SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED CASTING OF INFRARED GLASS OPTICAL COMPONENTS

摘要

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for the automated casting of infrared glass optical components is provided. The system includes a mold for casting infrared glass into lenses, a mold chamber operable to heat the mold to a temperature above the melting temperature of the infrared glass, and a casting chamber operable to fill the mold with molten infrared glass. The method includes heating a mold in a mold chamber (70) to a temperature above the melting temperature of infrared glass, casting molten infrared glass into the mold in a casting chamber (71); and cooling the mold to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the infrared glass.