Temperature Optimization in Multi-station Molding of Aspheric Positive Meniscus Glass Lens

ZHOU Jian, FANG Dongsheng, HUANG Baocheng

Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (5) : 200-215.

PDF(20855 KB)
PDF(20855 KB)
Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (5) : 200-215. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.019
Refractory Metal Forming

Temperature Optimization in Multi-station Molding of Aspheric Positive Meniscus Glass Lens

  • ZHOU Jian*, FANG Dongsheng, HUANG Baocheng
Author information +
History +

Abstract

The work aims to investigate the optimization scheme of temperature parameters in the multi-station glass molding process with a typical positive meniscus aspheric lens as an example. A finite element simulation model tailored for a seven-station molding process was developed to analyze the thermal coupling relationships among stations and generate a scientifically valid temperature dataset. The effects of temperature parameters during the heating, molding, and cooling stages on the final lens forming quality were systematically investigated. Temperature optimization was then carried out based on the identified mechanisms. In the heating and molding stages, the molding temperature played a decisive role in determining the forming integrity of the lens. For P-SK57 glass, the minimum effective molding temperature was identified as 575 ℃, while an increase to 585 ℃ enhanced flexibility in temperature regulation. To avoid excessive thermal stress during the heating stage, the heating temperature of the first station should be maintained below 415 ℃. The temperature of the second station must exceed the glass transition temperature to effectively reduce internal stress during molding, while the third station required coordinated control with the preceding stations to ensure optimal forming outcomes. During cooling, the first station temperature should be kept below the glass transition point (493 ℃) but not lower than 455 ℃, to facilitate the release of high-temperature stress. The temperature of the second cooling station should be controlled between 245 ℃ and 325 ℃ to prevent excessive residual stress caused by rapid cooling. This study reveals the influence mechanism of temperature parameters on lens forming quality during the multi-station molding process and determines the optimal temperature ranges for each station, thereby providing theoretical guidance and process references for ensuring high-quality lens forming.

Key words

multi-station glass molding / temperature optimization / forming ratio / residual stress / viscoelasticity

Cite this article

Download Citations
ZHOU Jian, FANG Dongsheng, HUANG Baocheng. Temperature Optimization in Multi-station Molding of Aspheric Positive Meniscus Glass Lens[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(5): 200-215 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.019

References

[1] YI A Y, JAIN A.Compression Molding of Aspherical Glass Lenses-A Combined Experimental and Numerical Analysis[J]. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2005, 88(3): 579-586.
[2] SHU C S, YIN S H, LI Y Q, et al.High-Precision Molding Simulation Prediction of Glass Lens Profile for a New Lanthanide Optical Glass[J]. Ceramics International, 2022, 48(11): 15800-15810.
[3] ZHANG L, YI A Y, YAN J W.Flexible Fabrication of Fresnel Micro-Lens Array by Off-Spindle-Axis Diamond Turning and Precision Glass Molding[J]. Precision Engineering, 2022, 74: 186-194.
[4] ZHOU T F, ZENG Z H, YU Q, et al.Study on Gas Trapping during Precision Glass Molding of Microlens Array in a Nitrogen Atmosphere[J]. International Journal of Applied Glass Science, 2023, 14(3): 435-444.
[5] ZHU T, LI K S, GONG F.Advances in Hot Embossing Technology for Optical Glass Micro-Nanostructures: A Review[J]. Precision Engineering, 2025, 92: 141-166.
[6] WACHTEL P, MOSADDEGH P, GLEASON B, et al.Performance Evaluation of a Bench-Top Precision Glass Molding Machine[J]. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2013, 5: 178680.
[7] SYMMONS A, SCHAUB M.Field Guide to Molded Optics[M]. Bellingham: SPIE Press, 2016.
[8] ITO H, ARAI M, KODERA T, et al.Numerical Simulation and Press Molding of Glass Micro Devices[J]. Journal of Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering, 2010, 4(11): 1615-1626.
[9] ZHOU T F, YAN J W, MASUDA J, et al.Investigation on Shape Transferability in Ultraprecision Glass Molding Press for Microgrooves[J]. Precision Engineering, 2011, 35(2): 214-220.
[10] PARK J, CHANG S, LEE D, et al.Two-Step Glass Molding Process for Forming Glass Edges with Obtuse Angles for Mobile Displays[J]. Micromachines, 2022, 13(7): 103.
[11] VU A T, KREILKAMP H, DAMBON O, et al.Nonisothermal Glass Molding for the Cost-Efficient Production of Precision Freeform Optics[J]. Optical Engineering, 2016, 55(7): 071207.
[12] FU H, XUE C X, LIU Y, et al.Prediction Model of Residual Stress during Precision Glass Molding of Optical Lenses[J]. Applied Optics, 2022, 61(5): 1194.
[13] YANG G, LI J Z, LIU J S, et al.Multi-Objective Optimization of Hot Embossing Process for High-Quality Glass Micro Gratings[J]. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 2024, 374: 115482.
[14] CHA D H, KIM H J, PARK H S, et al.Effect of Temperature on the Molding of Chalcogenide Glass Lenses for Infrared Imaging Applications[J]. Applied Optics, 2010, 49(9): 1607-1613.
[15] HE W B, CHEN Z J, MING W Y, et al.Multi-Objective Optimization of Glass Multi-Station Bending Machining for Smartphone Curved Screen[J]. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering, 2019, 41(11): 476.
[16] HONG J H, HONG J T, JUNG D Y, et al.A Study on Temperature and Stress Distribution in a Lens under Multi-Stage Cooling Conditions in Progressive Glass Molding Processes[J]. Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering, 2025, 42(2): 157-168.
[17] ANANTHASAYANAM B, JOSEPH P F, JOSHI D, et al.Final Shape of Precision Molded Optics: Part I—Computational Approach, Material Definitions and the Effect of Lens Shape[J]. Journal of Thermal Stresses, 2012, 35(6): 550-578.
[18] 周小勇. 单工位模压机床设计及硫系玻璃模压成形试验研究[D]. 长沙: 湖南大学, 2016: 44-45.
ZHOU X Y.Design of One-Step GMP Machine and Experimental Study on Molding Press of Chalcogenide Glass Lenses[D]. Changsha: Hunan University, 2016: 44-45.
[19] SARHADI A, HATTEL J H, HANSEN H N, et al.Thermal Modelling of the Multi-Stage Heating System with Variable Boundary Conditions in the Wafer Based Precision Glass Moulding Process[J]. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2012, 212(8): 1771-1779.
[20] ZHOU J, HE P, YU J F, et al.Investigation on the Friction Coefficient between Graphene-Coated Silicon and Glass Using Barrel Compression Test[J]. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, 2015, 33(3): 031213.
[21] SCHERER G W.Relaxation in Glass and Composites[M]. New York: Wiley, 1986.
[22] WILLIAMS M L, LANDEL R F, FERRY J D.The Temperature Dependence of Relaxation Mechanisms in Amorphous Polymers and Other Glass-Forming Liquids[J]. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1955, 77(14): 3701-3707.
[23] NARAYANASWAMY O S.A Model of Structural Relaxation in Glass[J]. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 1971, 54(10): 491-498.
[24] PALLICITY T D, VU A T, RAMESH K, et al.Birefringence Measurement for Validation of Simulation of Precision Glass Molding Process[J]. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2017, 100(10): 4680-4698.
[25] LI L K, HE P, WANG F, et al.A Hybrid Polymer-Glass Achromatic Microlens Array Fabricated by Compression[J]. Journal of Optics, 2011, 13(5): 055407.
[26] SHACKELFORD J F, DOREMUS R H.Ceramic and Glass Materials[M]. New York: Springer, 2008.
[27] ANANTHASAYANAM B, JOSEPH P F, JOSHI D, et al.Final Shape of Precision Molded Optics: Part II—Validation and Sensitivity to Material Properties and Process Parameters[J]. Journal of Thermal Stresses, 2012, 35(7): 614-636.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (52375179, 51905141); Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (JZ2021HGTB0086)
PDF(20855 KB)

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/