Cylindrical master mold assembly for casting cylindrical masks
Aspects of the present disclosure include a cylindrical master mold assembly having a cylindrical patterned component with a first diameter and a sacrificial casting component with a second diameter. The component with the smaller radius may be co-axially inserted into the interior of the component with the larger radius. Patterned features may be formed on the interior surface of the cylindrical patterned component that faces the sacrificial casting component. The sacrificial casting component may be removed once a cast polymer has been cured to allow the polymer to be released. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
1. A method for forming a cylindrical mask configured to have one or more features formed on a surface with a cylindrical master mold assembly, wherein the master mold assembly comprises a cylindrical patterned component having a first radius and a sacrificial casting component having a second radius, wherein the second radius is smaller than the first radius, wherein a surface of the patterned component facing the sacrificial casting component has one or more patterned features, the method comprising:
a) co-axially inserting the sacrificial casting component into the cylindrical patterned component;
b) filling a space between the cylindrical patterned component and the sacrificial casting component with a liquid precursor;
c) curing the liquid precursor to form the elastomeric material; and
d) removing the sacrificial casting component; and
e) pulling the elastomeric material back over itself in a direction parallel to the axis of the patterned component, such that the elastomeric material is removed from the patterned component and is turned inside out.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the sacrificial casting component comprises fracturing the sacrificial casting component.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the sacrificial casting component comprises dissolving the sacrificial casting component with a solvent.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the sacrificial casting component is made from a sugar based material, and wherein the solvent is water.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the sacrificial casting component comprises, plastically deforming the sacrificial casting component.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial casting component is a sealed cylinder, and wherein removing the sacrificial casting component comprises deflating the sacrificial casting component.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the difference between the second radius and the first radius no more than 2 millimeters.