Patent ID: 6365073
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29K,B29L,G02B

Abstract:
A method of forming a plurality of prisms in a surface of a methacrylate optic conductor, the method comprising the steps of:selecting an angular width of a light beam to be transmitted from a side of the methacrylate optic conductor opposite a side of the methacrylate optic conductor in which the plurality of prisms are to be formed; determing a first depth and a first length of the plural prisms in the methacrylate optic conductor that will cause the light beam to have the selected angular width when light is conducted through the methacrylate optic conductor; placing the methacrylate optic conductor in a tool-carrying structure that includes a tool that is one of a constant pitch miller for cold cutting the methacrylate optic conductor and a hot-working device for heat embossing the methacrylate optic conductor; moving the tool into the methacrylate optic conductor to create plural notches that each have the first depth, the first length, and a planar surface transverse to a longitudinal axis of the methacrylate optic conductor by controlling movement of the tool with a comparator that determines a distance to which the tool has advanced into the methacrylate optic conductor; and polishing the planar surfaces to form the plural prisms.