Abstract:
The injection molding apparatus is provided for making highly accurate optical parts having structured reflective or deflecting optical surfaces. The apparatus includes a removable mold insert made of two or more mold insert segments. The mold insert segments are juxtaposed at mating lateral planar surfaces to form a reversed structured surface. The mold insert segments also includes a gas venting circuit having conduits formed when the mold insert segments are juxtaposed. A cooling circuit is provided in the mold insert segments.
Abstract:
The lens is made by injection molding in a mold through the injection of molten plastic material in at least three injection shots using a multistep process. It includes a first outer lens part, a second outer lens part and a lens core part forming an interior of the lens. The lens core part is embedded between the first and second outer lens parts. The lens core part is divided into at least two subparts separated at least partially by at least one elongated slot extending across the lens core part between the first and second surfaces of the lens core part. The slot or slots made through the lens core part are filled and fused with the plastic material of the first outer lens part.
Abstract:
The multistep injection molding device is for manufacturing thick lenses for use with an illumination apparatus. The injection molding device includes two sets of mold core inserts forming mold cavities when the injection molding device is in a closed position. The lens core part is formed in a first injection shot station. The molded lens core part is then moved to a post-molding cooling station in which it is further cooled inside a corresponding mold cavity. Two outer lens parts are formed sequentially over the lens core part in second and third injection shot stations. A method of manufacturing a thick lens is also disclosed.