Investigation on shape transferability in ultraprecision glass molding press for microgrooves

Glass molding press (GMP) has been applied to produce the microgrooves on glass plates by using electroless-plated nickel phosphorus (Ni-P) molds. The GMP process for microgrooves was analyzed by finite element method (FEM) simulation. The effects of various pressing conditions, such as the molding temperature, the pressing velocity and the friction in glass deformation, were studied. Then, based on the simulation results, optimal pressing conditions were determined and used in the GMP experiments. By comparing the shape of the molded microgrooves with that of the corresponding microgrooves on the Ni-P mold, the shape transferability was evaluated and the reasons for form error were analyzed. The results show that the GMP process is an effective way to fabricate precision microgrooves on glass. (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.