| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical element molding apparatus which can improve the molding accuracy of an optical element by equalizing the temperature distribution of the surface of a press molding stage. <P>SOLUTION: The molding apparatus sequentially conveys a set of molds in which an optical element material is placed between an upper mold and a lower mold to process stages of heating, press molding, and cooling to mold an optical element. The temperature near the center of the surface SF of a lower plate 2 in the press molding stage is detected by a thermocouple 16. Cartridge heaters 2a, 2a are embedded in both sides of the thermocouple, and in the outside of which cartridge heaters 2b, 2b are embedded with predetermined spacing in the peripheral part of a mold-contacting range. The power output of the cartridge heaters embedded in this peripheral part is set at a higher value than that of the inner cartridge heaters. In the temperature distribution curve B of the plate surface, the temperature distribution is equalized because there is no temperature decrease in the peripheral part like a conventional temperature distribution curve A, thereby allowing an optical element with high degree of accuracy to be molded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT</p> |
