Forming apparatus and forming method

Abstract

This reduces the optical axis misalignment that can occur during the continuous molding and mass production of optical elements. [Solution] The molding apparatus comprises a first mold, a second mold, and a body mold into which the first mold and the second mold are fitted. The body mold has corners on the fitting surface with the first mold, and the first mold has an inclined surface that contacts the corners. When the first mold is moved in a first direction to form a molded body by sandwiching a molding material between the first mold and the second mold, the first mold moves with the corners and the inclined surface in contact, so that the central axis of the first mold and the central axis of the body mold are aligned, and the contact portion of the corner of the body mold with the first mold, as viewed from the first direction, is provided in a circular or arc shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a molding apparatus and a molding method for molding a molded body by pressing a heat-softened molding material between a pair of molds arranged opposite to each other.

Background Art

[0002] There is a method of molding an optical element such as a lens by heating and softening a molding material such as glass and pressing it with a pair of molds precision-machined into a predetermined shape. At that time, in order to obtain a highly accurate molded body with a small optical axis deviation of the optical element, it is important to suppress the axial deviation between the molding surfaces of the molds. As a means for achieving this, a method of restricting the axial deviation of the mold by a body mold has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). Hereinafter, this conventional molding method will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0003] FIG. 22 shows a cross-sectional view of a mold for molding a glass material by a conventional method disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to FIG. 22, a pair of upper mold 201 and lower mold 202 whose opposing surfaces are the molding surfaces of the optical element, and a cylindrical body mold 203 into which the upper mold and the lower mold are slidably inserted from upper and lower openings, are disclosed. Further, a mold having an annular spacer 204 for adjusting the thickness of the optical element by overlapping with the body mold 203 at the upper end portion of the body mold 203 is disclosed. The upper mold 201 and the lower mold 202 that are slidably fitted into the body mold 203 from both end openings are maintained in a predetermined positional relationship. Therefore, the mold disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a function of accommodating the axial deviation between the upper mold 201 and the lower mold 202 within a predetermined accuracy.

[0004] Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional view of a molding apparatus for molding glass material by a conventional method, as shown in Patent Document 2. According to Figure 23, an upper mold support 212 that holds the upper mold 211 and has a tapered guide surface 212a at its tip, and a slidable lower mold support 214 that holds the lower mold 213 are disclosed. Also disclosed is a body mold 215 that fits onto the outer circumference of the lower mold support 214 and has a tapered guide surface 215a at its tip that fits onto the guide surface 212a of the upper mold support, and a moving means for moving the lower mold support 214 and the body mold 215 together. In a molding apparatus having these configurations, as the lower mold support 214 and the body mold 215 move upward, the guide surface 212a of the upper mold support 212 and the guide surface 215a of the body mold 215 come into contact. Then, by the body mold 215 conforming to the upper mold support 212, the upper mold 211 and the lower mold 213 are maintained in a predetermined positional relationship. Therefore, the molding apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a function to keep the axial misalignment of the upper mold 211 and the lower mold 213 within a predetermined accuracy. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-126758 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 4-55981 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in recent years, there has been a demand for the continuous mass production of optical elements with reduced optical axis misalignment. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the upper mold 201 and lower mold 202 are slidably fitted into the body mold 203, thus preventing optical axis misalignment in the initial stages of molding. However, as the number of molding cycles increases, sliding wear progresses, and the gap between the body mold 203 and the upper mold 201 and lower mold 202 gradually widens, worsening the regulating accuracy and increasing the optical axis misalignment. For example, after 10,000 molding cycles, the gap widens to about 10 μm, resulting in an optical axis misalignment of about 10 μm. In addition, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, the guide surface 212a of the tapered upper mold support 212 is fitted to the guide surface 215a of the body mold 215, thus preventing optical axis misalignment in the initial stages of molding. However, as the number of molding cycles increases, sliding wear progresses, the roundness of the tapered sliding part deteriorates, worsening the regulating accuracy and increasing the optical axis misalignment.

[0007] In consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a molding apparatus and a molding method that reduce the optical axis misalignment that may occur during continuous molding when mass-producing optical elements by continuously molding them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a molding apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is provided. First mold and The second mold, A molding apparatus comprising a body mold into which the first mold and the second mold are fitted, The aforementioned mold body has corners on the mating surface with the first mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface that contacts the corner, When forming a molded body by moving the first mold in a first direction and sandwiching a molding material between the first mold and the second mold, the first mold moves while the corner of the body mold and the inclined surface of the first mold are in contact, thereby aligning the central axis of the first mold with the central axis of the body mold. The contact portion of the corner of the body mold with the first mold, as viewed from the first direction, is provided in a circular or arc shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a molding apparatus and a molding method can be provided that can reduce the optical axis misalignment that may occur during continuous molding when mass-producing optical elements by continuously molding them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first mold in an open state in a molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the body mold and the first mold are in contact along a circle centered on the central axis of the protrusion in the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first mold in a closed state in the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in a state where sliding wear of the corners has progressed after repeated molding cycles and the first mold is open. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1, showing a state in which sliding wear of the corners has progressed due to repeated molding cycles, and the body mold and the first mold are in contact along a circle centered on the central axis of the convex portion. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in a state where sliding wear of the corners has progressed after repeated molding cycles and the first mold is closed. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the shape of the body in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process when press-forming optical elements. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a preferred relationship between the dimensions of the first mold, the body mold, and the first spacer in a molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first mold in an open state in a molding apparatus according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] It is a diagram of the body type according to Embodiment 3, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a perspective view. [Figure 12] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 4, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is open. [Figure 13] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is open. [Figure 14] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is closed. [Figure 15] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a correction method when the sliding wear at the corner progresses and the axial deviation occurs after multiple molding operations. [Figure 16] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is open before the pressing operation, with the sliding wear at the corner progressing after multiple molding operations and the first spacer and the second spacer being swapped from before the correction. [Figure 17] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is closed during the pressing operation, with the sliding wear at the corner progressing after multiple molding operations and the first spacer and the second spacer being swapped from before the correction. [Figure 18] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is open before the pressing operation, with the sliding wear at the corner progressing after multiple molding operations and heated more than before the correction. [Figure 19] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is closed during the pressing operation, with the sliding wear at the corner progressing after multiple molding operations and heated more than before the correction. [Figure 20] In the molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, it is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state where the first mold is open before the pressing operation, with the sliding wear at the corner progressing after multiple molding operations, the second spacer being swapped from before the correction, and the pressing load being increased in pressure. [Figure 21]This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first die is closed after performing a press operation in a molding apparatus according to Embodiment 5, where sliding wear of the corners has progressed due to repeated molding cycles, and the press load has been increased after replacing the second spacer from before the correction. [Figure 22] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional molding apparatus. [Figure 23] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional molding apparatus. [Figure 24] An example of how an optical component obtained by a molding apparatus can be used is shown, where (a) is a perspective view of an information terminal equipped with an optical device, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical device equipped with a molded body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention, such as a molding apparatus, molding method, etc., will be described. Note that the embodiments and examples shown below are illustrative, and for example, those skilled in the art may modify the detailed configuration as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0012] In the drawings referenced in the following descriptions of embodiments and examples, elements indicated by the same reference numeral have the same function unless otherwise specified. In cases where multiple identical elements are shown in a drawing, the notation and description may be omitted. Furthermore, for the sake of illustration and explanation, drawings may be schematic; therefore, the shape, size, and arrangement of elements shown in the drawings may not strictly correspond to those of actual objects.

[0013] In the following explanation, for example, when referred to as the "X-plus direction," it refers to the same direction as the X-axis arrow in the illustrated coordinate system, and when referred to as the "X-minus direction," it refers to the direction 180 degrees opposite to the direction indicated by the X-axis arrow in the illustrated coordinate system. Furthermore, when simply referred to as the "X direction," it refers to the direction parallel to the X-axis, regardless of whether it is the same as or different from the direction indicated by the X-axis arrow in the illustration. The same applies to directions other than X. In addition, the directions described for the illustrated configuration are illustrative examples, and for example, a configuration arranged in the X-plus direction may be arranged in the X-minus direction, or in a direction different from the X direction. Also, the Z direction is often set to coincide with the vertical direction, but it does not have to coincide.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] Embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 100 according to this embodiment has opened the first mold 10 before performing a press operation. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 100 has contacted the body mold 1 and the first mold 10 along a circle centered on the central axis of the protrusion 1a during a press operation. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 100 has closed the first mold 10 during a press operation. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 100 has undergone repeated molding and sliding wear of the protrusion 1a has progressed, and the first mold 10 has opened before performing a press operation. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 100 has undergone repeated molding and sliding wear of the protrusion 1a has progressed, and the body mold 1 and the first mold 10 have contacted along a circle centered on the central axis of the protrusion 1a during a press operation. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 100 has undergone repeated molding cycles, resulting in increased sliding wear of the protrusion 1a, and with the first mold 10 closed during the pressing operation.

[0015] The molding apparatus 100 according to this embodiment comprises a mold body 1, a first mold 10, a second mold 20, a first spacer 40, a first mold holding member 50, a second mold holding member 60, and a drive source 70. The mold body 1 has a substantially cylindrical or frame shape and is capable of housing at least a portion of the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 inside. In this embodiment, the second mold 20 is housed and held in the internal space of the mold body 1.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first mold 10 has a molding surface 10a, a first axis adjustment portion 10d, a cylindrical portion 10b, and a flange portion 10c that is further widened in outer diameter from the cylindrical portion 10b, arranged from the lower end in the Z-minus direction. The molding surface 10a is provided with an upper mold for actually press-forming the molding material 31. The first axis adjustment portion 10d is formed as an inclined surface where the distance from the central axis AX1 increases as it moves away from the molding surface 10a. The second mold 20 has a molding surface 20a, a cylindrical portion 20b, and a flange portion 20c that is further widened in outer diameter from the cylindrical portion 20b, arranged from the upper end in the Z-plus direction. The molding surface 20a is provided with a lower mold for actually press-forming the molding material 31.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first mold 10 is held at its upper end in the Z-positive direction by a first mold holding member 50 and is connected to a drive source via the first mold holding member 50, making it movable in the Z direction. The second mold holding member 60 holds the second mold 20 and is connected to the body mold 1 so that the second mold 20 is held in a predetermined position inside the body mold 1. During molding, the first mold 10 and the first mold holding member 50 are moved in the Z-negative direction by the drive source 70 and fitted into the inner space of the body mold 1, pressing the molding material 31 placed between the molding surface 10a and the molding surface 20a with a predetermined pressure. As will be described later, the first mold 10, the second mold 20 and the body mold 1 that holds it are movable relative to each other in the XY plane so that their respective central axes can be automatically adjusted.

[0018] The first mold holding member 50 and the second mold holding member 60 are provided with heaters 51 and 61, respectively, to bring the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 to a temperature suitable for press molding, or to keep the molding material 31 in a softened state suitable for press molding. Each heater is controlled to bring the molds to a predetermined temperature based on the detection results of temperature sensors (not shown) installed in the first mold 10 and the second mold 20.

[0019] Furthermore, in order to cool these molds to a temperature at which the mold can be opened after pressing the molding material 31 and the molded body 30 (see Figure 3) can be removed, cooling means (not shown) are provided on the outer circumference of the body mold 1. For example, a gas introduction pipe for blowing N2 gas is installed, and cooling can be performed by controlling the flow rate of N2 gas.

[0020] The body mold 1 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 1a and a cylindrical hole 1b. More specifically, as shown in Figure 7, a schematic perspective view of the body mold 1, in this embodiment the body mold 1 has a cylindrical shape, and the hole 1b corresponds to the inner space of the cylindrical shape. The cylindrical protrusion 1a is formed in such a manner that it protrudes into the inner space by further reducing the diameter of the hole 1b. The protrusion 1a is formed along the central axis AX2, which is coaxial with the hole 1b, and is provided at positions away from the upper and lower ends of the hole 1b in the direction of the central axis AX2 of the hole 1b.

[0021] The cylindrical portion 20b of the second mold 20 is fitted into the protrusion 1a from the negative direction side, and the flange portion 20c of the second mold 20 is held in the space formed by the hole 1b and the second mold holding member 60. In other words, the second mold 20 is fixed in the XY direction and its movement in the Z direction is restricted by the body mold 1 and the second mold holding member 60. The central axis of the second mold 20 is configured to be substantially coaxial with the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1. Note that "substantially coaxial" means that they are coaxial excluding errors that inevitably occur during manufacturing and assembly.

[0022] The first spacer 40 has a substantially annular shape corresponding to the shape of the cylindrical end of the body mold 1, and is placed on a receiving portion 1c provided at the upper end of the body mold 1 in the Z-plus direction. The receiving portion 1c has a flat portion and a portion that protrudes in the Z-plus direction, and the range of movement of the first spacer 40 in the XY plane is limited by the protruding portion of the receiving portion 1c. Therefore, the first spacer 40 will not detach from the body mold 1 and fall off.

[0023] As described above, the first mold 10 is connected to the first mold holding member 50 and the drive source 70. The first mold 10 can be moved in the Z direction along the central axis AX1 by the drive source 70 from the mold open position shown in Figure 1 to the mold clamping position shown in Figure 3. Here, the mold open position is the position of the first mold 10 where the flange portion 10c is separated from the first spacer 40, and the mold clamping position is the position of the first mold 10 where the flange portion 10c contacts the abutment surface 40a and elastically deforms the first spacer 40. The Z direction in which the first mold 10 moves when performing mold open and mold clamping can also be called the first direction.

[0024] Here, in order to prevent misalignment of the optical axis of the molded body 30, it is desirable that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 be positioned coaxially with the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 when press forming is performed. However, in reality, the first mold 10 is connected to a drive source 70 that generates a large press pressure and reciprocates in the Z direction, so even if it is initially set to be coaxial, misalignment of the axis will occur as the molding apparatus 100 repeats the molding operation. Reflecting this reality, Figure 1 shows a state in which the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 is misaligned with the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1. Note that although the figure shows the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 being misaligned in the X-minus direction relative to the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1, this is just one example, and states in which the central axis AX1 is misaligned in the X-plus direction or the Y direction relative to the central axis AX2 can also occur.

[0025] Here, the shape and positional relationship between the body mold 1 and the first mold 10 in this embodiment will be described. As described above, the body mold 1 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 1a having a constant inner diameter, and a circularly continuous corner 1e is formed at the upper end of the protrusion 1a in the Z-positive direction, which is formed by the cylindrical inner circumferential surface extending in the direction of the central axis AX2 and the plane that terminates it. In the Z-negative direction of the first mold 10, the portion facing the corner 1e of the protrusion 1a is provided with a first axis adjustment portion 10d that is inclined toward the central axis AX1 as it moves toward the Z-negative direction (closer to the molding surface 10a). The center of the first axis adjustment portion 10d is substantially located on the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10. Hereinafter, "substantially" means that it is located on the central axis, excluding errors that inevitably occur in manufacturing and assembly. The shape of the first axis adjustment section 10d is preferably symmetrical with respect to the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10, and in this embodiment, an inverted frustoconical shape is adopted, which is composed of a tapered surface inclined with respect to the central axis AX1.

[0026] In the molding apparatus according to this embodiment, which has the configuration described above, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction from the mold-open state shown in Figure 1 to the mold-clamping state shown in Figure 3. In this case, first, the tapered surface of the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner 1e of the body mold 1. As the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction, the contact between the first axis adjustment part 10d and the corner 1e generates stress in the X-plus direction in the first mold 10 and stress in the X-minus direction in the body mold 1. As a result, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex part 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together. At the moment the first axis adjustment part 10d and the convex part 1a first come into contact, it is a single-point contact, but in the state shown in Figure 2, the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 are in contact as a surface with a minute width formed along a circle parallel to the XY plane.

[0027] From this state, if the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction, the first mold 10 will elastically deform its corner portion 1e, and the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 will come into contact with the abutment surface 40a of the first spacer 40, causing elastic deformation, and reaching the mold clamping state shown in Figure 3. Therefore, when the pressing of the molded material 31 is completed, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10, the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1, and the central axis of the second mold 20 will be substantially coaxial.

[0028] Next, we will describe the case where press forming is performed in the open state shown in Figure 4, and sliding wear of the corner 1e progresses due to repeated forming cycles, forming a sliding wear portion 1d on a part of the corner 1e. When the first die 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction from the open state shown in Figure 4 to the closed state shown in Figure 6, the first axis adjustment portion 10d and the corner 1e including the sliding wear portion 1d first come into contact, as shown in Figure 5. When the first die 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction from this state, the corner 1e undergoes elastic deformation, but the contact area of ​​the corner 1e facing the sliding wear portion 1d in the XY plane becomes smaller. As a result, the stress increases, the amount of elastic deformation of the corner 1e increases, and the shape of the corner 1e after elastic deformation becomes close to the shape of the sliding wear portion 1d. Therefore, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together, suppressing axial misalignment and leading to the mold clamping state shown in Figure 6. For this reason, compared to the conventional methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, axial misalignment can be significantly reduced even when continuous molding is performed for mass production.

[0029] According to this embodiment, when the first mold 10 is moved in the first (Z-minus) direction to approach the second mold 20 held in the body mold 1, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves in a direction intersecting the first direction, and moves in a direction in which the central axis of the first mold 10 and the central axis of the body mold 1 move closer together. For example, sliding wear occurs on a part of the body mold 1 during continuous molding. In such a case, for example, if the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction due to displacement in the direction of wear, a displacement occurs from the initial state of the central axis AX1 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 relative to the central axis AX2. According to this embodiment, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the corner portion 1e that occurs with a pressing force smaller than the pressing force during press molding, the positions of the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 are automatically adjusted in the mold clamping state so that the central axes AX1 and AX2 move closer together. Therefore, even during continuous molding, the molding material 31 can be pressed while the axial misalignment between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 is suppressed, and after cooling, the mold can be opened and the molded body 30 can be removed. Therefore, even if sliding wear occurs in the body mold 1, for example, it becomes possible to continuously mass-produce press-formed products with extremely small optical axis misalignment.

[0030] [Example 1] Next, a specific embodiment of Embodiment 1 will be described below as Example 1. In Example 1, an optical element is manufactured as a molded body by press-molding optical glass as a molding material using a molding apparatus described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. The press-molding process is carried out in an N2 gas atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the mold and apparatus. The method for molding an optical element using the molding apparatus described above will be described below with reference to Figure 8.

[0031] First, as shown in Figure 1, the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 is set to be separated from the first spacer 40. In this state, the molding process is started, and in step S801, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, and the first spacer 40 are heated to a predetermined temperature using heaters 51 and 61 by a control unit (not shown) in the molding apparatus.

[0032] Next, in step S802, the optical glass material is precisely positioned on the center of the molding surface 20a of the second mold using a hand (not shown). Subsequently, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, and the first spacer 40 are heated to the press temperature by heaters 51 and 61, and these components are maintained at that temperature.

[0033] After heating, in step S803, the drive source 70 moves the first mold 10 and the first mold holding member 50 in the Z-minus direction. As the movement continues, the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner 1e of the body mold 1. If the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction from this state, the corner 1e begins to elastically deform, as shown in step S804. Almost simultaneously, stress is generated in the first mold 10 in the X-plus direction and in the body mold 1 in the X-minus direction. Due to this stress, as shown in step S805, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex part 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together, and automatic position adjustment is performed.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 move respectively until the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1 substantially coincide. At this time, the first mold 10 and the corner 1e come into contact with each other as a minutely wide annular surface formed along a circle centered on the central axis of the protrusion 1a. Thereafter, as the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the corner 1e undergoes further elastic deformation.

[0035] As the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction, the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the abutment surface 40a of the first spacer 40, and as shown in step S806, the first spacer 40 elastically deforms in response to the press load, reaching the mold clamping state shown in Figure 3. As the press load is applied while moving the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction, the molded material 31 is sandwiched between the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20, and pressing is performed, transferring the shape of the optical element to the molded material 31.

[0036] Once the molding material 31 has been pressed to a predetermined thickness and the press molding process is complete, the press pressure is maintained or switched to a lower pressure, and the process moves to the cooling stage. In step S807, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, and the first spacer 40 are cooled by N2 gas supplied through an N2 introduction pipe (not shown), as described above. The flow rate of the N2 gas is controlled by passing it through a mass flow controller or the like, so that cooling is performed at an appropriate rate.

[0037] Here, while the mold is being opened and the molded body 30 is being cooled to a temperature at which it can be removed, the press pressure is maintained or switched to high pressure to prevent the optical element, which is the molded body, from shrinking and peeling off from the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20. Then, when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature below the glass transition point, the pressure applied to the first mold 10 is released by the drive source 70, and further cooling is performed as needed. When the molded body 30 reaches a predetermined temperature at which it can be removed, in step S808, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-plus direction by the drive source 70 to open the mold. Then, the molded body 30 is removed from the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 by a hand (not shown), and the molding is completed.

[0038] By repeating the above series of operations, optical elements, which are molded products with high shape accuracy, are mass-produced. For example, a double aspherical concave meniscus lens is formed using a glass material with a transition point of 510°C. In this case, it is desirable to use cemented carbide, stainless steel, or ceramics for the materials of the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, and the first spacer 40 so that they can withstand high-pressure pressing loads.

[0039] Furthermore, as described above, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1 substantially coincide when the first mold 10 and the corner 1e make contact with a narrow annular surface along a circle centered on the central axis of the protrusion 1a. For this reason, it is preferable that the flange 10c of the first mold 10 and the abutment surface 40a of the first spacer 40 come into contact at the same time or after, and that a press load be applied to elastically deform the corner 1e and the first spacer 40. Here, as shown in Figure 9, when the inner diameter of the protrusion 1a is Rc, let La be the distance from the position where the outer diameter of the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 is Rc in the Z direction to the contact surface of the flange 10c with respect to the first spacer 40. Also, let Lc be the distance from the position of the corner 1e where the body mold 1 comes into contact with the first axis adjustment part 10d in the Z direction to the contact surface of the receiving part 1c with respect to the first spacer 40. In this case, in order to obtain the effects described above, it is desirable that the thickness td of the first spacer satisfies the following equation 1. td≦La-Lc (Formula 1)

[0040] Furthermore, if the elastic deformation amount of the first spacer 40 is set to a value of 0.5 μm or less, the elastic deformation amount of the corner 1e of the body mold 1 will be small. As a result, as the number of molding cycles increases and sliding wear of the corner 1e progresses, it may become impossible for the first mold 10 and the corner 1e to contact along the circle (the entire area of ​​the corner 1e) centered on the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a. In such a case, it becomes impossible to substantially align the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 with the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1. On the other hand, if the elastic deformation amount of the first spacer is set to a value of 300 μm or more, the elastic deformation amount of the corner 1e of the body mold 1 will be large, and the resulting stress may exceed the strength limit, potentially causing failure. Therefore, it is desirable to select the material and shape of the first spacer so that its elastic deformation amount is between 0.5 μm and 300 μm.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to obtain the effects described above, it is necessary that the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 can be easily moved so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1 are close together, while the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 is in contact with the corner part 1e of the body mold 1. For this reason, it is desirable that the coefficient of friction between the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 be small. Generally, the coefficient of friction increases when metals of the same material are rubbed together, so it is desirable that the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 be made of different materials.

[0042] Furthermore, although the central axis of the second mold 20 is configured to be substantially coaxial with the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1, in reality a gap must be provided for fitting, which results in a misalignment of the axis. This misalignment of the axis can be compensated for by, for example, utilizing the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials of these components. Specifically, it is desirable to configure the mold so that when heated, the gap between the second mold 20 and the body mold 1 becomes smaller due to thermal expansion. In other words, it is desirable that the thermal expansion coefficient of the second mold 20 is greater than that of the body mold 1.

[0043] Furthermore, the control temperatures of the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, and the first spacer 40, as well as the press pressure applied to the first mold 10 from the drive source 70, are set appropriately according to the type of molding material used and the shape of the molded product.

[0044] For example, the temperature of the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, and the first spacer 40 is set to a first temperature (e.g., 460°C) (step S801), and then the glass, which will be used as the molding material 31, is set into these molds (step S802). These components are then heated to a second temperature (e.g., 570°C), which is higher than the first temperature, to reduce the viscosity of the molding material 31 to a state suitable for molding. Then, it is pressed with a first load (e.g., a load of 4000N) (steps S803-S806). Once the molding material 31 has been pressed to a certain thickness, the process moves to a cooling step (step S807). When the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 have reached a third temperature (e.g., 550°C), which is lower than the second temperature, a second load (e.g., 6000N) is applied to the molded body 30 from the first mold. Cooling is continued in this state, and when the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 reach a temperature lower than the third temperature (for example, 480°C), the pressure from the first mold 10 is released. Then, when the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 have cooled to a fifth temperature lower than the fourth temperature (for example, 460°C), the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-plus direction to open the mold and remove the molded body 30 (step S808).

[0045] The molded body 30 formed in the above molding process can be used as an interchangeable lens or a lens mounted on an information terminal. An example of using the optical element, which is the molded body 30, as a lens will be described with reference to Figure 24. Figures 24(a) and 24(b) schematically show an example of an information terminal 310 such as a smartphone using an optical element (molded body 30), and an example of a lens unit 301 mounted thereon. The illustrated information terminal 310 is provided with two lens units 301, and an optical element (molded body 30) is used in each lens unit 301.

[0046] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the molding apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 with the first mold 10-2 open. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same components as in Embodiment 1, and the explanation is simplified or omitted here.

[0047] In Embodiment 1, the portion of the first mold 10 facing the Z-minus end (lower end), i.e., the first axial adjustment portion 10d facing the corner portion 1e, was an inverted frustoconical shape composed of a tapered surface inclined with respect to the central axis AX1. In contrast, in this embodiment, the first axial adjustment portion 10d-2 has a curved surface that forms the side when cut along the axial direction, rather than being a straight line. The central axis of the first axial adjustment portion 10d-2 is substantially located on the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10-2.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the first mold 10-2 is moved in the Z-minus direction from the state shown in Figure 10, the first axis adjustment portion 10d-2 of the first mold 10-2 comes into contact with the corner portion 1e of the body mold 1. Further movement of the first mold 10-2 in the Z-minus direction generates stress in the X-plus direction in the first mold 10-2 and stress in the X-minus direction in the body mold 1, causing the first mold 10-2 or the body mold 1 to move so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10-2 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together.

[0049] Furthermore, when the first die 10-2 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the first die 10-2 and the body die 1 come into contact over the entire area of ​​an annular plane containing a circle parallel to the XY plane, and the central axis AX1 of the first die 10-2 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body die 1 substantially coincide. Therefore, when the pressing of the molded material 31 is completed, the central axis AX1 of the first die 10-2, the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body die 1, and the central axis of the second die 20 become substantially coaxial.

[0050] In this embodiment as well, as the number of molding cycles increases, sliding wear of the corner portion 1e progresses and a sliding wear portion is formed. Even in this state, similar to Embodiment 1, the contact portion with the first axis adjustment portion 10d-2 at the corner portion 1e facing the sliding wear portion becomes larger than that of the sliding wear portion, and therefore the amount of elastic deformation in that portion increases. As a result, the first mold 10-2 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10-2 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together, thus suppressing axial misalignment. For this reason, compared to the conventional methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the possibility of axial misalignment can be significantly reduced even when mass production is carried out by continuous molding.

[0051] In this embodiment as well, the first mold 10-2 is moved in the first (Z-minus) direction to approach the second mold 20 held in the body mold 1. At this time, the first mold 10-2 or the body mold 1 moves in a direction intersecting the first direction, and moves in a direction in which the central axis of the first mold 10-2 and the central axis of the body mold 1 move closer together. For example, in continuous molding, sliding wear may occur in a part of the body mold 1, and as a result, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10-2 may be displaced with respect to the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1. According to this embodiment, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the corner portion 1e that occurs with a pressing force smaller than the pressing force during press molding, the positions of the first mold 10-2 and the body mold 1 are automatically adjusted in the mold clamping state so that the central axes AX1 and AX2 move closer together. For this reason, even during continuous molding, the molding material 31 can be pressed while the axial misalignment between the first mold 10-2 and the second mold 20 is suppressed, and after cooling, the mold can be opened and the molded body 30 can be removed. Therefore, even if sliding wear occurs in the body mold 1, for example, it becomes possible to continuously mass-produce press-formed products with extremely small optical axis misalignment.

[0052] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figures 11(a) and 11(b). Figure 11(a) is a top view of the top surface of the mold 1-3 of this embodiment, as seen from the first mold 10 side (Z-plus direction side), and Figure 11(b) is a perspective view of the top surface of the mold 1-3 as seen from an oblique angle. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same matters as in Embodiment 1, and the explanation is simplified or omitted here.

[0053] This embodiment is similar to Embodiment 1 in that corners are provided on the body mold, but the shape of the corners differs from Embodiment 1, and the manner in which the first mold 10 and the corners abut is also different. The protrusions 1a-3f in this embodiment are composed of projections 1a-3f1, 1a-3f2, and 1a-3f3 that correspond to a part of the cylindrical shape centered on the central axis AX2. In the illustrated example, the projections 1a-3f1, 1a-3f2, and 1a-3f3 are symmetrically arranged in three locations, shifted by 120 degrees each when viewed in rotational coordinates, so as to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis AX2, but they may be provided in four or more locations as long as they are arranged symmetrically. These projections 1a-3f1, 1a-3f2, and 1a-3f3 each have corners 1e-3f1, 1e-3f2, and 1e-3f3 that are located on the positive Z-direction side during use.

[0054] In this embodiment as well, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the first mold 10 and the body mold 1-3 come into contact along the corners 1e-3f1, 1e-3f2, and 1e-3f3 that lie within a circle parallel to the XY plane. Therefore, when the pressing of the molded material 31 is completed, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10, the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a-3f of the body mold 1, and the central axis of the second mold 20 become substantially coaxial.

[0055] In this embodiment as well, as the number of molding cycles increases, sliding wear progresses at one of the corners 1e-3f1, 1e-3f2, or 1e-3f3, forming a sliding wear portion. Even in this state, similar to Embodiment 1, the contact area with the first axis adjustment portion 10d at the corner of the protrusion, which is different from the sliding wear portion, becomes smaller than the contact area of ​​the sliding wear portion, and therefore the amount of elastic deformation in that portion increases. As a result, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1-3 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusions 1a-3f1, 1a-3f2, 1a-3f3 of the body mold 1 come closer together, thus suppressing axial misalignment. For this reason, compared to the conventional methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the possibility of axial misalignment can be significantly reduced even when continuous molding is performed for mass production.

[0056] In this embodiment as well, the first mold 10 is moved in the first (Z-minus) direction to approach the second mold 20 held in the body mold 1. At this time, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1-3 moves in a direction intersecting the first direction, and moves in a direction in which the central axis of the first mold 10 and the central axis of the body mold 1-3 move closer together. For example, due to continuous molding, sliding wear occurs on a part of the body mold 1-3, and as a result, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 may be displaced with respect to the central axis AX2 of the protrusions 1a-3f1, 1a-3f2, 1a-3f3 (convex portion 1a-3f) of the body mold 1-3. According to this embodiment, the elastic deformation of the corners 1e-3f1, 1e-3f2, 1e-3f3 that occurs with a pressure smaller than the pressure applied during press molding is utilized. As a result, in the mold clamping state, the positions of the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 are automatically adjusted so that the central axis AX1 and the central axis AX2 move closer together. Therefore, even during continuous molding, the molding material 31 can be pressed while the axial misalignment between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 is suppressed, and after cooling, the mold can be opened to remove the molded body 30. Consequently, even if sliding wear occurs in the body mold 1, for example, it becomes possible to continuously mass-produce press-molded products with extremely small optical axis misalignment.

[0057] [Embodiment 4] Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first mold 10 in the molding apparatus 102 according to Embodiment 4 in an open state. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same matters as in Embodiment 1, and the explanation is simplified or omitted here.

[0058] In Embodiment 1, the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1 was cylindrical with the central axis AX2 as its center. In contrast, this embodiment differs in the shape of the protrusion 1a-4 of the body mold 1-4. Specifically, the protrusion 1a-4 is composed of a tapered surface 1a-41 and a cylindrical surface 1a-42 with the central axis AX2 as its center. The tapered surface 1a-41 is inclined toward the central axis AX2 as it moves further away from the first axis adjustment section 10d of the first mold 10 in the Z direction, and its inclination angle is configured to be greater than the inclination angle of the first axis adjustment section 10d.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction from the state shown in Figure 12. As a result, the first axis adjustment portion 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner portion 1a-4e formed by the tapered surface 1a-41 and the cylindrical surface 1a-42 of the body mold 1-4. Further movement of the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction generates stress in the X-plus direction in the first mold 10 and stress in the X-minus direction in the body mold 1-4, causing the first mold 10 or the body mold 1-4 to move so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a-4 of the body mold 1-4 move closer together. In other words, by providing the tapered surface 1a-41, the body mold 1-4 can be fitted to the first mold 10 even if the central axes AX1 and AX2 are further apart in the mold-open state than in Embodiment 1.

[0060] Furthermore, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the first mold 10 and the corners 1a-4e come into contact with the entire annular surface containing a circle parallel to the XY plane, and the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a-4 of the body mold 1-4 substantially coincide. Thereafter, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the corners 1a-4e undergo elastic deformation. Therefore, when the pressing of the molded material 31 is completed, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10, the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a-4 of the body mold 1-4, and the central axis of the second mold 20 become substantially coaxial.

[0061] In this embodiment as well, as the number of molding cycles increases, sliding wear progresses on the corners 1a-4e, forming a sliding wear portion. Even in this state, similar to Embodiment 1, the contact area between the corners 1a-4e facing the sliding wear portion and the first axis adjustment portion 10d becomes smaller than that of the sliding wear portion, and therefore the amount of elastic deformation in that portion increases. As a result, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1-4 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a-4 of the body mold 1-4 come closer together, thus suppressing axial misalignment. For this reason, compared to the conventional methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the possibility of axial misalignment can be significantly reduced even when continuous molding is performed for mass production.

[0062] In this embodiment as well, the first mold 10 is moved in the first (Z-minus) direction to approach the second mold 20 held by the body mold 1-4. At this time, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1-4 moves in a direction intersecting the first direction, and moves in a direction in which the central axis of the first mold 10 and the central axis of the body mold 1-4 move closer together. For example, sliding wear may occur on a part of the body mold 1-4 due to continuous molding, and as a result, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 may be displaced relative to the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a-4 of the body mold 1-4. According to this embodiment, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the corner portion 1a-4e that occurs with a pressure smaller than the pressure applied during press molding, the positions of the first mold 10 and the body mold 1-4 are automatically adjusted in the clamped state so that the central axes AX1 and AX2 move closer together. Therefore, even during continuous molding, the molding material 31 can be pressed while the axial misalignment between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 is suppressed, and after cooling, the mold can be opened and the molded body 30 can be removed. Therefore, even if sliding wear occurs in the body mold 1, for example, it becomes possible to continuously mass-produce press-formed products with extremely small optical axis misalignment.

[0063] [Embodiment 5] Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the first mold 10 is open before the molding apparatus 103 of this embodiment performs a press operation. Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the molding apparatus 103 closes the first mold 10 during the press operation. Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for correcting the misalignment of the axis when sliding wear of the corner portion 1e progresses due to repeated molding cycles in the molding apparatus 103.

[0064] Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in the molding apparatus 103 where sliding wear of the corner portion 1e has progressed after repeated molding cycles, and the state in which the first mold 10 is opened before the press operation after the first spacer 40 and the second spacer 80 have been swapped from before the correction. Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in the molding apparatus 103 where sliding wear of the corner portion 1e has progressed after repeated molding cycles, and the state in which the first mold 10 is closed during the press operation after the first spacer 40 and the second spacer 80 have been swapped from before the correction.

[0065] Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus 103, showing a state in which sliding wear of the corner portion 1e has progressed due to repeated molding cycles, and the first mold 10 has been opened before the press operation after being heated to a higher temperature than before the correction. Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus 103, showing a state in which sliding wear of the corner portion 1e has progressed due to repeated molding cycles, and the first mold 10 has been closed during the press operation after being heated to a higher temperature than before the correction.

[0066] Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus 103, showing a state in which sliding wear of the corner portion 1e has progressed due to repeated molding cycles, and the first mold 10 has been opened before the press operation was performed after the second spacer 80 was replaced from before the correction and the press load was increased. Figure 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding apparatus 103, showing a state in which sliding wear of the corner portion 1e has progressed due to repeated molding cycles, and the first mold 10 has been closed after the press operation was performed after the press operation was performed after the second spacer 80 was replaced from before the correction and the press load was increased.

[0067] The molding apparatus 103 according to Embodiment 5 will be described below with reference to these drawings. In the following description, in this embodiment, components similar to those in Embodiment 1 will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be simplified or omitted here.

[0068] In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, a second spacer 80 is provided that abuts against the Z-minus end (lower end) of the second mold 20, which is different from the molding apparatus 100 described in Embodiment 1.

[0069] In this embodiment, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction from the open state shown in Figure 13 to the closed state shown in Figure 14, the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner 1e of the body mold 1. Further movement of the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction generates stress in the X-plus direction in the first mold 10 and stress in the X-minus direction in the body mold 1, causing the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 to move so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex part 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together. In this embodiment, a second spacer 80 is used, and by setting the thickness te of the second spacer 80 to the value calculated by the following equation 2, an appropriate thickness of the molded body 30 can be obtained. Furthermore, all of these thicknesses are defined in the direction of the central axis. te = (tc + td) - (ta + tb + tf) (Equation 2) Here, ta is the thickness of the first mold 10 in the direction of the central axis AX1, and tb is the thickness of the second mold 20 in the direction of the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1. Also, tc is the thickness of the body mold 1 in the direction of the central axis AX2, td is the thickness of the first spacer 40 in the first direction, and tf is the thickness of the molded body 30 in the first direction.

[0070] Furthermore, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 come into contact with the entire annular surface containing a circle parallel to the XY plane, and the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1 substantially coincide. Then, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the abutment surface 40a of the first spacer 40, causing elastic deformation of the corner portion 1e, and reaching the mold clamping state shown in Figure 14. Therefore, when the pressing of the molded material 31 is completed, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10, the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1, and the central axis of the second mold 20 become substantially coaxial.

[0071] In this embodiment as well, as the number of molding cycles increases, sliding wear of the corner portion 1e progresses and a sliding wear portion is formed. Even in this state, similar to Embodiment 1, the contact area between the corner portion 1e facing the sliding wear portion and the first axis adjustment portion 10d becomes smaller than that of the sliding wear portion, and therefore the amount of elastic deformation in that portion increases. As a result, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 get closer together, thus suppressing misalignment of the axis.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, even if the sliding wear of the protrusion 1a progresses with repeated molding cycles, forming a sliding wear portion 1d and causing an optical axis misalignment of d1, this embodiment can still correct it. When an optical axis misalignment of d1 occurs, the distance x1d in the X direction of the sliding wear portion 1d also becomes d1. Therefore, when the inclination angle of the first axis adjustment portion 10d is θ, the distance z1d in the Z direction of the sliding wear portion 1d is calculated by the following equation 3. z1d=d1tanθ (Equation 3)

[0073] In such cases, for example, the thickness of the first spacer 40 in the Z direction is corrected to move the position of the first mold 10 at the time of mold clamping in the Z-minus direction by d1tanθ relative to the corner 1e of the body mold 1. This makes it possible to bring the non-sliding wear portion 10f of the first mold 10 and the non-sliding wear portion 1h of the body mold 1 into contact with the entire area of ​​the annular surface including a circle parallel to the XY plane, thereby suppressing axial misalignment. For this reason, compared to the conventional methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the possibility of axial misalignment can be significantly reduced even when mass production is carried out by continuous molding.

[0074] Furthermore, if the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction relative to the corner 1e of the body mold 1, the distance in the Z direction between the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold becomes shorter, and the thickness of the molded body 30 decreases. In such cases, it is desirable to add the second spacer 80 by that amount, or to correct the thickness in the Z direction, and move the second mold 20 in the Z-minus direction to maintain the thickness of the molded body 30 before and after the correction.

[0075] Furthermore, in order to move the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction relative to the corner 1e of the body mold 1, it is desirable that the first spacer 40 be detachable and changeable to any thickness when the mold is open as shown in Figure 16. Similarly, in order to move the second mold 20 in the Z-minus direction, it is desirable that the second spacer 80 be detachable and changeable to any thickness (for example, the second spacer 81 of different thicknesses shown in Figure 17) when the mold is open as shown in Figure 16. This makes it possible to suppress axial misalignment when the mold is clamped as shown in Figure 17.

[0076] Alternatively, consider the case where the mold is heated and clamped from the open state shown in Figure 18. In such a case, since the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction relative to the corner 1e of the body mold 1, it is desirable that the first spacer 40 has a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion than at least one of the first mold 10 or the body mold 1. Next, the preferred thermal expansion coefficient αe of the second spacer 80 will be described. Let the thermal expansion coefficient of the first mold 10 be αa and its thickness be ta, the thermal expansion coefficient of the second mold 20 be αb and its thickness be tb, the thermal expansion coefficient of the body mold 1 be αc and its thickness be tc, the thermal expansion coefficient of the first spacer 40 be αd and its thickness be td, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the second spacer 80 be αe and its thickness be te. In this case, when heated by a temperature ΔT, the change in distance z20a in the Z direction between the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 is calculated by the following equation 4. z20a=(αc×tc×ΔT+αd×td×ΔT)-(αa×ta×ΔT+αb×tb×ΔT+αe×te×ΔT) (Formula 4)

[0077] Here, in order to maintain the thickness of the molded body 30 before and after heating, it is necessary to satisfy z20a=0 in equation 3. Therefore, it is desirable that the thermal expansion coefficient αe of the second spacer 80 satisfies the following equation 5. αe={(αc×tc+αd×td)-(αa×ta+αb×tb)} / te (Formula 5) By setting the thermal expansion coefficient and thickness of each mold, body mold, and spacer in this manner, axial misalignment can be suppressed when the mold is clamped as shown in Figure 19.

[0078] Alternatively, when the mold is clamped and pressurized from the open state shown in Figure 20, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction relative to the corner 1e of the body mold 1, so it is desirable that the Young's modulus of the first spacer 40 is smaller than that of the body mold 1. Furthermore, in order to move the second mold 20 in the Z-minus direction, it is desirable that the second spacer 80 is detachable and can be changed to any thickness (for example, a second spacer 81 of a different thickness in Figure 20) when the mold is open as shown in Figure 20. This makes it possible to suppress axial misalignment when the mold is clamped as shown in Figure 21.

[0079] In this embodiment as well, the first mold 10 is moved in the first (Z-minus) direction to approach the second mold 20 held in the body mold 1. At this time, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves in a direction intersecting the first direction, and moves in a direction in which the central axis of the first mold 10 and the central axis of the body mold 1 move closer together. For example, due to continuous molding, sliding wear occurs in a part of the body mold 1, causing the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 to be displaced with respect to the central axis AX2 of the protrusion 1a of the body mold 1. According to this embodiment, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the corner portion 1e that occurs with a pressing force smaller than the pressing force during press molding, the positions of the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 are automatically adjusted in the mold clamping state so that the central axes AX1 and AX2 move closer together. For this reason, even during continuous molding, the molding material 31 can be pressed in a state in which the axial misalignment between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 is suppressed, and after cooling, the mold can be opened and the molded body 30 can be removed. Therefore, even if sliding wear occurs in the body mold 1, for example, it becomes possible to continuously mass-produce press-formed products with extremely small optical axis misalignment.

[0080] [Example 5-1] Here, a specific embodiment of Embodiment 5 will be described below as Example 5-1. In Example 5-1, an optical element as a molded body is manufactured by press-molding optical glass as a molding material using the molding apparatus 103 described with reference to Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. The press-molding process is carried out in an N2 gas atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the mold and apparatus.

[0081] In Example 5-1, press-formed products were continuously mass-produced by repeating a series of operations, including the mold opening shown in Figure 13 and the mold clamping shown in Figure 14, using the same molding method as in Example 1, which was described with reference to Figure 8. In the press molding process, after exceeding 10,000 molding cycles, sliding wear of the corner portion 1e progresses from the initial molding stage, and the optical axis misalignment becomes large. Therefore, in this example, a correction process is performed on the molding apparatus before executing the subsequent molding process.

[0082] In the correction process, first, with the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 separated from the first spacer 40 in the mold-open state and before heating, the detachable first spacer 40 and second spacer 80 were removed. Then, as shown in Figure 15, the distance z1d (correction value dz) in the Z direction of the sliding wear portion 1d was calculated from the amount of optical axis misalignment and the inclination angle of the first axis adjustment portion 10d using Equation 2. Furthermore, in the mold-clamped state, a first spacer 41 (see Figure 16), which is a thinner version of the first spacer 40 by the correction value dz, was installed so that the first mold 10 could be moved in the Z-minus direction relative to the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 by the correction value dz. In addition, a second spacer 81, which is a thinner version of the second spacer 80 by the correction value dz, was installed so that the second mold 20 could be moved in the Z-minus direction by the correction value dz.

[0083] After the spacers are replaced, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 41, and the second spacer 81 are heated to a predetermined temperature using heaters 51 and 61, and these components are maintained at that predetermined temperature. Next, the optical glass material is placed with precise positional accuracy as the molding material 31 at the center of the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 using a hand (not shown). Subsequently, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 41, and the second spacer 81 are heated to the press temperature using heaters 51 and 61, and these components are maintained at that temperature.

[0084] Subsequently, the drive source 70 moves the first mold 10 and the first mold holding member 50 in the Z-minus direction. As the movement continues, the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner 1e of the body mold 1. If the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction from this state, the corner 1e begins to elastically deform. Almost simultaneously, stress is generated in the first mold 10 in the X-plus direction and in the body mold 1 in the X-minus direction. Due to this stress, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex part 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together, and automatic position adjustments are performed.

[0085] Furthermore, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the non-sliding wear portion 10f of the first mold 10 and the non-sliding wear portion 1h of the body mold 1 come into contact along a circle parallel to the XY plane. As a result, the aforementioned stress action suppresses the misalignment of the axes of the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1. Thereafter, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the corner portion 1e undergoes further elastic deformation.

[0086] Furthermore, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the abutment surface 41a of the first spacer 41, and the first spacer 41 elastically deforms in response to the press load, reaching the mold clamping state shown in Figure 17. When a press load is applied while moving the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction, the molded material 31 is sandwiched between the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20, and pressing is performed, transferring the shape of the optical element to the molded material 31.

[0087] Once the molding material 31 has been pressed to a predetermined thickness and the press molding process is complete, the press pressure is maintained or switched to a lower pressure, and the cooling process begins. The first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 41, and the second spacer 81 are cooled by N2 gas supplied through an N2 introduction pipe (not shown), as described above. The flow rate of the N2 gas is controlled by passing it through a mass flow controller or the like, so that cooling is performed at an appropriate rate.

[0088] Here, while the mold is being opened and the molded body 30 is being cooled to a temperature at which it can be removed, the press pressure is maintained or switched to high pressure to prevent the optical element, which is the molded body, from shrinking and peeling off from the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20. Then, when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature below the glass transition point, the pressure applied to the first mold 10 is released by the drive source 70, and further cooling is performed as needed. When the molded body 30 reaches a predetermined temperature at which it can be removed, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-plus direction by the drive source 70 to open the mold. Then, the molded body 30 is removed from the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 by a hand (not shown), and the molding is completed. By repeating the above series of operations, optical elements, which are molded products with high shape accuracy, are mass-produced.

[0089] [Example 5-2] A further specific embodiment of Embodiment 5 is described below as Example 5-2. In Example 5-2, optical glass as a molding material is press-molded using a molding apparatus described with reference to Figures 13, 14, 18, and 19 to manufacture an optical element as a molded body. The press molding process is carried out in an N2 gas atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the mold and apparatus.

[0090] In Example 5-2, press-formed products were continuously mass-produced by repeatedly performing a series of operations, including the mold opening shown in Figure 13 and the mold clamping shown in Figure 14, using the same molding method as in Example 1. In the press molding process, after exceeding 10,000 molding cycles, sliding wear of the corner portion 1e progresses from the initial molding stage, and the optical axis misalignment becomes large. Therefore, in this example, a correction process is performed on the molding apparatus before executing the subsequent molding process. In Example 5-1, the correction process was performed by replacing the spacer, but in this example, correction during the molding process is made possible by utilizing the difference in thermal expansion of each component in the molding apparatus.

[0091] In the molding process of this embodiment, first, as shown in Figure 16, the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 is left in an open state, separated from the first spacer 40. Then, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 80 are heated to a predetermined temperature using heaters 51 and 61, and these components are maintained at the predetermined temperature. Next, using a hand (not shown), the optical glass material is placed with precise positional accuracy at the center of the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20. After that, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 80 are heated to the press temperature using heaters 51 and 61.

[0092] Here, the distance z1d (correction value dz) in the Z direction of the sliding wear portion 1d is calculated in advance from the amount of optical axis misalignment and the inclination angle of the first axis adjustment portion 10d using Equation 2. In this embodiment, the first mold 10 is heated and thermally expanded so that, in the clamped state, the first mold 10 moves in the Z-minus direction by the correction value dz relative to the corner portion 1e of the body mold 1.

[0093] Here, let αa be the thermal expansion coefficient of the first mold 10, αc be the thermal expansion coefficient of the body mold, and αd be the thermal expansion coefficient of the first spacer. Let l1 be the distance in the Z direction from the contact surface of the first mold 10 with respect to the first spacer 40 to the Z-minus end (lower end) of the non-sliding wear portion 10f. Let l2 be the distance from the contact surface of the body mold 1 with respect to the first spacer 40 to the Z-plus end (upper end) of the non-sliding wear portion 1h, and let l3 be the thickness of the first spacer 40. Let ΔT be the temperature rise from before the correction. In this case, in order to move the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction by a correction value dz or more relative to the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1, the following equation 6 must be satisfied. dz ≤ αa × l1 × ΔT - (αc × l2 × ΔT + αd × l3 × ΔT) (Equation 6) Therefore, the temperature is raised by further heating by ΔT or more so that the following equation 7 is satisfied. ΔT≧dz / (αa×l1-αc×l2+αd×l3) (Formula 7)

[0094] After heating the first mold 10 to cause thermal expansion according to the above conditions, the drive source 70 moves the first mold 10 and the first mold holding member 50 in the Z-minus direction. As the movement continues, the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner 1e of the body mold 1. If the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction from this state, the corner 1e begins to elastically deform. Almost simultaneously, stress is generated in the first mold 10 in the X-plus direction and in the body mold 1 in the X-minus direction. Due to this stress, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex part 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together, and automatic position adjustment is performed.

[0095] Furthermore, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the non-sliding wear portion 10f of the first mold 10 and the non-sliding wear portion 1h of the body mold 1 come into contact along a circle parallel to the XY plane. As a result, the aforementioned stress action suppresses the misalignment of the axes of the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1. Thereafter, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the corner portion 1e undergoes further elastic deformation.

[0096] Furthermore, when the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the abutment surface 40a of the first spacer 40, and the first spacer 40 elastically deforms in response to the press load, reaching the mold clamping state shown in Figure 19. When a press load is applied while moving the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction, the molded material 31 is sandwiched between the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20, and pressing is performed, transferring the shape of the optical element to the molded material 31.

[0097] Once the molded material 31 has been pressed to a predetermined thickness and the press molding process is complete, the press pressure is maintained or switched to a lower pressure, and the cooling process begins. The first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 80 are cooled by N2 gas supplied through an N2 introduction pipe (not shown), as described above. The flow rate of the N2 gas is controlled by passing it through a mass flow controller or the like, so that cooling is performed at an appropriate rate.

[0098] Here, while the mold is being opened and the molded body 30 is being cooled to a temperature at which it can be removed, the press pressure is maintained or switched to high pressure to prevent the optical element, which is the molded body, from shrinking and peeling off from the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20. Then, when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature below the glass transition point, the pressure applied to the first mold 10 is released by the drive source 70, and further cooling is performed as needed. When the molded body 30 reaches a predetermined temperature at which it can be removed, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-plus direction by the drive source 70 to open the mold. Then, the molded body 30 is removed from the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 by a hand (not shown), and the molding is completed. By repeating the above series of operations, optical elements, which are molded products with high shape accuracy, are mass-produced.

[0099] [Example 5-3] A further specific embodiment of Embodiment 5 is described below as Example 5-3. In Example 5-3, optical glass is press-molded as a molding material to produce an optical element as a molded body using a molding apparatus described with reference to Figures 13, 14, 20, and 21. The press molding process is carried out in an N2 gas atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the mold and apparatus.

[0100] In Example 5-3, press-formed products were continuously mass-produced by repeatedly performing a series of operations, including the mold opening shown in Figure 13 and the mold clamping shown in Figure 14, using the same molding method as in Example 1. In the press molding process, after exceeding 10,000 molding cycles, sliding wear of the corner portion 1e progresses from the initial molding stage, and the optical axis misalignment becomes large. Therefore, in this example, a correction process is performed on the molding apparatus before the subsequent molding process is carried out. In Example 5-1, the correction process was performed by replacing the spacer, and in Example 5-3, the correction was performed by the difference in the amount of thermal expansion of each component. In contrast, in this example, correction in the molding process is made possible by utilizing both the replacement of the spacer and the change in press load that focuses on the difference in the Young's modulus of each component.

[0101] In the molding process of this embodiment, first, the detachable second spacer 80 was removed while the mold was open, with the flange portion 10c of the first mold 10 separated from the first spacer 40, and before heating. Then, as shown in Figure 20, the distance z1d (correction value dz) in the Z direction of the sliding wear portion 1d was calculated from the amount of optical axis misalignment and the inclination angle of the first axis adjustment portion 10d using Equation 2. Furthermore, in order to move the second mold 20 in the Z-minus direction by the correction value dz, a second spacer 81 was attached, which was the second spacer 80 thinned by the correction value dz.

[0102] After the spacer is replaced, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 81 are heated to a predetermined temperature using heaters 51 and 61, and these components are maintained at that predetermined temperature. Next, the optical glass material is placed with precise positional accuracy as the molding material 31 at the center of the molding surface 20a of the second mold using a hand (not shown). Subsequently, the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 81 are heated to the press temperature using heaters 51 and 61, and these components are maintained at that temperature.

[0103] Subsequently, the drive source 70 moves the first mold 10 and the first mold holding member 50 in the Z-minus direction. As the movement continues, the first axis adjustment part 10d of the first mold 10 comes into contact with the corner 1e of the body mold 1. If the first mold 10 is moved further in the Z-minus direction from this state, the corner 1e begins to elastically deform. Almost simultaneously, stress is generated in the first mold 10 in the X-plus direction and in the body mold 1 in the X-minus direction. Due to this stress, the first mold 10 or the body mold 1 moves so that the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex part 1a of the body mold 1 come closer together, and automatic position adjustments are performed.

[0104] Furthermore, when the first die 10 is moved in the Z-minus direction, the flange portion 10c of the first die 10 comes into contact with the abutment surface 40a of the first spacer 40, and the first spacer 40 and the die body 1 undergo elastic deformation in accordance with the press load. Here, let Ec be the Young's modulus of the die body 1 and Ed be the Young's modulus of the first spacer 40. Also, let Sc be the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the die body 1 in the XY plane, and Sd be the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the first spacer 40 in the XY plane. Let l2 be the distance from the contact surface of the die body 1 with respect to the first spacer 40 to the Z-plus end (upper end) of the non-sliding wear portion 1h, and let l3 be the thickness of the first spacer. If ΔF is the press load to be further increased from before the correction, then in order to move the first die 10 in the Z-minus direction relative to the convex portion 1a of the die body 1 by a correction value dz or more, the following equation 8 must be satisfied. dz≦ΔF×l2 / Sc×Ec+ΔF×l3 / Sd×Ed (Formula 8) Therefore, the press load is increased by ΔF or more to satisfy equation 9 below. ΔF≧dz / {(l2 / Sc×Ec)+(l3 / Sd×Ed)} (Equation 9)

[0105] By increasing the press load to satisfy these conditions, the non-sliding wear portion 10f of the first mold 10 and the non-sliding wear portion 1h of the body mold 1 can come into contact along a circle parallel to the XY plane. As a result, the misalignment of the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis AX2 of the convex portion 1a of the body mold 1 is suppressed, leading to the mold clamping state shown in Figure 21. When the press load is applied while moving the first mold 10 in the Z-minus direction, the molding material 31 is sandwiched between the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 and pressed, transferring the shape of the optical element to the molding material 31.

[0106] Once the molding material 31 has been pressed to a predetermined thickness and the press molding process is complete, the press pressure is maintained or switched to a lower pressure, and the cooling process begins. The first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 81 are cooled by N2 gas supplied through an N2 introduction pipe (not shown), as described above. The flow rate of the N2 gas is controlled by passing it through a mass flow controller or the like, so that cooling is performed at an appropriate rate.

[0107] Here, while the mold is being opened and the molded body 30 is being cooled to a temperature at which it can be removed, the press pressure is maintained or switched to high pressure to prevent the optical element, which is the molded body, from shrinking and peeling off from the molding surface 10a of the first mold 10 and the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20. Then, when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature below the glass transition point, the pressure applied to the first mold 10 is released by the drive source 70, and further cooling is performed as needed. When the molded body 30 reaches a predetermined temperature at which it can be removed, the first mold 10 is moved in the Z-plus direction by the drive source 70 to open the mold. Then, the molded body 30 is removed from the molding surface 20a of the second mold 20 by a hand (not shown), and the molding is completed. By repeating the above series of operations, optical elements, which are molded products with high shape accuracy, are mass-produced.

[0108] As described above, the molding apparatus (100) according to the present invention comprises a first mold 10, a second mold 20, and a body mold 1 into which the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 are fitted. In the molding apparatus, the body mold 1 has a corner portion 1e on the fitting surface with the first mold 10. The first mold 10 also has an inclined surface (first axis adjustment portion 10d) that contacts the corner portion 1e. In the embodiments or examples described above, the mold housing space in the body mold 1 into which the first mold 10 is fitted is described as having a cylindrical shape. However, the housing space to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the body mold 1 can be an ellipse, a polygon, or various other shapes depending on the application of the molding apparatus and the materials of the components used. Furthermore, the inclined surface (10d) provided on the first mold 10 is not limited to a frustocone, but can be changed to correspond to the shape of the housing space. The inclined surface should be formed such that, for example, in the first direction in which the first mold 10 moves, the distance from the central axis decreases as it moves in a direction closer to the arrangement of the body mold 1, and it should have a shape that allows for approximate linear contact when it comes into contact with a corner. Note that approximate linear contact includes cases where, even if it becomes partial point contact depending on the machining accuracy of the corner top and the flatness of the inclined surface, the contact portion becomes linear when the corner top elastically deforms due to the load.

[0109] In the molding apparatus described above, the first mold 10 is moved in a first direction, and the molding material 31 is sandwiched between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 to form the molded body 30. At that time, as the first mold 10 moves with the corner 1e of the body mold 1 and the inclined surface (10d) of the first mold 10 in contact, the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 and the central axis (AX2) of the body mold are aligned. Then, the contact portion between the corner 1e of the body mold 1 and the first mold 10 (inclined surface), as viewed from the first direction, is provided in a circular or arc shape.

[0110] Furthermore, in the molding apparatus described above, as illustrated in Embodiment 3, for example, the corner portion 1e is preferably provided at least in part at a position facing the inclined surface (10d) of the first mold 10 in the direction in which the central axis AX2 of the mold body 1 extends. Also, as illustrated in Embodiment 1, the corner portion 1e can be formed in a cross section along the central axis AX2 of the mold body 1 by a fitting surface and a surface that intersects the fitting surface at a different angle from the inclined surface. However, the form of the corner portion 1e is not limited to this example, and may be formed by two surfaces (1a-41, 1a-42) that extend from and intersect the inclined surface (10d) in the mold body 1 at different angles, as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0111] Furthermore, in the molding apparatus described above, as illustrated in Figure 7, the corner portion 1e of the mold body 1 as viewed from the first direction may be provided along the inner circumference of the fitting surface of the mold body 1. However, it may also be provided only partially, as illustrated in Figure 11, for example.

[0112] Furthermore, the molding apparatus described above further includes a first spacer 40 positioned between the body mold 1 and the first mold 10. The first spacer 40 is provided to elastically deform when the first mold 10 applies a predetermined pressing load to the first spacer 40 when the first mold 10 is moved in a first direction to form a molded body 30 by sandwiching the molding material 31 between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20. Preferably, the first spacer 40 is provided to elastically deform in the first direction within a range of 0.5 μm or more and 300 μm or less. Also, preferably, the thickness td of the first spacer 40 in the first direction satisfies td ≤ La - Lc. In the above formula, when the inner diameter of the corner 1e that contacts the inclined surface is Rc, La is the distance from the position where the outer diameter of the inclined surface of the first mold 10 is Rc, as viewed from the first direction, to the contact surface with respect to the first spacer 40. Furthermore, Lc is the distance from the position where the inner diameter of the corner 1e that abuts the inclined surface of the body mold 1 is Rc in the first direction to the contact surface with the first spacer 40.

[0113] Furthermore, in the molding apparatus described above, it is preferable that the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 are made of different materials so that the inclined surface (10d) can slide smoothly against the corner 1e. In addition, it is preferable that the second mold 20 is made of a material with a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the body mold 1 so that the gap between it and the body mold 1 can be reduced during molding. In the embodiment described above, the inclined surface (10d) is frustoconical in shape. This frustoconical shape is preferable because the contact portion becomes circular in the initial contact stage when it makes approximate linear contact with the corner 1e, and suitable sliding is obtained on all contact surfaces. However, other shapes in which the tip tapers as it progresses in the Z-minus direction of the first mold 10 are also acceptable, as long as appropriate sliding is obtained.

[0114] Furthermore, the molding apparatus described above may further include a second spacer 80 positioned at the Z-minus end of the second mold 20 in the embodiment described above. In this case, it is preferable that the thickness te of the second spacer 80 satisfies te = (tc + td) - (ta + tb + tf) ... (Equation 2). In Equation 2, ta is the thickness of the first mold 10 in the direction of the central axis AX1, and tb is the thickness of the second mold 20 in the direction of the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1. Also, tc is the thickness of the body mold 1 in the direction of the central axis AX2, td is the thickness of the first spacer 40 in the first direction, and tf is the thickness of the molded body 30 in the first direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first spacers 40, 41 and the second spacers 80, 81 are detachable from the first mold 10 and the second mold 20, and the body mold 1.

[0115] Furthermore, the thermal expansion coefficients of the first spacers 40 and 41 are preferably smaller than those of at least one of the first mold 10 and the body mold 1, so that the first mold 10 can be moved in the Z-minus direction relative to the corner 1e when the molded body 30 is clamped. In addition, it is preferable that the thermal expansion coefficient αe of the second spacers 80 and 81 satisfies αe = {(αc × tc + αd × td) - (αa × ta + αb × tb)} / te ... (Equation 5). In Equation 5, αa is the thermal expansion coefficient of the first mold 10, αb is the thermal expansion coefficient of the second mold 20, αc is the thermal expansion coefficient of the body mold, and αd is the thermal expansion coefficient of the first spacers 40 and 41. It is preferable that the first spacers 40 and 41 are made of a material with a smaller Young's modulus than the body mold 1 so that the first mold 10 can be easily moved in the Z-minus direction relative to the corner 1e. If the Young's modulus of the first spacers 40 and 41 is small, the change in thickness due to the load will be larger, and it is expected that the movement of the corner 1e in the Z-minus direction will be greater. For the same reason, it is preferable that the second spacers 80 and 81 be detachable from the second mold 20 and the body mold 1 so that they can be changed to ones with different thicknesses.

[0116] As described above, the molding apparatus according to the present invention is a molding apparatus for press molding optical components such as lenses, wherein the first mold 10 has an inclined surface (10d) and the body mold 1 has a corner portion 1e. The inclined surface (10d) is configured such that when the first mold 10 is placed in the molding apparatus, the distance from the central axis decreases as it moves in the direction closer to the body mold 1 in the first direction. The corner portion 1e is formed by two surfaces (the inner circumferential surface of the convex portion 1a and the Z-positive end surface of the convex portion 1a) that extend at different angles relative to the inclined surface (10d) in the body mold 1 and intersect, and is arranged to face the inclined surface (10d) in the first direction. The corner portion 1e is configured to come into contact with the inclined surface (10d) when an optical material (molding material 31) is sandwiched between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20.

[0117] Furthermore, in the molding apparatus described above, the corner portion 1e is configured such that, as the first mold 10 moves closer to the position where it clamps the optical material (molding material 31), the apex of the corner portion 1e first contacts the inclined surface (10d) in a cross-section along the first direction. In addition, the corner portion 1e is elastically deformable by the press load applied to the first mold 10 when the optical material (molding material 31) is press-molded, and the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 are automatically repositioned in a plane perpendicular to the first direction by the stress generated in the corner portion 1e during elastic deformation.

[0118] Furthermore, the present invention may also include a molding method in which a molded body 30 is formed by sandwiching and pressing a molding material 31 between a first mold 10 and a second mold 20. This molding method includes the step of placing a heated and softened molding material 31 between the second mold 20, which is fitted into a cylindrical body mold 1, and the first mold 10. This molding method also includes the step of fitting the first mold 10 into the body mold 1 by moving the first mold 10 in a first direction relative to the placed molding material 31, thereby sandwiching and pressing the molding material 31 between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20. The body mold 1 used in this molding method is provided with a corner portion 1e on the mating surface with the first mold 10, and the first mold 10 is provided with an inclined surface (10d) that contacts the corner portion 1e. In the pressing process described above, the first mold 10 moves while the corner 1e of the body mold 1 is in contact with the inclined surface (10d) of the first mold 10, thereby aligning the central axis AX1 of the first mold 10 with the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1. Furthermore, in this molding method, the contact portion of the body mold 1 with the first mold 10, as viewed from the first direction, is provided in a circular shape (1e) or an arc shape (1e-3f1~3f3).

[0119] In the molding method described above, it is preferable that at least a portion of the corner portion 1e is provided at a position facing the inclined surface (10d) of the first mold 10 in the direction in which the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1 extends. Furthermore, in the molding method described above, it is preferable that a first spacer 40 is placed between the body mold 1 and the first mold 10, and that a predetermined molding pressing load is applied to the first spacer 40 to elastically deform the first spacer 40 in the range of 0.5 μm to 300 μm. Moreover, in the molding method described above, it is preferable that a second spacer 80 is placed at the Z-minus end of the second mold 20. When these spacers are present, it is preferable that the molding method further includes a step of adjusting the contact position between the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 when the first mold 10 is brought into contact with the first spacer 41 by changing the thickness of the first spacer 40. Furthermore, in such a case, it is preferable to further include a step of adjusting the thickness of the molded body 30 by changing the thickness of the second spacer 80.

[0120] Furthermore, in the molding method described above, a second spacer 80 can be placed at the Z-minus end of the second mold 20. In this case, the thickness can be changed by increasing the temperature of the first mold 10, the second mold 20, the body mold 1, the first spacer 40, and the second spacer 80. This change in thickness due to thermal expansion can be used to adjust the contact position between the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 when the first mold 10 is in contact with the first spacer 40, and also to adjust the thickness of the molded body 30. The molding method described above may also include steps to adjust the thickness of the molded body 30 and to adjust the contact position between the first mold 10 and the body mold 1. In this case, the step of adjusting the thickness of the molded body 30 can be performed by changing the thickness by swapping the second spacer 80. The step of adjusting the contact position between the first mold 10 and the body mold 1 can be performed by changing the thickness by applying a pressing load to the first spacer 40.

[0121] Furthermore, the present invention may also be provided with a molding method in which an optical member (30) is formed by sandwiching and pressing an optical material (31) between a first mold 10 and a second mold 20. This molding method includes the step of placing a heated and softened optical material (31) between the second mold 20, which is fitted into a body mold having a fitting portion, and the first mold 10. This molding method may also include the step of fitting the first mold 10 into the body mold 1 by moving the first mold 10 in a first direction relative to the placed optical material (31). After that, an optical member (30) can be formed from the optical material (31) by sandwiching and pressing the optical material (31) between the first mold 10 and the second mold 20. The first mold 10 used in this molding method may be provided with an inclined surface (10d). Preferably, this inclined surface (10d) is configured such that the distance from the central axis decreases as it moves in the direction closer to the body mold 1 in the first direction. Furthermore, the body mold 1 may be provided with a corner portion 1e. This corner portion 1e is formed by two surfaces (the inner circumferential surface of the convex portion 1a and the Z-positive end surface of the convex portion 1a) that extend at different angles relative to the inclined surface (10d) and intersect with respect to the inclined surface (10d), and is provided so as to face the inclined surface (10d) in the first direction. When the first mold 10 is fitted into the body mold 1, the inclined surface (10d) comes into contact with the corner portion 1e, and the stress generated when the inclined surface (10d) elastically deforms the corner portion 1e automatically aligns the central axis AX2 of the body mold 1 with the central axis AX2 of the first mold 10.

[0122] According to the molding apparatus or molding method of one aspect of the present invention described above, when continuously molding and mass-producing optical elements (molded bodies 30), it is possible to reduce the optical axis misalignment of optical elements such as lenses that may occur as a result of this continuous molding.

[0123] As described above, the present invention includes the following configuration and method. (Composition 1) First mold and The second mold, A molding apparatus comprising a body mold into which the first mold and the second mold are fitted, The aforementioned mold body has corners on the mating surface with the first mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface that contacts the corner, When forming a molded body by moving the first mold in a first direction and sandwiching a molding material between the first mold and the second mold, the first mold moves while the corner of the body mold and the inclined surface of the first mold are in contact, thereby aligning the central axis of the first mold with the central axis of the body mold. A molding apparatus in which the contact portion of the corner of the body mold, as viewed from the first direction, with the first mold is provided in a circular or arc shape. (Configuration 2) The molding apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein at least a portion of the corner portion is provided at a position facing the inclined surface of the first mold in the direction in which the central axis of the body mold extends. (Composition 3) The molding apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the corner portion is formed in a cross-section along the central axis of the body mold by the fitting surface and a surface that intersects the fitting surface at a different angle from the inclined surface. (Composition 4) The molding apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the corner portion of the body mold as viewed from the first direction is provided over the inner circumference of the fitting surface of the body mold. (Composition 5) The system further comprises a first spacer positioned between the body mold and the first mold, The molding apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the first spacer is provided to elastically deform when the first mold applies a predetermined pressing load to the first spacer when the first mold is moved in a first direction and the molding material is sandwiched between the first mold and the second mold to form a molded body. (Composition 6) The molding apparatus according to configuration 5, wherein the first spacer is provided to be elastically deformable in the first direction within a range of 0.5 μm to 300 μm. (Composition 7) When the inner diameter of the corner that contacts the inclined surface is Rc, La is the distance from the position where the outer diameter of the inclined surface of the first mold is Rc, as viewed from the first direction, to the contact surface with the first spacer. If Lc is the distance from the position where the inner diameter of the corner that contacts the inclined surface of the body mold in the first direction is Rc to the contact surface with the first spacer, The thickness td of the first spacer is td≦La-Lc A molding apparatus according to configuration 5 that satisfies the requirements. (Composition 8) A molding apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the first mold and the body mold are formed from different materials. (Composition 9) The molding apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the second mold has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the body mold. (Composition 10) The molding apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the inclined surface is frustoconical in shape. (Composition 11) The second mold further comprises a second spacer positioned at the end of the second mold, The thickness of the first mold in the central axis direction is ta, The thickness of the second mold in the central axis direction of the body mold is tb, The thickness of the aforementioned body mold in the central axis direction is tc, The thickness of the first spacer in the first direction is td, When the thickness of the molded body in the first direction is tf, The thickness te of the aforementioned second spacer is te = (tc + td) - (ta + tb + tf) A molding apparatus according to configuration 5 that satisfies the requirements. (Composition 12) The molding apparatus according to configuration 11, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are detachably attached to the first mold and the second mold, and the body mold. (Composition 13) The first spacer has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than at least one of the first mold and the body mold. The thermal expansion coefficient of the first mold is αa, The thermal expansion coefficient of the second mold is αb, The thermal expansion coefficient of the aforementioned body shape is αc. When the thermal expansion coefficient of the first spacer is αd, The thermal expansion coefficient αe of the aforementioned second spacer is αe={(αc×tc+αd×td)-(αa×ta+αb×tb)} / te A molding apparatus according to configuration 11 or 12 that satisfies the requirements. (Composition 14) The first spacer has a lower Young's modulus than the body mold. The molding apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 13, wherein the second spacer is detachably attached to the second mold and the body mold. (Composition 15) First mold and The second mold, The invention comprises a body mold into which the first mold and the second mold are fitted, A molding apparatus for forming an optical member by moving the first mold in a first direction and sandwiching an optical material between the first mold and the second mold, which are fitted into the body mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface whose distance from the central axis decreases as it advances in the direction closer to the body mold in the first direction, A molding apparatus comprising a body mold formed by two surfaces that extend at different angles in the body mold with respect to the inclined surface and intersect, and a corner portion facing the inclined surface in the first direction, which is configured to contact the inclined surface when the optical material is sandwiched between the first mold and the second mold. (Composition 16) The molding apparatus according to configuration 15, wherein the corner is configured such that, as the first mold moves toward a position to clamp the optical material, the apex of the corner first contacts the inclined surface in a cross section along the first direction. (Composition 17) The aforementioned corner portion is elastically deformable by the press load applied to the first mold when the optical material is press-formed, The molding apparatus according to configuration 15 or 16, wherein the first mold and the body mold are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the first direction by the stress generated at the corners during the elastic deformation. (Method 1) A molding method for manufacturing a molded body by sandwiching a molding material between a first mold and a second mold and pressing it, A step of placing the heated and softened molding material between the second mold, which is fitted into a cylindrical body mold, and the first mold, The process includes moving the first mold in a first direction relative to the positioned molding material, thereby inserting the first mold into the body mold, and sandwiching and pressing the molding material between the first mold and the second mold, The aforementioned mold body has corners on the mating surface with the first mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface that contacts the corner, In the pressing step, the first mold moves while the corner portion of the body mold and the inclined surface of the first mold are in contact, thereby aligning the central axis of the first mold with the central axis of the body mold. A molding method in which the contact portion of the first mold with the corner of the body mold as viewed from the first direction is provided in a circular or arc shape. (Method 2) The molding method according to Method 1, wherein at least a portion of the corner portion is provided at a position facing the inclined surface of the first mold in the direction in which the central axis of the body mold extends. (Method 3) A first spacer is placed between the body mold and the first mold. The molding method according to method 1 or 2, further comprising the step of applying a predetermined pressing load to the first spacer to elastically deform the first spacer in the range of 0.5 μm to 300 μm. (Method 4) A second spacer is positioned at the end of the second mold, A step of adjusting the contact position between the first mold and the body mold when the first mold is brought into contact with the first spacer by changing the thickness of the first spacer, The molding method according to method 3, further comprising the step of adjusting the thickness of the molded body by changing the thickness of the second spacer. (Method 5) A second spacer is positioned at the end of the second mold, The molding method according to Method 3, further comprising the step of increasing the temperature of the first mold, the second mold, the body mold, the first spacer, and the second spacer to change the thickness of the first mold, the second mold, the body mold, the first spacer, and the second spacer, thereby adjusting the contact position between the first mold and the body mold when the first mold is in contact with the first spacer, and also adjusting the thickness of the molded body. (Method 6) A second spacer is positioned at the end of the second mold, The process involves adjusting the thickness of the molded body by changing the thickness of the second spacer, The molding method according to method 3, further comprising the step of adjusting the contact position between the first mold and the body mold by applying a pressing load to the first spacer to change its thickness. (Method 7) A molding method for forming an optical component by sandwiching an optical material between a first mold and a second mold and pressing it, A step of placing the heated and softened optical material between the second mold, which is fitted into the body mold, and the first mold, The process includes moving the first mold in a first direction relative to the arranged optical material, thereby inserting the first mold into the body mold, and forming the optical member from the optical material by sandwiching and pressing the optical material between the first mold and the second mold, When the first mold is fitted into the body mold, an inclined surface provided on the first mold, wherein the distance from the central axis decreases as it advances in the direction closer to the body mold in the first direction, is a corner provided on the body mold, formed by two surfaces that extend and intersect the inclined surface at different angles in the body mold, and contacts the corner opposite the inclined surface in the first direction. A molding method wherein the central axis of the body mold and the central axis of the first mold are automatically aligned by the stress generated when the inclined surface elastically deforms the corner portion.

[0124] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments and modifications, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above. Inventions modified to the extent that they do not contradict the spirit of the present disclosure, and inventions equivalent to the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined as appropriate to the extent that they do not contradict the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0125] 1. Body type 1a, 1a-3f... protruding part 1b...Hole 1c...receiving part 1d...Sliding wear part 1e... corner 1h...Non-sliding wear part 1a-3f1, 1a-3f2, 1a-3f3...Protrusion 10. First mold 10a...molding surface 10b...Cylindrical surface 10c...brim 10d...1st axis adjustment section 10f...Non-sliding wear part 20...Second mold 20a...molding surface 20b...Cylindrical section 20cm...brim 30... Molded body 31...molding material 40, 41...First spacer 40a, 41a...butt surface 50...First mold holding member 51... Heater 60...Second mold holding member 61... Heater 70... Power source 80, 81...Second spacer 100...molding equipment AX1...Central axis of the first mold 10 AX2...Central axis of the convex portion 1a of the body type 1

Claims

1. First mold and The second mold, A molding apparatus comprising a body mold into which the first mold and the second mold are fitted, The aforementioned mold body has corners on the mating surface with the first mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface that contacts the corner, When forming a molded body by moving the first mold in a first direction and sandwiching a molding material between the first mold and the second mold, the first mold moves while the corner of the body mold and the inclined surface of the first mold are in contact, thereby aligning the central axis of the first mold with the central axis of the body mold. A molding apparatus in which the contact portion of the corner of the body mold with the first mold, as viewed from the first direction, is provided in a circular or arc shape.

2. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the corner portion is provided at a position facing the inclined surface of the first mold in the direction in which the central axis of the body mold extends.

3. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the corner portion is formed in a cross section along the central axis of the body mold by the fitting surface and a surface that intersects the fitting surface at a different angle from the inclined surface.

4. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the corner portion of the body mold as viewed from the first direction is provided over the inner circumference of the fitting surface of the body mold.

5. The system further comprises a first spacer positioned between the body mold and the first mold, The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first spacer is provided to elastically deform when the first mold applies a predetermined pressing load to the first spacer when the first mold is moved in a first direction and the molding material is sandwiched between the first mold and the second mold to form a molded body.

6. The molding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first spacer is provided to be elastically deformable in the first direction within a range of 0.5 μm or more and 300 μm or less.

7. When the inner diameter of the corner that contacts the inclined surface is Rc, La is the distance from the position where the outer diameter of the inclined surface of the first mold is Rc, as viewed from the first direction, to the contact surface with the first spacer. If Lc is the distance from the position where the inner diameter of the corner that contacts the inclined surface of the body mold in the first direction is Rc to the contact surface with the first spacer, The thickness td of the first spacer is td≦La-Lc A molding apparatus according to claim 5, which satisfies the requirements.

8. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first mold and the body mold are formed from different materials.

9. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second mold has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the body mold.

10. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is frustoconical in shape.

11. The second mold further comprises a second spacer positioned at the end of the second mold, The thickness of the first mold in the central axis direction is ta, The thickness of the second mold in the central axis direction of the body mold is tb, The thickness of the aforementioned body mold in the central axis direction is tc, The thickness of the first spacer in the first direction is td, When the thickness of the molded body in the first direction is tf, The thickness te of the aforementioned second spacer is te=(tc+td)-(ta+tb+tf) A molding apparatus according to claim 5, which satisfies the requirements.

12. The molding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are detachably attached to the first mold and the second mold and the body mold.

13. The first spacer has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than at least one of the first mold and the body mold. The thermal expansion coefficient of the first mold is αa, The thermal expansion coefficient of the second mold is αb, The thermal expansion coefficient of the body is αc. When the thermal expansion coefficient of the first spacer is αd, The thermal expansion coefficient αe of the aforementioned second spacer is αe={(αc×tc+αd×td)−(αa×ta+αb×tb)} / te A molding apparatus according to claim 11, which satisfies the requirements.

14. The first spacer has a lower Young's modulus than the body mold. The molding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second spacer is detachably attached to the second mold and the body mold.

15. First mold and The second mold, The apparatus comprises a body mold into which the first mold and the second mold are fitted, A molding apparatus for forming an optical member by moving the first mold in a first direction and sandwiching an optical material between the first mold and the second mold, which are fitted into the body mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface whose distance from the central axis decreases as it advances in the direction closer to the body mold in the first direction, A molding apparatus comprising a body mold formed by two surfaces that extend at different angles in the body mold with respect to the inclined surface and intersect, and a corner portion facing the inclined surface in the first direction, which is configured to contact the inclined surface when the optical material is sandwiched between the first mold and the second mold.

16. The molding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the corner is configured such that, as the first mold moves toward a position to clamp the optical material, the apex of the corner first contacts the inclined surface in a cross section along the first direction.

17. The aforementioned corner portion is elastically deformable by the press load applied to the first mold when the optical material is press-formed, The molding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first mold and the body mold are positioned in a plane perpendicular to the first direction by the stress generated at the corners during the elastic deformation.

18. A molding method for manufacturing a molded body by sandwiching a molding material between a first mold and a second mold and pressing it, A step of placing the heated and softened molding material between the second mold, which is fitted into a cylindrical body mold, and the first mold, The process includes moving the first mold in a first direction relative to the positioned molding material, thereby inserting the first mold into the body mold, and sandwiching and pressing the molding material between the first mold and the second mold, The aforementioned mold body has corners on the mating surface with the first mold, The first mold is provided with an inclined surface that contacts the corner, In the pressing step, the first mold moves while the corner portion of the body mold and the inclined surface of the first mold are in contact, thereby aligning the central axis of the first mold with the central axis of the body mold. A molding method in which the contact portion of the first mold with the corner of the body mold as viewed from the first direction is provided in a circular or arc shape.

19. The molding method according to claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the corner portion is provided at a position facing the inclined surface of the first mold in the direction in which the central axis of the body mold extends.

20. A first spacer is placed between the body mold and the first mold. The molding method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of applying a predetermined pressing load to the first spacer to elastically deform the first spacer in the range of 0.5 μm to 300 μm.

21. A second spacer is placed at the end of the second mold, A step of adjusting the contact position between the first mold and the body mold when the first mold is brought into contact with the first spacer by changing the thickness of the first spacer, The molding method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of adjusting the thickness of the molded body by changing the thickness of the second spacer.

22. A second spacer is placed at the end of the second mold, The molding method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of increasing the temperature of the first mold, the second mold, the body mold, the first spacer, and the second spacer to change the thickness of the first mold, the second mold, the body mold, the first spacer, and the second spacer, thereby adjusting the contact position between the first mold and the body mold when the first mold is in contact with the first spacer, and also adjusting the thickness of the molded body.

23. A second spacer is placed at the end of the second mold, The process involves adjusting the thickness of the molded body by changing the thickness of the second spacer, The molding method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of adjusting the contact position between the first mold and the body mold by applying a pressing load to the first spacer to change its thickness.

24. A molding method for forming an optical component by sandwiching an optical material between a first mold and a second mold and pressing it, A step of placing the heated and softened optical material between the second mold, which is fitted into the body mold, and the first mold, The process includes moving the first mold in a first direction relative to the arranged optical material, thereby inserting the first mold into the body mold, and forming the optical member from the optical material by sandwiching and pressing the optical material between the first mold and the second mold, When the first mold is fitted into the body mold, an inclined surface provided on the first mold, wherein the distance from the central axis decreases as it advances in the direction closer to the body mold in the first direction, is a corner provided on the body mold, formed by two surfaces that extend and intersect the inclined surface on the body mold at different angles, and contacts the corner opposite the inclined surface in the first direction. A molding method in which the central axis of the body mold and the central axis of the first mold are automatically aligned by the stress generated when the inclined surface elastically deforms the corner.

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