This book highlights the tools and processes used to produce high-quality glass molded optics using commercially available equipment. Combining scientific data with easy-to-understand explanations of specific molding issues and general industry information based on firsthand studies and experimentation, it provides useful formulas for readers involved in developing develop in-house molding capabilities, or those who supply molded glass optics.

Many of the techniques described are based on insights gained from industry and research over the past 50 years, and can easily be applied by anyone familiar with glass molding or optics manufacturing. There is an abundance of information from around the globe, but knowledge comes from the application of information, and there is no knowledge without experience. This book provides readers with information, to allow them to gain knowledge and achieve success in their glass molding endeavors.

Autorentext

Jayson J. Nelson has been working in optics and related industries for over 40 years. His training in precision molding technology began at Eastman Kodak Company, where he was privileged to learn from technical staff that had been developing molding processes for several decades.

He has been directly involved in the development of precision lens molding capability for visible and infrared applications and has over 20 years' experience with molding technology. His current research focuses on controlling momentum transfer, stress relaxation techniques, surface healing, and the formation of intricate molded surfaces. Jayson holds a B.S. in Physics from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is the author of eight US Patents and several publications. He is on the board of OEOSC, a member of SPIE and OSA, an adjunct Research Professor at the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences, and President of J&T Molding Solutions, LLC.

Inhalt

· Glass Molding Overview

o History

o Principle of Operation

o Equipment

o Process Developments

o Applications

o Types of Optical Surfaces

o Preform Types and Manufacture

o Process Capabilities / Tolerances

· Tools for Molding of Precision Surfaces

o Traditional Tool Materials

o Tools for Low Temperature Applications

o Optical Surface Fabrication

o Die Plate / Mold Die / Transfer Plate

o Sleeve Molding

o Temperature Sensing

o Low Cost Tooling

· Tool Compensation Considerations

o Tool design

o Fundamental Equations

o Fourier Analysis (from RPI notes)

o Application to Tool Design (also bulk CTE considerations, J.Pulver notes)

o Spherical and Aspheric Surfaces

o Diffractive Surfaces (radial & height)

· Tool Coatings

o Chemical Interactions

o Release Coatings

o Protective Coatings

o Coated Preforms

· Moldable Glasses

o Chemical Composition / needs

o Oxides

o Infrared Materials

o Index Drop

o Special Handling

· Crystallization Kinetics

o Crystallization

o Nucleation and Growth

o Glass Formation

· Molding Processes

o Vacuum Molding

o Finished Lens Molding

o Free Diameter Molding

o Sleeve Molding

o Constant Flow Molding

o Stress Relaxation

o Insert Molding