Ultra-Precision Cutting of Roll Die with Micro Lens Arrays for Plastic Film

Patterning vast numbers of micro lenses on a surface increases technical importance to improve characteristics of optical parts such as liquid crystal displays. A cutting method using a diamond tool is examined to make a molding die by which array patterns of many micro lenses are molded. Realizing the cutting procedure, the developed machining system employs a cutting unit actuated by PZT and a synchronous control system of the cutting unit with a NC controller. The present paper investigates machining of micro lenses on the order of 2 kHz, using a piezo-actuated micro cutting unit. Experiments using this unit revealed that it is possible to machine a large number of micro lenses on a molding roll die for plastic film with high precision.