Hot embossing auto-leveling apparatus and method

A hot embossing auto-leveling apparatus, comprising:

• a base having an upper side;
• an upward-acting dual-function spherical air bearing, disposed in an accommodating depression on said upper side of said base, said accommodating depression being connected to an air inlet and to a vacuum port;
• a lower mold, set on said dual-function spherical air bearing;
• an upper mold, placed above and facing said lower mold;
• said upward-acting dual-function spherical air bearing being
• an air-floating spherical air bearing when compressed air is supplied to said air inlet, thereby lifting and allowing said lower mold to achieve accurate pre-alignment with said upper mold;
• and said upward-acting dual-function spherical air bearing being
• a vacuum fixing device when the compressed air supply is removed from said air inlet and a vacuum is applied to said vacuum port,
• wherein said lower mold is fixed in its position of pre-alignment with said upper mold during the pre-alignment process by said vacuum applied to said air bearing without requiring a mechanical assist mechanism for fixing.