An electroforming device for improving thickness uniformity of micro-injection molds

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of electroforming devices and discloses an electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold. The invention comprises an electroforming tank with a cathode column and an anode column, wherein a hanger is suspended on the cathode column, wherein the hanger comprises an upper hook, a telescopic rod and a lower hook fixed in sequence, wherein the fixed end of the telescopic rod is provided with an external connection hole, the telescopic end of the telescopic rod is provided with a hollow hole with an internal pressure relief valve, the lower hook is provided with a side hole, and the lower hook is provided with a vibration mechanism; the vibration mechanism comprises a cylinder, a piston rod and a hanger, wherein the cylinder is fixed to the inner bottom wall of the lower hook, the piston rod is slidably arranged in the cylinder and provided with a connecting hole, the connecting hole is provided with a control mechanism, and the hanger is fixed on the piston rod and provided with an inner cavity and an air outlet with an external pressure relief valve; the invention can, on the one hand, remove bubbles, and on the other hand, make the core mold more evenly contacted with the electroforming solution, so that the thickness of the formed micro-injection mold is more even.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of electroforming devices, and in particular relates to an electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of a micro injection mold. Background Art

[0002] In the process of making micro-injection molds, some are made through electroforming devices, which require hanging or fixing the pre-made core mold on a hanger, and then hanging the hanger on the cathode copper column on the device. However, the above process has the following problems: when the core mold enters the electroforming solution in the electroforming device, due to the gaps at the corners of the core mold, the outer wall of the core mold cannot be fully contacted with the electroforming solution, resulting in excessive bubbles, which makes the thickness distribution of the completed micro-injection mold uneven, resulting in surface defects, thereby reducing production quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above situation, in order to overcome the defects of the prior art, the present invention provides an electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of micro-injection molds, which effectively solves the problem of excessive bubbles appearing during the electroforming process, thereby causing defects on the surface of the completed micro-injection mold.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold, comprising an electroforming tank having a cathode column and an anode column, a hanger being hung on the cathode column, the hanger comprising an upper hook, a telescopic rod and a lower hook fixed in sequence, the fixed end of the telescopic rod being provided with an external connection hole, the telescopic end of the telescopic rod being provided with a hollow hole having an internal pressure relief valve, the lower hook being provided with a side hole, and the lower hook being provided with a vibration mechanism; the vibration mechanism comprising a cylinder, a piston rod and a hanger, the cylinder being fixed to the inner bottom wall of the lower hook, the piston rod being slidably arranged in the cylinder and provided with a connecting hole therein, the connecting hole being provided with a control mechanism, the hanger being fixed on the piston rod and provided with an inner cavity and an air outlet hole having an external pressure relief valve therein, the external connection hole being connected to the air outlet hole through the telescopic rod, the hollow hole, the side hole, the cylinder, the connecting hole and the inner cavity in sequence.

[0005] Preferably, the control mechanism includes a control column, an upper magnetic block and a lower magnetic block. The control column is slidably arranged in the connecting hole and is provided with a vertical hole therein. The upper magnetic block and the lower magnetic block are both fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder. The upper magnetic block and the control column magnetically repel each other, and the lower magnetic block and the control column magnetically attract each other.

[0006] Preferably, the telescopic rod includes a hollow tube and an inner rod body, the hollow tube is fixed on the upper hook, the external hole is provided on the hollow tube, the inner rod body is slidably provided in the hollow tube and fixed to the lower hook, and the hollow hole is provided on the inner rod body.

[0007] Preferably, an electromagnet is fixed in the hollow cylinder, and the electromagnet is magnetically attracted to the inner rod.

[0008] Preferably, a telescopic spring is wrapped around the inner rod body, and the telescopic spring is located in the hollow cylinder.

[0009] Preferably, the height dimensions of both sides of the suspension bracket are larger than its middle dimension, an upper elastic pad with a conductive layer on its surface is fixed above the inner cavity, and the air outlet is provided on the upper elastic pad.

[0010] Preferably, an upper through hole and an arc-shaped cavity are provided in the upper hook, the arc-shaped cavity is connected with the hollow cylinder in the telescopic rod through the upper through hole, and a lower elastic pad with a conductive layer on the surface is fixed below the arc-shaped cavity.

[0011] Preferably, there are multiple cathode columns, and multiple cathode seats are symmetrically fixed at both ends of the electroforming tank. The corresponding cathode columns are fixed between the corresponding two cathode seats. The anode column includes a terminal seat, a frame and an anode plate. The anode plate and the terminal seat are both fixed on the frame, and the frame is fixed in the electroforming tank.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. During operation, the core mold is automatically placed into the electroforming solution through the cooperation of the telescopic rod, sling, etc., thereby improving the safety of use, and making the core mold vibrate up and down slightly inside the electroforming solution. On the one hand, it can reduce the bubbles that may exist on the surface of the core mold, and on the other hand, it can make the contact between the core mold and the electroforming solution more uniform, so that the thickness of the formed micro injection mold is more uniform.

[0014] 2. During operation, the coordination of the arc cavity, inner cavity, lower elastic pad and upper elastic pad can improve the conductive area of ​​the suspension without the need to improve the conductive performance between the two in other ways. On the other hand, it can also improve the stability of the suspension after installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are used to provide further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used to explain the present invention together with the embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention.

[0016] In the attached figure:

[0017] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of a micro injection mold according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cathode column and anode column structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the spreader of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4It is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of the spreader of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 A in the middle is an enlarged structural diagram;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the lower hook structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the cylinder installation structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 The enlarged structural diagram at B in the middle;

[0025] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point C in the middle.

[0026] In the figure: 1. electroforming tank; 2. cathode column; 3. anode column; 4. upper hook; 5. lower hook; 6. external hole; 7. hollow hole; 8. internal pressure relief valve; 9. side hole; 10. cylinder; 11. piston rod; 12. suspension bracket; 13. telescopic rod; 14. connecting hole; 15. inner cavity; 16. air outlet; 17. external pressure relief valve; 18. control column; 19. upper magnetic block; 20. lower magnetic block; 21. vertical hole; 22. hollow cylinder; 23. inner rod; 24. electromagnet; 25. telescopic spring; 26. upper elastic pad; 27. upper through hole; 28. arc cavity; 29. ​​lower elastic pad; 30. cathode seat; 31. terminal seat; 32. frame; 33. anode plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments; based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] In the process of making micro-injection molds, some are made through electroforming devices, which require hanging or fixing the pre-made core mold on a hanger, and then hanging the hanger on the cathode copper column on the device. However, the above process has the following problems: when the core mold enters the electroforming solution in the electroforming device, due to the gaps at the corners of the core mold, the outer wall of the core mold cannot be fully contacted with the electroforming solution, resulting in excessive bubbles, which makes the thickness distribution of the completed micro-injection mold uneven, resulting in surface defects, thereby reducing production quality.

[0029] Depend on Figures 1-9 The present invention relates to an electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold, comprising an electroforming tank 1 having a cathode column 2 and an anode column 3, wherein a plurality of cathode columns 2 are provided, and a plurality of cathode seats 30 are symmetrically fixed at both ends of the electroforming tank 1, wherein corresponding cathode columns 2 are fixed between corresponding two cathode seats 30, and the anode column 3 comprises a terminal seat 31, a frame 32 and an anode plate 33, wherein the anode plate 33 and the terminal seat 31 are both fixed on the frame 32, and the frame 32 is fixed in the electroforming tank 1. A hanger is suspended on the cathode column 2, and the hanger comprises an upper hook 4, a telescopic rod 13 and a lower hook 5 fixed in sequence, wherein the fixed end of the telescopic rod 13 is provided with an external connection hole 6, the telescopic end of the telescopic rod 13 is provided with a hollow hole 7 with an internal pressure relief valve 8, the lower hook 5 is provided with a side hole 9, and the lower hook 5 is provided with a vibration mechanism.

[0030] The design is such that when in use, the core mold is hung on the lower hook 5 on the sling, and then the upper hook 4 on the sling is hung on the cathode column 2, thereby realizing the suspended installation of the core mold; then the cathode column 2 and the anode column 3 are connected to the two ends of the power supply for power supply, and the interior of the electroforming tank 1 is filled with an electroforming solution. The electroforming solution is a solution containing anode metal ions. Under the action of the power supply, the metal ions in the electroforming solution are reduced to metal on the cathode conductive original mold, that is, the core mold, and deposited on the surface of the conductive original mold. At the same time, the anode metal continuously turns into ions and dissolves into the electroforming solution for replenishment, so that the concentration of metal ions in the electroforming solution remains unchanged. When the electroforming layer on the cathode conductive original mold gradually increases and reaches the required thickness, electroforming is stopped, and the electroformed part is separated from the original mold to obtain an electroformed part with the opposite surface to the original mold.

[0031] Taking into account that the hanger is generally hung on the cathode column 2 manually, the core mold on the hanger will enter the interior of the electroforming solution. If the operation is improper, the electroforming solution will splash and there will be a safety hazard. In order to reduce the bubbles on the surface of the core mold as much as possible, the vibration mechanism includes a cylinder 10, a piston rod 11 and a hanger 12. The cylinder 10 is fixed to the inner bottom wall of the lower hook 5, the piston rod 11 is slidably arranged in the cylinder 10 and is provided with a connecting hole 14, and a control mechanism is provided in the connecting hole 14. The hanger 12 is fixed on the piston rod 11 and is provided with an inner cavity 15 and an air outlet 16 with an external pressure relief valve 17. The external hole 6 is connected to the air outlet 16 through the telescopic rod 13, the hollow hole 7, the side hole 9, the cylinder 10, the connecting hole 14, the inner cavity 15 in sequence.

[0032] With this design, when in use, the core mold is hung on the lower hook 5, and then hung on the cathode column 2 through the upper hook 4. At this time, the core mold does not enter the interior of the electroforming solution, thereby reducing the potential safety hazards of the core mold in contact with the electroforming solution. Then, air is transported to the external hole 6 through the external pump body. Under the action of air pressure, the telescopic rod 13 is extended, and its telescopic end drives the core mold on the lower hook 5 into the interior of the electroforming solution to facilitate subsequent electroforming operations.

[0033] At the same time, when the air pressure in the telescopic rod 13 exceeds the rated value of the internal pressure relief valve 8, the air enters the interior of the cylinder 10 through the telescopic rod 13, the hollow hole 7, and the side hole 9 in sequence. In conjunction with the setting of the control mechanism, the piston rod 11 can drive the suspension frame 12 to continuously reciprocate in the vertical direction, so that the core mold suspended on the suspension frame 12 continuously shakes up and down, and the bubbles on the surface of the core mold are separated by shaking, thereby improving the subsequent electroforming quality.

[0034] Specifically, the control mechanism includes a control column 18, an upper magnetic block 19 and a lower magnetic block 20. The control column 18 is slidably arranged in the connecting hole 14 and is provided with a vertical hole 21 therein. The upper magnetic block 19 and the lower magnetic block 20 are both fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder 10. The upper magnetic block 19 and the control column 18 magnetically repel each other, and the lower magnetic block 20 and the control column 18 magnetically attract each other.

[0035] With such a design, when in use, when air enters the cylinder 10 through the side hole 9, in the initial state, under the magnetic attraction of the lower magnetic block 20, the control column 18 blocks the connecting hole 14. As the rest increases, the piston rod 11 is displaced upward to the highest point in the cylinder 10, and then under the magnetic repulsion of the upper magnetic block 19, the vertical hole 21 on the control column 18 is aligned with the connecting hole 14 and then connected. At this time, the air in the cylinder 10 can enter the connecting hole 14 through the vertical hole 21, and then be discharged through the inner cavity 15 and the air outlet 16; at the same time, under the action of the self-gravity of the piston rod 11 and the suspension bracket 12, the piston rod 11 is displaced downward in the cylinder 10, and the action is cyclical, so that the core mold suspended on the suspension bracket 12 is constantly shaking up and down to reduce the number of bubbles on its surface.

[0036] Specifically, the telescopic rod 13 includes a hollow tube 22 and an inner rod body 23. The hollow tube 22 is fixed on the upper hook 4. The external hole 6 is provided on the hollow tube 22. The inner rod body 23 is slidably provided in the hollow tube 22 and fixed to the lower hook 5. The hollow hole 7 is provided on the inner rod body 23.

[0037] Considering that the electroforming solution will be present on the surface of the micro-injection mold attached to the surface of the core mold when it is separated from the liquid surface, it needs to be treated. Therefore, an electromagnet 24 is fixed in the hollow cylinder 22, and the electromagnet 24 is magnetically attracted to the inner rod body 23.

[0038] With this design, the external pump body used is a two-way pump, which can output air and draw in air. When the micro-injection mold formed by electroforming needs to be separated from the electroforming solution, air is first extracted through the external hole 6 by the external pump body. In conjunction with the setting of the internal pressure relief valve 8, the inner rod body 23 in the telescopic rod 13 can move upward in the hollow cylinder 22, and then the electromagnet 24 generates magnetic force, and the inner rod body 23 is magnetically fixed by the magnetic force. At this time, the core mold on the lower hook 5 is separated from the electroforming solution; then the suction mode of the external pump body is changed, and air is input into the external hole 6. In a similar manner to the above, the suspension frame 12 drives the core mold with the micro-injection mold attached thereto to shake up and down, so that the electroforming solution on its surface is separated, avoiding the electroforming solution from splashing after the hanger is taken out.

[0039] Specifically, a telescopic spring 25 is arranged around the inner rod body 23, and the telescopic spring 25 is located in the hollow cylinder 22. Designed like this, it is convenient to use the telescopic spring 25 to keep the telescopic rod 13 in the sling in a retracted state when the sling is not in use.

[0040] Taking into account that whether the core mold is hung on the lower hook 5 or the hanger is hung on the cathode column 2 through the upper hook 4, the effective contact area between the two is limited, which is not conducive to conductivity. Therefore, the height dimensions on both sides of the suspension frame 12 are made larger than its middle dimension, and an upper elastic pad 26 with a conductive layer on the surface is fixed above the inner cavity 15, and the air outlet 16 is provided on the upper elastic pad 26.

[0041] With this design, through the external pressure relief valve 17, when air enters the inner cavity 15, as the pressure continues to increase, the upper elastic pad 26 will be deformed and wrapped around the suspension part of the core mold. At this time, the shape of the upper elastic pad 26 is roughly U-shaped. On the one hand, the conductive layer on the surface of the upper elastic pad 26 can increase the conductive area of ​​the suspension part of the core mold. On the other hand, the upper elastic pad 26 can also elastically clamp the suspension part of the core mold to improve its stability after installation.

[0042] Specifically, an upper through hole 27 and an arc-shaped cavity 28 are provided in the upper hook 4 . The arc-shaped cavity 28 is connected to the hollow cylinder 22 in the telescopic rod 13 through the upper through hole 27 , and a lower elastic pad 29 with a conductive layer on its surface is fixed below the arc-shaped cavity 28 .

[0043] With this design, when in use, when air enters the upper through hole 27 through the interior of the telescopic rod 13 and reaches the arc-shaped cavity 28, the lower elastic pad 29 will expand and deform, fitting more closely to the cathode column 2, thereby increasing the conductive area between the cathode column 2 and the upper hook 4 through the conductive layer on the lower elastic pad 29, and also improving the stability of the sling after suspension.

[0044] It should be noted that the sling is made of conductive materials, such as stainless steel, iron and other conductive metals.

[0045] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0046] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electroforming device for improving the thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold, comprising an electroforming tank (1) having a cathode column (2) and an anode column (3), wherein a hanger is suspended on the cathode column (2), characterized in that: The sling comprises an upper hook (4), a telescopic rod (13) and a lower hook (5) fixed in sequence, the fixed end of the telescopic rod (13) is provided with an external connection hole (6), the telescopic end of the telescopic rod (13) is provided with a hollow hole (7) with an internal pressure relief valve (8), the lower hook (5) is provided with a side hole (9), and the lower hook (5) is provided with a vibration mechanism; the vibration mechanism comprises a cylinder (10), a piston rod (11) and a suspension frame (12), the cylinder (10) is fixed to the inner bottom wall of the lower hook (5), the piston rod (11) and the suspension frame (12), the cylinder (10) is fixed to the inner bottom wall of the lower hook (5), and the piston rod (11) is provided with a vibration mechanism. The rod (11) is slidably arranged in the cylinder (10) and is provided with a communication hole (14) therein, a control mechanism is provided in the communication hole (14), a suspension frame (12) is fixed on the piston rod (11) and is provided with an inner cavity (15) and an air outlet (16) having an external pressure relief valve (17) therein, and the external connection hole (6) is connected to the air outlet (16) in sequence through the telescopic rod (13), the hollow hole (7), the side hole (9), the cylinder (10), the communication hole (14), the inner cavity (15); The control mechanism includes a control column (18), an upper magnetic block (19) and a lower magnetic block (20). The control column (18) is slidably arranged in the connecting hole (14) and is provided with a vertical hole (21). The upper magnetic block (19) and the lower magnetic block (20) are both fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder (10). The upper magnetic block (19) and the control column (18) are magnetically repelled, and the lower magnetic block (20) and the control column (18) are magnetically attracted. The telescopic rod (13) comprises a hollow cylinder (22) and an inner rod body (23), the hollow cylinder (22) is fixed on the upper hook (4), the external connection hole (6) is provided on the hollow cylinder (22), the inner rod body (23) is slidably provided in the hollow cylinder (22) and fixed to the lower hook (5), and the hollow hole (7) is provided on the inner rod body (23).

2. The electroforming device for improving thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electromagnet (24) is fixed in the hollow cylinder (22), and the electromagnet (24) and the inner rod body (23) are magnetically attracted to each other.

3. The electroforming device for improving thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: A telescopic spring (25) surrounds the inner rod body (23), and the telescopic spring (25) is located in the hollow cylinder (22).

4. The electroforming device for improving thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height dimensions of both sides of the suspension frame (12) are greater than the middle dimension thereof. An upper elastic pad (26) having a conductive layer on its surface is fixed above the inner cavity (15), and the air outlet (16) is provided on the upper elastic pad (26).

5. The electroforming device for improving thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold according to claim 4, characterized in that: An upper through hole (27) and an arc-shaped cavity (28) are provided in the upper hook (4); the arc-shaped cavity (28) is communicated with the hollow cylinder (22) in the telescopic rod (13) through the upper through hole (27); and a lower elastic pad (29) having a conductive layer on its surface is fixed below the arc-shaped cavity (28).

6. The electroforming device for improving thickness uniformity of a micro-injection mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cathode columns (2) are provided with a plurality of cathode seats (30) symmetrically fixed at both ends of the electroforming tank (1), and the corresponding cathode columns (2) are fixed between the corresponding two cathode seats (30). The anode column (3) includes a terminal seat (31), a frame (32) and an anode plate (33). The anode plate (33) and the terminal seat (31) are both fixed on the frame (32), and the frame (32) is fixed in the electroforming tank (1).

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