Machine for molding optical element and method of producing the optical element by using the machine.

摘要

A machine for molding an optical element by using a molding block having upper and lower molding dies, a sleeve die and a glass blank combined integrally with each other, comprising: a chamber which accommodates a heating zone of a plurality of sections for heating the molding block from above and below, a deformation zone for pressing the molding dies and a cooling zone of a plurality of sections for cooling the molding block and is formed with an inlet and an outlet for the molding block; the sections of the heating zone, the deformation zone and the sections of the cooling zone being provided independently of one another; a transport member for sequentially transporting the molding block through the heating zone, the deformation zone and the cooling zone; first and second shutters for opening and closing the inlet and the outlet, respectively; and a gas supply member for introducing nonoxidizing gas into the chamber, and a method of producing the optical element by using the machine. <IMAGE>