Method for producing resin molded body and press molding apparatus

A method for producing a fiber-reinforced resin molded body in which the fiber-reinforced resin molded body having a three-dimensional shape is produced by press-molding a heated and softened flat molding matrix using a mold, the method sequentially comprising:

• (A) a step that sets the flat molding matrix on a lower mold including a pad in a central portion and mold main bodies on both sides of the pad by mounting a central portion of the flat molding matrix on the pad and causing at least one of both end sides of the flat molding matrix to be supported by at least one support protruding upward from a molding surface of at least one of the mold main bodies;
• (B) a step that brings an upper mold and the lower mold close together to cause the central portion of the flat molding matrix to be sandwiched by the pad and the upper mold;
• (C) a step that brings the upper mold and the lower mold still closer together to reduce an amount of protrusion of the at least one support;
• (D) a step that presses the flat molding matrix by using the lower mold and the upper mold to form the fiber-reinforced resin molded body, wherein
• the pad and the at least one support are vertically movable relative to the mold main bodies,
• the pad is loaded upwards by a spring,
• the pad and the at least one support are vertically movable independent of each other,
• the mold main bodies are provided on a substrate, and
• the at least one support is fixed to an upper surface of the substrate;
• and
• (E) a step that cools the flat molding matrix by using coolant passages provided on a back side of an upper surface of the pad,
• wherein the upper surface of the pad faces the upper mold.