Apparatus for molding microsystem structures

• US 5,993,189 A
• Filed: 10/20/1997
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jenoptik AG
• Original Assignee: Jenoptik AG
• Inventors: Heckele, Matthias, Biedermann, Hans, Mueller, Lutz, Springer, Alf, Reuther, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Pyon, Harold
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wentink, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US08/954,714
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 425/405.1, 425/546, 425/812, 425/73, 425/385, 425/DIG. 60
• US Class Current: 425/405.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/025 forming a microstructure, i.e. fine patterning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/561 under vacuum conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2059/023 Microembossing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/006 Using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/003 characterised by the choice of material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/021 characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/32 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/56 Compression moulding under special conditions, e.g. vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/02 by mechanical means, e.g. pressing B29C59/007 takes precedence; embossing expanded porous articles B29C44/5627
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/06 Vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/812 Venting

Abstract

The apparatus and process to compensate for variations in thickness of molding tools and of moldable materials used in an embossing process to be carried out under a vacuum, while ensuring high dimensional stability, and to ensure different molding depths. For achieving this object, a chamber is employed having a pair of oppositely lying chamber parts, of which one is fixed to the framework and the other is adjustable, having side walls which comprise an inner part and an outer part. The inner part is fastened to the fixed chamber part and the outer part, on the outwardly facing end face to of which the adjustable chamber part comes to bear against the force of a spring during the closing of the chamber, is displaceable along guide elements on the fixed chamber part between two stops. Within the chamber there takes place a setting of atmospheric conditions and of temperature conditions at points in time of the closing of the chamber at which an increase in a force acting on the fixed chamber part reaches predetermined values. Apparatus and processes employing such chamber are used in the production of microsystem components

Claims

1. In an apparatus for molding microsystem structures having a pair of oppositely lying chamber parts of a closable chamber, which serve as carriers for receiving an embossing tool and a moldable material, and of which one chamber part is fixed to a frame and the other is guided adjustably in said frame, an improvement comprising that:

said chamber has side walls which are separated into an inner wall part and an outer wall part,

said inner wall part and said outer wall part both being supported by said fixed chamber part;

said outer wall part has an outwardly facing axial end face on which the adjustable chamber part comes to bear against the force of a spring during closing of said chamber, and is movable relative to the inner wall part and displaceable in an adjustable direction towards and away from said fixed chamber part;

guide elements mounted on the fixed chamber part for guiding the displacement of said outer wall part in said adjustment direction between two stops, a first of which determining a maximal and the second of which determining a minimal distance between said outer wall part and said fixed chamber part, said guide elements also forming said first stop,

said inner wall part is formed by a first cylindrical flange, and

said outer wall part is formed by a second cylindrical flange enclosing the first cylindrical flange with an inner lateral surface and has a radial widening being provided with through bores, with said guide elements extending through said through bores which serve as a guide for said outer wall part during displacement.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first cylindrical flange comprises a widening portion which is fastened to the fixed chamber part and contains in a groove a round ring for sealing with respect to said fixed chamber part.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second cylindrical flange includes a square sealing ring located on said inner lateral surface, said square sealing ring establishing a vacuum-tight sliding connection between said first flange and said second flange.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising heat insulators located adjacent said chamber for preventing heat loss from said chamber.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein further comprising insulating plates fitted on outwardly facing sides of the chamber parts and heat-reflective annular plates located within the chamber for reducing lateral heat radiation.