unit 25 adjusts the supply amount of the gas supply mechanism within a small amount in accordance with the mold temperature during the process from the processing step to the pressurizing step. Further, the control unit 25 switches the above-described switches 61 to the exhaust position and exhausts a small amount from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 140, 142 so that the pressure in the space is from the heating step to the pressurizing (forming) step. The period does not rise.

After a certain period of time has elapsed, the infrared lamp 36 is turned off to perform slow cooling. As shown in Fig. 15, the slow cooling is that the gas supply mechanism supplies the inert gas to the gas supply paths 49, 51, cools the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and the molded articles, and switches the switch 61 to the exhaust position. The upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 are exhausted. At this time, the heating unit 13 is maintained at the heating position, so the environment including the space of the upper/lower mold assemblies 11, 12 and its surroundings is maintained in an inert gas atmosphere. Further, in addition to the supply of the inert gas to the gas supply paths 49, 51, the control can also control the weak lighting of the infrared lamp 36 to control the formation of a predetermined temperature gradient during slow cooling.

When the molded article and the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 are cooled to a temperature lower than the glass transition point, as shown in Fig. 18, the drive mechanism 20 is driven to retract the lower die assembly 12 from the upper die assembly 11 to open the mold. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 16, the heating assembly 13 is moved to the non-heating position. The telescopic member 114 is displaced in an extended state in association with the movement, and the telescopic member 114 shields the space. At the same time or after a lapse of a certain period of time, the gas supply means stops supplying the supply of the inert gas to the gas supply paths 49, 51, and each supply/exhaust switching mechanism 60 switches the switch 61 to the supply position, and the inert gas is switched from above to below. Gas supply/exhaust ports 140, 142 are supplied to the above space. The supply amount at this time is larger than the supply amount of the inert gas supplied to the gas supply paths 49 and 51 by the gas supply means at the time of slow cooling (refer to 21).

The inert gas supplied from the upper and lower gas supply/exhaust ports 140 and 142 merges in the open state of the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 to be rectified, so that the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 and the surrounding environment thereof can be used. Maintain a high concentration of inert gas. Further, since the space shielded by the elastic member 114 becomes a pressure higher than the atmosphere, there is no phenomenon that the atmosphere enters from the inlet and outlet 114a.

As shown in FIG. 19, after the switching of the gas supply is performed, the robot 70 is taken in and out through the input port 114a, and the molded article 73 is taken out from the lower mold unit 12. At this time, the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 become high temperatures below the glass transition point. However, the environment of the space shielded by the elastic member 114 is maintained in an inert gas atmosphere, so that oxidation of the metal member of the mold and its periphery can be prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, for the next molding, a new molding blank 71 is supplied while maintaining the environment. In the heating step at the time of the next molding, the upper/lower die assemblies 11, 12 and their periphery are maintained at a high temperature, so that the temperature above the glass transition point can be rapidly heated.

[Examples]

As the molding material 71, an optical constant having a refractive index (nd) of 1.50 or more, an optical constant having an Abbe number ( v d) of 60 to 65, and an optical transition point (Tg) in the range of 500 to 580 ° C are used. Glass (for example, K-PBK40 (Sumita Optics) grinding pre-formed material) was molded. Even if the molded article is taken out from the mold, there is no problem that the glass viscosity is at least 10 ^11.5 dPa‧s or more. As shown in Fig. 14, according to the experiment, even if the molded article was taken out in the range of the temperature of the upper/lower die assemblies 11 and 12 in the range of 300 to 500 ° C (temperature below the glass transition point), the mold was not oxidized. Thereby, the quenching step can be omitted and the heating time can be shortened. Thus, the loop time involved in the molding can be shortened to approximately 2/3 as compared with the prior art described in FIG.

In addition, FIG. 21 further briefly shows the supply/stop timing of the gas supply means, the supply of the supply/exhaust switching mechanism 60, the exhaust gas switching timing, and the respective gas supply amounts.

As shown in FIG. 20, as the elastic member 114, the elastic member 83 which consists of the cylinder of the two components of the outer cylinder 80 and the inner cylinder 81 can also be used. In this case, the upper end of the outer cylinder 80 is attached to the lower surface of the heating unit 13, and the inner cylinder 81 is detachably connected to the inner side of the outer cylinder 80. According to this, in association with the movement of the heating unit 13 toward the heating position, the inner cylinder 81 abuts against the lower frame 84, is completely accommodated in the outer cylinder 80, and the telescopic member 83 is displaced into a contracted state. Then, the outer cylinder 80 is taken out in association with the movement of the heating unit 13 toward the non-heating position. When the movement exceeds the height of the inner cylinder 81, the engaged portion provided on the outer peripheral portion of the inner cylinder 81 is engaged with the outer cylinder 80. The engaging portion 85 at the lower portion of the inner surface moves the inner cylinder 81 together with the outer cylinder 80 to change into an extended state. Further, reference numeral 80a is an entrance for taking out a molded article. The inlet and outlet port 80a is formed in the outer tube 80, but may be formed in the inner tube 81 or may be formed separately from both sides. Further, instead of being composed of a cylinder of two members, it may be constituted by a cylinder of three or more members.

In each of the above embodiments, the gas supply/discharge port 40 (gas supply/exhaust port/40) is mounted on the heating unit 13 and moved together with the heating unit 13, as shown in FIG. 22, but in the present invention The present invention is not limited thereto, and a fixed cylinder 45 that holds the fixed shaft 16 may be provided, and a gas supply/exhaust port 40 (gas supply/exhaust port 140) may be fixedly provided below the fixed cylinder 45 to be supplied from the periphery of the fixed shaft 16 exhaust. Further, as shown in the figure, a shielding cylinder 46 that does not expand and contract may be used as the partition member. In this case, the lower end of the shielding cylinder 46 may be slidably supported by the lower support plate 41. Reference numeral 46a is an entrance and exit provided in the shielding cylinder 46.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the heating unit 13 is moved, but it may be fixed. In this case, a gap for taking out the molded article from the pair of dies is provided between the heating member. Further, it is sufficient to cover the pair of dies or the heating unit with the outer frame to form a molding chamber (the space of the present invention).

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the non-heating position of the heating unit 13 is set above the upper/lower mold units 11 and 12, but may be set below. In this case, the partition member 14 (the telescopic member 114) may be attached to the heating unit 13. Further, as the heating means, a radiant heat heating means using an infrared ray lamp is used, but instead, an induction heating means using an induction heating coil may be employed.

Moreover, in each of the above embodiments, the lower mold assembly 12 is pressurized to the upper mold assembly 11, but conversely, a configuration in which the upper mold assembly 11 is moved to the lower mold assembly to be pressurized may be used. Further, although an embodiment in which a glass molded article is obtained from a glass material is used, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a molding apparatus and method for obtaining a resin molded article using a resin material may be employed, and the molded article may be other than a lens. Molded product.

10. . . Molding device

11. . . Upper mold assembly

12. . . Lower mold assembly

13. . . Heating component

14. . . Separate part

14a. . . Entrance and exit

14b. . . Tube

15,24. . . Thermal insulation component

16. . . Fixed axis

17,27. . . Molded plate

18. . . Fixed mode

19. . . Upper mold

20. . . Drive mechanism

twenty one. . . Drive shaft

twenty two. . . Load detector

twenty three. . . Moving axis

25. . . Control department

28. . . Dynamic model

29. . . Lower mold

30. . . guide

31. . . Drive department

32. . . Airtight hole

33. . . On board

34. . . Lower plate

35. . . Outer tube

36. . . Infrared light

37. . . Transparent quartz tube

40, 42, 140, 142. . . Gas supply/discharge

41. . . Lower support plate

43. . . Elastic part

44,48. . . Sheet

44a. . . Inner edge

44b. . . Outer edge

45. . . Ribbon

46. . . Shading cylinder

46a, 80a, 114a. . . Entrance and exit

49, 51. . . Gas supply road

50,53. . . Opening

60. . . Supply/exhaust switching mechanism

61. . . Switcher

62. . . Vent

63. . . Exhaust

64. . . Gas supply device

70. . . Robot

71. . . Molding blank

73. . . Molded product

80‧‧‧Outer tube

81‧‧‧ inner tube

83,114‧‧‧Flexible parts

84‧‧‧Frame

85‧‧‧Clock Department

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a lens molding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens molding apparatus in a state in which the heating unit is moved to the heating position in the heating step in the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a partition member in the first embodiment, and is shown in a half.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the mold temperature for each step in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus at the start of the slow cooling step in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in a state in which the heating unit is moved to the non-heating position after the mold is opened in the middle of the slow cooling step in the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in the pressurizing step in the first embodiment.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens molding apparatus in a state in which a mold is opened in the middle of a slow cooling step in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in the molding product taking-out step in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a lens molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a step of supplying a molding material.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in a state in which the heating unit is moved to the heating position in the heating step in the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a telescopic member.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the expansion and contraction member.

Fig. 14 is a graph showing the mold temperature for each step in the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the lens 戍 type device at the start of the slow cooling step in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in a state in which the heating unit is moved to the non-heating position after the mold is closed in the middle of the slow cooling step in the second embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in the pressurizing step in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in a state in which the mold is opened in the middle of the slow cooling step in the second embodiment.

19 is a cross-sectional view showing the lens molding apparatus in the molding product taking-out step in the second embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing an expansion/contraction member of another example produced by a structure of two members, the upper side showing an extended state and the lower side showing a contracted state.

Fig. 21 is a graph showing the mold temperature for each step.

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the opening of the supply/exhaust switching hand mechanism and a lens 戌 type device using another example of the shielding cylinder that does not expand and contract.

Fig. 23 is a graph showing the mold temperature for each step in the conventional lens molding apparatus described in the prior art.

10. . . Molding device

11. . . Upper mold assembly

12. . . Lower mold assembly

13. . . Heating component

14. . . Separate part

14a. . . Entrance and exit

14b. . . Tube

15,24. . . Thermal insulation component

16. . . Fixed axis

17,27. . . Molded plate

18. . . Fixed mode

19. . . Upper mold

20. . . Drive mechanism

twenty one. . . Drive shaft

twenty two. . . Load detector

twenty three. . . Moving axis

25. . . Control department

28. . . Dynamic model

29. . . Lower mold

30. . . guide

31. . . Drive department

33. . . On board

34. . . Lower plate

35. . . Outer tube

36. . . Infrared light

37. . . Transparent quartz tube

40,42. . . Gas supply/discharge

41. . . Lower support plate

48. . . Sheet

60. . . Supply/exhaust switching mechanism

61. . . Switcher

62. . . Vent

63. . . Exhaust

64. . . Gas supply device

70. . . Robot

71. . . Molding blank

Claims (31)

A molding apparatus comprising: a partitioning member, at least when the molding blank is supplied to a molding blank between a pair of dies, and when a molded article formed by pressurization of the pair of dies is taken out, the separation includes the pair The mold and the space around it are formed with an inlet and outlet for taking out the molded article at the time of the separation, and a gas supply mechanism that supplies the inert gas to the space partitioned by the partition member. The molding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a heating unit disposed at a heating position surrounding the pair of molds; and a support mechanism moving between the heating position and the non-heating position retracted therefrom The heating unit is supported freely; the partition member moves to a shielding position for shielding the space in conjunction with the movement of the heating unit to the non-heating position. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pressurizing mechanism that moves one of the pair of dies toward the other to pressurize the forming blank between the pair of dies; The support mechanism moves the heating unit in parallel with a pressing direction of the pressurizing mechanism. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the partition member is attached to the heating unit. The molding apparatus according to Item 2 or 3, wherein the partition member has a tubular portion, and one of the openings at both ends of the tubular portion An edge of the opening of the square is mounted on the heating assembly, and the partitioning member moves between a shielding position and a retracted position, wherein the shielding position is associated with the movement of the heating assembly to the non-heating position to shield the space by the tubular portion The position of the retracted position is a position that is retracted from the lower portion of the space in conjunction with the movement of the heating unit to the heating position, and an entrance for extracting the molded article is formed on a circumferential surface of the tubular portion. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply means supplies an inert gas at least when the supply of the molding material or the removal of the molded product is performed so that the pressure in the space is higher than the atmosphere. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gas supply path for supplying an inert gas during slow cooling is included in the pair of molds. The molding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the gas supply mechanism is provided with a plurality of openings for supplying an inert gas exposed to the space. The molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the gas supply mechanism constitutes a supply/exhaust switching mechanism that passes through the opening when the supply of the molding material and the removal of the molded product are performed. The inert gas is supplied into the space, and the inert gas is discharged from the space through the opening at the time of slow cooling. A molding method comprising: a step of placing a molding blank between a pair of dies; a step of heating the pair of dies and a molding blank by a heating assembly disposed at a heating position around a periphery of the pair of dies; heating a molding step of pressing the one mold to the other mold by a pressurizing mechanism to mold the molding material, and a step of gradually cooling the pair of molds and the molded article after molding; the molding method further includes After the molding step, the heating unit is retracted from the heating position, the partition member shields the periphery of the pair of molds, and the molded article removal step of the molded article is taken out from the pair of molds. The molding method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of: in the slow cooling step, shielding the space around the pair of molds by the heating unit, and the gas supply mechanism is inerted through the interior of the pair of molds At the same time as the gas, the supply/exhaust switching mechanism discharges the space through the opening provided in the space, and the heating unit retreats from the heating position during the molding removal step. The switching mechanism supplies the inert gas to the space in which the pair of molds are shielded by the partition member, and the step of taking out the molded article through the inlet and outlet of the partition member. A molding apparatus for placing a molding blank between a pair of dies, and heating the pair of dies and molding blanks by a heating unit disposed at a heating position around the pair of dies, and then pressing one of the dies toward the other side by a pressurizing mechanism The mold is molded to mold the molded product, and after the molding, the pair of molds and the molded article are gradually cooled, and the molded article is taken out from the pair of molds, and includes: a support mechanism at the heating position and the pressurizing mechanism The non-heating position in which the pressing direction is retracted in parallel is freely supported between the non-heating positions a heating unit; between the extended state in which the space between the pair of dies and the periphery thereof is shielded when the heating unit is located at the non-heating position, and the contracted state retracted from the space when the heating unit is located at the heating position Displacement in association with movement of the heating unit, and an inlet and outlet for taking out the molded article when the extended state is obtained; and a gas supply mechanism that is disposed in the space through at least the removal of the molded article The opening supplies an inert gas into the space. The molding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one end of the telescopic member is attached to an end of the heating unit opposite to a direction moving toward the non-heating position, and the other end is attached to the heating unit. A fixed frame that faces the direction in which the heating position moves. The molding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the telescopic member is a serpentine tube. The molding apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the serpentine tube is formed by sleeving an inner edge and an outer edge of a plurality of sheets of heat-resistant sheets formed in a ring shape. The molding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the serpentine tube is joined to the outer edge with a tension state in which the outer edge of each sheet is restricted at a constant interval in the extended state, and The interval between the relaxed state of the relaxed state in the contracted state is the restriction member. The molding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the heating unit comprises: a heating mechanism that heats the pair of molds in the heating position; a molding blank; and a holding member that holds the heating mechanism and shields the space when the heating position is performed. The molding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the heating means has a cylindrical heat permeable inner wall disposed inside the pair of the molds, and a heat permeable inner wall A plurality of infrared lamps that emit heat rays arranged in parallel in the pressurizing direction on the outer side of the inner wall, and the inner wall of the heat permeable permeability constitutes a part of the holding member. The molding apparatus according to any one of claims 12, wherein the gas supply mechanism constitutes a supply/exhaust mechanism for exhausting the space, and the space moves to the heating position through the heating unit during slow cooling. It is covered. The molding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a gas supply path for supplying an inert gas is included in the pair of the molds. A molding method comprising: a step of placing a molding blank between a pair of dies; a step of heating the pair of dies and a molding blank by a heating assembly disposed at a heating position around a periphery of the pair of dies; a step of molding the mold blank by pressing one of the molds toward the other mold; a step of slowly cooling the pair of molds and the molded article after molding; and removing the molded article from the pair of molds after the slow cooling a molding product removing step; the molding method further comprising the step of: between the heating position and the non-heating position retracted from the heating position in parallel with the pressing direction of the pressurizing mechanism during the slow cooling Moving the supported heating unit to the heating position, wherein the heating unit shields a space including the pair of molds and the periphery thereof; and when the molded product is taken out, and the heating unit is retracted to non-heating The positions are connected to each other, and the telescopic member attached to one end of the heating unit is displaced from the contracted state to the extended state, and the space is covered by the telescopic member. The molding method according to claim 21, further comprising: at the time of the slow cooling, the gas supply mechanism supplies the inert gas to the space shielded by the heating unit through the inside of the pair of molds, and supplies/discharges The mechanism vents the space by opening an opening provided in the space; and when the molded article is taken out, the supply/exhaust mechanism supplies an inert gas to the space shielded by the elastic member, and transmits the expansion and contraction The molded article is taken out from the inlet and outlet which are formed when the member is in an extended state. A molding apparatus comprising: a pair of molds; a heating assembly that heats a molding blank placed between the pair of molds; a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the heated molding blank to form a molded product; and the partition member includes the above a pair of molds and a space around the same; a gas supply mechanism that supplies an inert gas into the space through the inside of the pair of molds; and a supply/exhaust switching mechanism that has an opening that is exposed in the space and is switched through the opening The supply of inert gas and the exhaust in the above space. The molding apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the gas supply mechanism is configured to slowly cool the pair of molds and molded articles An inert gas is supplied into the space, and the supply/exhaust switching mechanism performs the exhaust in the space through the opening during the slow cooling, and passes through the opening to the space at least when the molded product is taken out from the pair of molds. An inert gas is supplied internally. The molding apparatus according to claim 23 or claim 24, further comprising a control unit that individually controls the operation of the gas supply mechanism and the operation of the supply/exhaust switching mechanism. The molding apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a flow path of the inert gas supplied to the opening of the inert gas by the supply/exhaust switching mechanism can be made to be larger than the inside of the pair of molds A flow path of the inert gas that communicates with the gas supply mechanism that supplies the inert gas in the space flows a larger amount of the inert gas. The molding apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: a support mechanism that is retracted at a heating position around the pair of the molds and a non-heating position that is retracted in parallel with the pressing direction of the pressing mechanism The heating assembly is movably supported between the holding member, the holding member holds a heating mechanism constituting a part of the heating assembly and shields the space in the heating position, and the partition member is coupled to the heating assembly toward the non-heating position. Cover the above space. The molding apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the heating means has a cylindrical heat permeable inner wall disposed inside the pair of the molds, and a heat permeable inner wall The outer side of the inner wall and the number of heat generating lines arranged side by side in the above-mentioned pressing direction Each of the infrared lamps and the heat permeable inner wall constitutes a part of the holding member. The molding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the holding member is formed of a cylindrical shape having an upper plate, a lower plate, and an outer tube, and a part of the opening is provided in an upper plate of the holding member. The inert gas supplied into the space is supplied along the heat permeable inner wall. A molding method comprising: a heating step of heating a molding blank placed between a pair of dies by a heating assembly; and a pressurizing step of pressurizing the heated molding blank by a pressing mechanism to form a molded product; Cooling the pair of molds and molded articles; and molding the product removing step, and taking out the molded article from the pair of molds; the molding method further comprising the step of: in the slow cooling step, separating the pair of molds from the heating assembly a step of exhausting the space by the supply/exhaust switching mechanism through the opening in the space while the inert gas is supplied from the gas supply means in the space around the space, and in the step of removing the molded article The partition member partitions the space between the pair of dies and the periphery thereof, and the supply/exhaust switching mechanism supplies a step of supplying an inert gas into the space through the opening in a space partitioned by the partition member. A molding method for continuously molding a molded article by repeating a loop including the following steps, that is, a step of placing a molded blank between a pair of dies; and a heating step comprising arranging the pair of dies and the mask thereof a heating unit at a heating position of the surrounding space heats the pair of dies And a molding step; the pressing step of pressurizing the one mold to the other mold to form the molding material; and the slow cooling step to slowly cool the pair of molds and molded articles after molding; and the molded article a step of taking out the molded article from the pair of dies after slow cooling; the molding method further comprising the step of: transmitting the space covered by the heating unit to the space covered by the heating unit at the beginning of the slow cooling step a step of supplying an inert gas to the inside of the pair of molds, and performing a process of exhausting the space through an opening that is exposed in the space by the supply/exhaust switching mechanism; and, in the step of removing the molded product, the heating unit is removed from the heating element The heating position is moved to a non-heating position that is retracted in parallel with the pressing direction of the pressurizing mechanism, and the partition member is displaced into a shielding state in association with the movement, and the space is blocked by the partition member, and the supply/discharge is performed. The gas switching mechanism switches the piping for exhaust gas connected to the opening to a supply pipe to the above While supplying an inert gas between the interior space is maintained oxygen-free state, it is disposed through the partition member doorway step extraction of the molded article.