The Filling Ratio and Surface Roughness Evolution of Glass Array Lens in Precision Glass Molding

An optical glass array lens is an optical element arranged periodically to achieve imaging, light equalization, focusing, diffusion, collimation, sensing, and other functions. Precision glass molding offers high production efficiency, simple operation, high replication resolution, and low batch cost, which make it an effective method for the fabrication of glass array lenses. This study used D-K9 optical glass to research the precision molding of ring array lenses. The effects of varying molding temperatures, pressures, and times on the evolution of filling ratio and surface roughness (Sa) were investigated. Stress evolution and residual stress distribution in the lens during the glass molding process were studied via numerical simulation. The results indicate that molding temperature and molding pressure played crucial roles in determining the filling ratio and surface quality of the molded glass lens. At molding conditions of 590 °C/1 kN/30 s, the filling ratios and Sa of the molded glass ring array were approximately 99.5% and 11 nm, respectively. The maximum residual stress was observed near the surface edge of the molded glass array lens. This work provides effective guidance for the fabrication of glass array lenses.