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Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter July 26, 2016

Precision injection molding of freeform optics

  • Fengzhou Fang

    Fengzhou Fang, a professor from Tianjin University in China, has been working in the field of manufacturing since graduating from college in 1982. His research interests are in the areas of micro/nano machining, medical devices manufacturing, and optical freeform manufacturing. Dr. Fang is a fellow of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), the International Society for Nanomanufacturing (ISNM), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He is the president of ISNM, a council member of CIRP, the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Nanomanufacturing (IJNM), and a recipient of SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award.

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    , Nan Zhang

    Nan Zhang is an Associate Professor from Tianjin University in China. He was awarded his PhD at 2013 from University College Dublin, Ireland. He jointed in Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT) at Tianjin University in 2015. His research interests include precision injection molding, micro/nano injection molding, prototyping and manufacturing polymeric microfluidic devices and manufacturing micro/nano tools.

    and Xiaodong Zhang

    Xiaodong Zhang is an Associate Professor from Tianjin University in China. He received his PhD in Measurement Science and Technology from Tianjin University in 2007. He has been the head of ‘Ultra-precision machining and freeform optics manufacture’ group at Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT) since 2008. His research interests include diamond machining, optical metrology, and applications of complex optical surfaces.

Abstract

Precision injection molding is the most efficient mass production technology for manufacturing plastic optics. Applications of plastic optics in field of imaging, illumination, and concentration demonstrate a variety of complex surface forms, developing from conventional plano and spherical surfaces to aspheric and freeform surfaces. It requires high optical quality with high form accuracy and lower residual stresses, which challenges both optical tool inserts machining and precision injection molding process. The present paper reviews recent progress in mold tool machining and precision injection molding, with more emphasis on precision injection molding. The challenges and future development trend are also discussed.

About the authors

Fengzhou Fang

Fengzhou Fang, a professor from Tianjin University in China, has been working in the field of manufacturing since graduating from college in 1982. His research interests are in the areas of micro/nano machining, medical devices manufacturing, and optical freeform manufacturing. Dr. Fang is a fellow of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), the International Society for Nanomanufacturing (ISNM), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He is the president of ISNM, a council member of CIRP, the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Nanomanufacturing (IJNM), and a recipient of SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award.

Nan Zhang

Nan Zhang is an Associate Professor from Tianjin University in China. He was awarded his PhD at 2013 from University College Dublin, Ireland. He jointed in Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT) at Tianjin University in 2015. His research interests include precision injection molding, micro/nano injection molding, prototyping and manufacturing polymeric microfluidic devices and manufacturing micro/nano tools.

Xiaodong Zhang

Xiaodong Zhang is an Associate Professor from Tianjin University in China. He received his PhD in Measurement Science and Technology from Tianjin University in 2007. He has been the head of ‘Ultra-precision machining and freeform optics manufacture’ group at Centre of MicroNano Manufacturing Technology (MNMT) since 2008. His research interests include diamond machining, optical metrology, and applications of complex optical surfaces.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mr. Y. W Guo and Mr. Y. B Lu for their support on diamond machining and injection molding of plastic optics. Acknowledgments are extended to the support of the National Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 51320105009 and 91423101) and the ‘111’ project by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs and the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. B07014).

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Received: 2016-5-16
Accepted: 2016-6-21
Published Online: 2016-7-26
Published in Print: 2016-8-1

©2016 THOSS Media & De Gruyter

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