Abstract: Hard to fill large-surface-area parts and/or thinwalled configurations of optical lenses and reflective optical elements are among the difficult-to-mold thermoplastic products which require precision replication of the molding surfaces, in micro detail. We combine multiple opposing gates (to reduce the meltflow pathlength) with non-isothermal steps of firstly, heating these mold surfaces (with circulating heat transfer fluids supplied by a hot side supply system, to a temperature setpoint sufficiently high to retard solidification), then secondly, injecting the melt through these opposing gates, then thirdly, rapidly cooling to solidification (by circulating heat transfer fluids of much lower temperature, supplied from a cold side supply system).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 7, 1999
Date of Patent:
September 18, 2001
Assignee:
Galic Maus Ventures LLP
Inventors:
Steven M. Maus, George J. Galic, John R. Filipe