WO2004083135A1

WO2004083135A1 - Glass optical element molding device

Info

Publication number: WO2004083135A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/003513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satoshi Kurihara; Akiyoshi Shibasaki; Tadashi Horikawa; Keiichi Morishima
Original assignee: Nikon Corporation
Priority date: 2003-03-17
Filing date: 2004-03-17
Publication date: 2004-09-30
Also published as: TW200424138A

Abstract

A glass optical element molding device (1) according to the invention comprises a molding chamber (40) for pressure molding a glass raw material by a mold (10) by pressing the glass raw material while heating the mold (10) with the glass raw material contained therein, and a transfer device (60) capable of carrying the mold (10) carried into a predetermined carry-in position (II) to a predetermined supply position (III) where the mold (10) is supplied from the predetermined carry-in position (II) into the molding chamber (40) and capable of carrying the mold (10) pressed while being heated in the molding chamber (40) from the predetermined supply position (III) to a predetermined carry-out position (VI) from which the mold (10) is carried out, wherein the molding chamber (40) is disposed at a position different from any position on its installation line or extension of the transfer device (60).

Description

Akira Itoda Glass optical element molding equipment Technical field

The present invention relates to a glass optical element forming apparatus for manufacturing a glass optical element used for optical equipment by heating and press forming a glass material, and more particularly, to a glass mold containing a glass material. The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming a glass optical element. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a press-formed glass optical element. Background art

In order to manufacture glass optical elements used in optical equipment without post-processing such as polishing, the glass material is put into a mold and heated, and the heated and softened glass material is pressed by the mold ( A glass optical element forming apparatus that presses (presses) and forms a glass optical element by pressing is devised.

The glass optical element molding equipment includes a method in which a glass material is transported to a molding die fixed in the device to heat, press (press) mold, and cool the glass optical element. There is a method in which the glass optical element is conveyed inside, heated, pressed (pressed), and cooled to form a glass optical element. As a method of transporting the mold containing the glass material into the apparatus, for example, the mold is linearly transported in a chamber in an inert gas atmosphere (hereinafter, referred to as a transport chamber), and heated and pressed. (Pressing) and cooling (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-53331), or a method in which a mold is conveyed in an arc and heated, pressed (pressed), and cooled (for example, Fairness 7—2 9 7 7 9) ing.

By the way, in recent years, glass aspherical lenses have been required to be smaller and more accurate, but there are many demands for high-precision glass aspherical lenses having a medium aperture (about 15 to 4 O mm). When a medium-diameter glass lens is molded by a glass optical element molding device that transports the molding die into the device, the dimensions of the molding die become approximately 50 mm, and the glass lens can be formed without increasing the tact time. In order to perform molding, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the heater used to heat the mold (glass material).

However, in a conventional glass-optical-element forming apparatus (in which the mold is transported into the apparatus), apparatuses for heating, pressing (pressing), and cooling the mold are continuously arranged horizontally in the transport chamber. As the heat capacity increases, the dimensions of the heat increase. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the size of the transfer chamber provided with the light source (ie, the device used for heating the mold), and the size of the device becomes large. In addition, it is necessary to fill (replace) the transfer chamber with an inert gas (eg, nitrogen) in order to prevent oxidation of the mold, and the use of the inert gas increases when the transfer chamber becomes large. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to reduce the size of a glass optical element molding apparatus.

In order to achieve such an object, the glass optical element forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a molding apparatus in which a glass material is internally pressed and heated while being pressed to form the glass material by a forming die. The mold and the mold loaded into the predetermined loading position are transported from the predetermined loading position to a predetermined supply position where the mold is supplied into the molding chamber, and the mold pressed while heating in the molding chamber is formed from the predetermined supply position. And a transfer device that can be transferred to a predetermined unloading position where the mold is unloaded. It is characterized in that it is provided at a different position from where the transport device is laid and its extension.

The glass optical element molding apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the molding die that has reached the predetermined supply position is detached from the transfer device and faces the predetermined supply position. A molding chamber transfer device that can reciprocate into the molding chamber through the communication opening of the formed molding room is provided. The molding room transfer device moves the mold that has reached the specified supply position in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer device. It is provided so as to reciprocate into the molding chamber.

The glass optical element molding device according to the invention according to claim 3 is the glass optical element molding device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the transport device is provided in the transport chamber, and the first drive device drives the transport device. And a second driving device for driving the molding chamber transport device is provided in the molding chamber transport device, and at least one of the first drive device and the second drive device is provided outside the molding chamber and the transport chamber. It is characterized by being provided in a position.

The glass optical element molding apparatus according to the invention according to claim 4 is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a part of the transport device is included, and the molding die is positioned at a predetermined loading position. A transfer chamber forming a space movable between the predetermined supply position and the predetermined unloading position, and a transfer chamber connected to the transfer chamber via a transfer chamber communication port formed to face the predetermined transfer position of the transfer chamber. The transfer chamber is provided via a loading chamber for loading the molding die into the transfer chamber from the outside and a transfer chamber communication port formed to face a predetermined discharge position of the transfer chamber. An unloading chamber for unloading the mold from the transfer chamber to the outside, and a transfer chamber transfer device capable of transferring the mold from the outside into the transfer chamber to the specified transfer position in the transfer chamber through the transfer chamber communication port. And a predetermined unloading position of the transfer chamber by the transfer device The transfer device is characterized in that it is provided with an unloading-room transfer device capable of removing the mold having reached the setting position from the transfer device and transferring the formed mold through the unloading-room communication port into the unloading room. The glass optical element molding apparatus according to the invention according to claim 5 is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer chamber is provided via a transfer chamber communication port formed to face a predetermined transfer position of the transfer chamber. A loading chamber for loading the mold into the transport chamber from the outside, and a transport chamber connected to the transport chamber via a discharge port communicating with a predetermined discharge position of the transport chamber. A transfer chamber for transferring the molding dies out of the transfer chamber to the outside, and a transfer yard for transferring the molding dies transferred from the outside into the loading chamber to a predetermined loading position in the transfer chamber through the communication opening of the loading chamber. A chamber transfer device, and an unloading-room transfer device capable of removing the mold that has reached the predetermined unloading position in the transfer chamber by the transfer device, and transferring the mold into the unloading room through the unloading-room communication port. It is characterized by the following.

The glass optical element molding apparatus according to the invention according to claim 6 is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the loading chamber is configured such that a molding die loaded into the loading chamber is transported by the loading chamber transport device. The transfer chamber is provided so as to be transported to the specified loading position of the transfer chamber in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer device. It is provided so that it may be conveyed at right angles to the carry-out room. The glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 7 is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a cooling device capable of cooling a molding die is provided in the transfer chamber. It is characterized by having.

The glass optical element molding apparatus according to the invention according to claim 8 is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating unit capable of heating the surroundings of the molding die in the molding chamber. The heating unit is provided so that it can be divided, and the divided heating unit can be moved and taken out of the molding chamber.

The glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 9 is the glass optical element molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein In addition, a plurality of straight tubes are arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle surrounding the mold.

A method for manufacturing a glass optical element according to the invention according to claim 10, wherein the mold in which the glass material is disposed is transferred to a molding chamber, and heat and pressure are applied to the mold in the molding chamber. Forming a glass material in a predetermined shape, and placing the glass material in the mold in the method of manufacturing a glass optical element having desired optical characteristics. A first transfer step of transferring the mold to a position at which the mold can be introduced into the molding chamber; a molding chamber introduction step of transferring the mold from the position at which the mold can be introduced to the molding chamber to the molding chamber; In addition, a molding step of heating to a predetermined temperature and applying a predetermined pressure in a predetermined direction, and an unloading step of unloading the mold after the completion of the molding step are sequentially performed.

The method for manufacturing a glass optical element according to claim 11 is the manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein a transport direction in the transport step is substantially horizontal. The transfer direction of the mold in the chamber introducing step is an upward direction with respect to the transfer direction in the transfer step. According to the present invention, the installation area of the glass optical element molding device * can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding device can be reduced. Further, according to the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view (cross-sectional view) of a glass optical element molding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of a transfer chamber included in the glass optical element forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view of a molding chamber included in the glass optical element molding apparatus. Fig. 4 (a) is a plan view of a molding die included in the glass optical element molding device. Fig. 4 (b) is a front view (cross-sectional view) of the mold.

FIG. 5 is a front view (cross-sectional view) showing a second embodiment of the glass optical element molding apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a heating device included in the glass optical element forming device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a process in which the heating section of the heating device is divided and taken out of the forming chamber in a time series in the order of (a) to (c).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing an optical element according to the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a glass optical element molding apparatus according to the present invention. The glass optical element molding apparatus 1 includes a molding die 10 capable of press-molding a glass material, a carry-in room 20 and a carry-out room 50 provided on a base 2, a carry-in room 20 and a carry-out room 50. It is mainly composed of a transfer chamber 30 connected to the upper part and a molding chamber 40 connected to the upper part of the transfer chamber 30.

The glass optical element forming apparatus 1 includes an indoor transfer apparatus 60 provided in the transfer chamber 30, and a transfer chamber transfer apparatus 70 provided across the transfer chamber 20 and the transfer chamber 30. A forming chamber transfer device 75 provided across the transfer chamber 30 and the forming room 40; an unloading room transfer device 80 provided across the transfer chamber 30 and the unloading room 50; The apparatus is provided with a first cooling device 85 and a second cooling device 90 for cooling the mold 10. The indoor transfer device 60 is the transfer device in the present invention. ·

As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the molding die 10 includes an upper molding die 12 located above the glass material 11 to be molded, and a lower molding die located below the glass material 11 1. Sleeve that can be mated with mold 13 and upper mold 1 2 and lower mold 1 3 14 and a transfer table 15 on which these are placed. The sleeve 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can be fitted to the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13, and the lower mold 13, the glass material 11, and the upper mold 12 are arranged in this order. Are inserted into the sleeve 14 so that the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 13 can move up and down along the inner wall of the sleep 14.

On both sides of the transfer table 15, recesses 15 a, 15 a capable of engaging with the fingers 62, 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 provided in the transfer chamber 30 are formed. Then, the fingers 62, 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 are engaged with the recesses 15a, 15a of the transfer table 15, and the transfer table 15 is held between the fingers 62, 62. The mold 10 (transfer table 15) is conveyed in the transfer chamber 30 by the indoor transfer device 60.

A thermocouple insertion hole 12a is formed in the upper mold 12 and the temperature of the upper mold 12 is measured by inserting a thermocouple 47 into the thermocouple insertion hole 12a. You can do it. The lower molding die 13 is also provided with an insertion hole (not shown) similar to that of the upper molding die 12, and the carrier 15 is provided with a through hole (not shown) that communicates with the insertion hole. And a thermocouple may be inserted into the through hole and the insertion hole so that the temperature of the lower mold 13 can be measured. The loading chamber 20 is formed in a rectangular box shape at the upper end of one side of the pace 2. At the upper part of the side wall of the carry-in room 20, a carry-in room gas introduction part 21 is provided, so that inert gas (for example, nitrogen) is supplied into the carry-in room 20. On the other hand, in the lower part of the side wall of the carry-in room 20, a carry-in room gas discharge part 22 is provided so as to be connected to the vacuum pump 25. Is discharged to the outside.

In the lower bottom portion (pace 2) of the loading room 20, a loading shaft passage hole 23 is formed, so that the loading shaft 71 of the loading room transfer device 70 passes therethrough. The carry-in shaft packing 23 a is in sliding contact with the carry-in shaft 71 in the carry-in shaft passage hole 23. The inside of the loading room 20 is kept airtight (to the outside).

A front door (not shown) is provided on the front side of the loading room 20. When the loading room front door is opened to open the inside of the loading room 20 to the outside, a worker may use the door. Using a hand or an automatic loading machine (not shown), the mold 10 is loaded (taken) from outside into the loading location I of the loading chamber 20. Usually, the front door of the carry-in room is closed, and the inside of the carry-in room 20 is closed (closed) to the outside.

The transfer chamber 30 is formed in a rectangular box shape over the carry-in chamber 20 and the carry-out chamber 50. A transfer chamber communication port 31 is formed at a lower portion of one end of the transfer chamber 30 (a position facing the transfer position II in FIG. 1), and the transfer chamber 30 is connected to the transfer chamber 30 through the transfer chamber communication port 31. The carry-in chamber 20 communicates with the mold 10 and the carry-in shaft 71 of the carry-in chamber transfer device 70. At the lower end of one end of the transfer chamber 30, a carry-in lid 26 for closing the carry-in chamber communication port 31 is provided so that the carry-in lid 26 swings around a carry-in lid shaft 27. I'm in love. On the lower surface side of the loading lid 26, a loading lid packing 28 is provided so as to be aligned with the outer peripheral portion of the loading chamber communication port 31.The loading lid 26 is closed and the loading chamber communication port 31 is opened. When closing, the airtightness (with respect to the loading chamber 20) in the transfer chamber 30 is maintained.

A forming chamber communication port 32 is formed in the upper center of the transfer chamber 30 (a position opposite to the supply position III in FIG. 1), and the transfer chamber 30 is formed via the forming chamber communication port 32. The mold 40 and the supply shaft 76 of the molding chamber carrying device 75 pass through while communicating with the chamber 40. In the molding chamber communication port 32, a first supply shaft packing 32a is provided so as to be in sliding contact with the supply shaft 76, and when the supply shaft 76 passes through the molding chamber communication port 32, The airtightness (with respect to the transport chamber 30) in the molding chamber 40 is maintained. An unloading chamber communication port 33 is formed at the lower end on the other end side of the transfer chamber 30 (a position facing the unloading position VI in FIG. 1), and the transfer chamber 30 is connected to the transfer chamber 30 through the unloading chamber communication port 33. The unloading chamber 50 communicates with the molding die 10 and the unloading shaft 81 of the unloading chamber transfer device 80. An unloading lid 56 closing the unloading chamber communication port 33 is provided at the lower end of the other end of the transfer chamber 30.The unloading lid 56 swings open and close around the unloading lid shaft 57. It has become. On the lower surface side of the carry-out cover 56, a carry-out cover packing 58 is provided so as to be aligned with the outer periphery of the carry-out room communication port 33, and the carry-out cover 56 is closed to close the carry-out chamber communication port 33. Sometimes, the airtightness (with respect to the unloading chamber 50) in the transfer chamber 30 is maintained.

A transfer chamber gas introduction section 34 is provided above one side of the transfer chamber 30 so that an inert gas (for example, nitrogen) is supplied into the transfer chamber 30. On the other hand, a transfer chamber gas discharge section 35 is provided above the other side of the transfer chamber 30. The gas supply amount in the transfer chamber gas introduction section 34 and the gas discharge in the transfer chamber gas discharge section 35 are provided. By adjusting the amount of each, the inert gas can be supplied to replace the air in the transfer chamber 30 with the inert gas. A ball screw passage hole 36 is formed below the other side of the transfer chamber 30 so that the ball screw 61 of the indoor transfer device 60 passes therethrough. In the ball screw passage hole 36, a ball screw packing 36a is provided so as to be in sliding contact with the ball screw 61, so that the airtightness (to the outside) in the transfer chamber 30 is maintained. ing.

A supply shaft passage hole 37 is formed in the lower center of the transfer chamber 30 so that the supply shaft 76 of the forming chamber transfer device 75 can pass therethrough. In addition, the second supply shaft packing 37 a is provided in the supply shaft passage hole 37 so as to be in sliding contact with the supply shaft 76, so that the airtightness (with respect to the outside) in the transfer chamber 30 is maintained. It has become. A cooling shaft passage hole 38 is formed at the other lower end of the center of the transfer chamber 30 so that the cooling shaft 87 of the first cooling device 85 passes therethrough. In the cooling shaft passage hole 38, a cooling shaft packing 38a is provided so as to be in sliding contact with the cooling shaft 87, so that airtightness (with respect to the outside) in the transfer chamber 30 is maintained. Has become.

The molding chamber 40 mainly includes a heating molding mechanism 41 provided above the transfer chamber 30. The heat forming mechanism 41 includes a heat sink 42, a heat sink case 43 for accommodating heat sink, a quartz tube 44 provided inside the heat sink 42, and a heat sink 4. It comprises a mold contact member 45 provided on the upper inside of 3, a gas introduction pipe 46, and a thermocouple 47.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the heater 42 is arranged so that the molding die 10 placed on the supply shaft 76 can be efficiently heated from the surroundings. The heat case 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom at the upper part of the transfer chamber 30, and the heat case 42 is accommodated therein. A first gas introduction hole 43 a is formed in the upper center of the heat case 43 so as to be aligned with the mounting position of the gas introduction pipe 46.

The quartz tube 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is mounted inside the heater tube 42 in the heater case 43 and forms a mold 1 inside the quartz tube 44 (that is, the heating forming mechanism 41). 0 can be located. That is, the internal space of the quartz tube 44 becomes the internal space of the molding chamber 40, and the airtightness with the outside is maintained by the quartz tube 44.

The mold contact member 45 is attached to the upper inside of the heat case 43 so as to protrude downward, and the molding die 10 is moved from the molding position IV in the molding chamber 40 by the molding room transfer device 75. By moving the glass material further upward, the upper molding die 12 of the molding die 10 comes into contact with the die contact member 45 to press the glass material 11 onto the molding die 10. In this way, the glass material 11 can be formed. You. In the center of the mold contact member 45, a second gas introduction hole 45a is provided with a heater case.

Holes 43 are formed in alignment with the first gas introduction holes 43a.

The gas inlet pipe 46 is mounted at the center of the upper part of the heat case 43, and an inert gas (for example, nitrogen) flows from the gas inlet pipe 46 to the first gas inlet hole 43a and the second gas inlet hole. After passing through 45a, it is supplied into the molding chamber 40 (heat molding mechanism 41). The thermocouple 47 is attached and fixed to a thermocouple mounting hole 46a formed at the upper end of the gas introduction pipe 46, and the gas introduction pipe 46, the first gas introduction hole 43a, and the (2) The lower end portion passes through the gas introduction hole 45a and is located in the molding chamber 40 (the heat molding mechanism 41).

The carry-out chamber 50 is formed in a rectangular box shape on the upper end of the other end of the base 2. Loading room

An unloading chamber gas introduction unit 51 is provided on the upper part of the side wall of the 50, and an inert gas (for example, nitrogen) is supplied into the unloading chamber 50. On the other hand, at the lower part of the side wall of the unloading chamber 50, a unloading chamber gas exhausting section 52 is provided so that an inert gas can be supplied to replace the air in the unloading chamber 50 with the inert gas. I have.

An unloading shaft passage hole 53 is formed in the lower bottom portion (base 2) of the unloading room 50 so that the unloading shaft 81 of the unloading room transfer device 80 can pass through. Also, in the unloading shaft passage hole 53, an unloading shaft packing 53a is provided so as to be in sliding contact with the unloading shaft 81, so that the airtightness (with respect to the outside) in the unloading chamber 50 is maintained. It is supposed to be.

A front door (not shown) is provided on the front side of the carry-out room 50. When the front door of the carry-out room is opened and the inside of the carry-out room 50 is opened to the outside, a worker may use the door. Using a hand or an automatic unloading machine (not shown), the mold 10 is carried out (taken out) from the unloading position VII of the unloading chamber 50 by an operator. Usually, the door in front of the unloading room is closed and the inside of the unloading room 50 is closed. It is closed (closed) to the outside.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indoor transfer device 60 includes two ball screws 61, 61 attached to the transfer chamber 30, and two finger pins 62, 62, two finger cylinders 63, 63 screwed to the ball screws 61, 61, and a first drive device 65, which rotationally drives the ball screws 61, 61, is formed. The mold 10 is configured to be able to be transferred (in the horizontal direction) from the loading position II of the transfer chamber 30 to the unloading position VI through the supply position III and the cooling position V.

The two ball screws 61, 61 are mounted in parallel to each other and horizontally in the transfer chamber 30, and the other ends of the ball screws 61, 61 are located outside through the ball screw passage holes 36. It is supposed to.

The fingers 62, 62 are provided on the finger cylinders 63, 63 so as to face each other, and by the operation of the finger cylinders 63, 63, the molding die 10 is conveyed. It can be reciprocated in the direction to pinch the platform 15 (inside), that is, it can be closed to the carrier 15. The finger cylinders 63 and 63 are screwed to ball screws 61 and 61, respectively, and can reciprocate by rotation of the ball screws 61 and 61. As a result, the molding die 10 can be transported (in the horizontal direction) from the carry-in position II to the carry-out position VI of the transfer chamber 30 while being sandwiched between the fingers 62, 62.

The first drive unit 65 is attached to the motor 66, the motor-side pulley 67 attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 66, and the other end of the ball screw 61, 61, respectively. Bells 1 and 6 that transmit the rotation of the screw-side pulleys 6 8 and 6 8 and the motor-side pulley 6 7 (motor-side 6 6) to the screw-side pulleys 6 8 and 6 8 (ball screws 6 1 and 6 1). The ball screw 6 1, 6 1 is rotatably driven by the motor 6 through the motor pulley 6 7, the belt 6 9, and the screw pulleys 6 8, 6 8. . The motor 66, motor pulley 67, screw pulleys 68, 68, and belt 69 included in the first drive device 65 are located outside the transfer chamber 30. Have been. Accordingly, the dimensions of the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced, so that the dimensions of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced. . Further, the amount of the inert gas supplied to the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced, and the running cost of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced.

The carry-in room transfer device 70 includes a vertically extending carry-in shaft 71 on which the mold 10 can be placed, a carry-in shaft driving device (not shown) for vertically moving the carry-in shaft 71, and a carry-in shaft 71. And a carrying-in shaft guide 72 for supporting, so that the molding die 10 can be carried from the taking-in position I of the carrying-in room 20 to the carrying-in position II of the carrying room 30. At the upper end of the carry-in shaft 71, a carry-in stage 71a having the same diameter as the forming die 10 is formed, and the mold 10 is placed on the carry-in stage 71a. ing. The carry-in shaft guide 72 is attached to the lower surface side of the base 2, and is fitted to the carry-in shaft 71 to support the carry-in shaft 71 so as to be vertically movable.

Therefore, the carry-in shaft 71 can be moved up and down by the carry-in shaft drive device, and the molding die 10 carried into the take-in position I of the carry-in room 20 is moved by the carry-in shaft 71 (the carry-in room carrying device 70). It is possible to transport the transport chamber 30 to the carry-in position II of the transport chamber 30 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the indoor transport device 60 (vertical direction). Thus, the carry-in room 20 is provided separately below the transfer room 30, and the molding die 10 in the carry-in room 20 is moved by the carry-in room transfer device 70 in the transfer direction of the indoor transfer device 60. Since the transfer chamber 30 is configured to be transferred to the transfer chamber 30 at right angles, the size of the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced. Therefore, the installation area of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced. The strike can be reduced. Further, since the transfer chamber 30 and the carry-in chamber 20 can be separated from each other in an airtight manner, the amount of inert gas supplied to the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced, and the glass optics can be reduced. The running cost of the element molding device 1 can be reduced.

The forming chamber transfer device 75 includes a vertically extending supply shaft 76 on which the molding die 10 can be placed, a second driving device (not shown) for vertically moving the supply shaft 76, and a supply shaft 76. And a supply shaft guide 77 for supporting the molding die 10. The molding die 10 can be reciprocated from the supply position III of the transfer chamber 30 to the molding position IV of the molding chamber 40. A supply stage 76 a having a diameter slightly larger than the molding die 10 is formed at the upper end of the supply shaft 76, and the molding die 10 is placed on the supply stage 76 a. Has become. The supply shaft guide 77 is attached to the lower surface side of the base 2 and is fitted to the supply shaft 76 to support the supply shaft 76 so as to be able to move up and down.

Therefore, the supply shaft 76 can be moved up and down by the second driving device, and the forming die 10 which has reached the supply position III of the transfer chamber 30 is transferred indoors by the supply shaft 76 (forming room transfer device 75). It is possible to reciprocate to the molding position IV of the molding chamber in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the device 60 (vertical direction). Thus, the molding chamber 40 is separately provided on the upper part of the transfer chamber 30 which is different from the laying of the indoor transfer device 60 and the extension thereof, and the molding die 10 in the transfer chamber 30 is formed. Since the chamber transfer device 75 is configured to be reciprocated to the forming chamber 40 in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the indoor transfer device 60, the size of the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced. Therefore, the installation area of the glass optical element molding device 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding device 1 can be reduced. Further, the amount of the inert gas supplied to the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced, and the running cost of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced. Further, since the second driving device also serves as a means for pressing the molding die 10 in the molding chamber 40, the glass optical element molding device 1 can be simplified and further reduced in size. did it. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be further reduced.

The first cooling device 85 moves a vertically extending first cooling plate 86 provided in the transfer chamber 30, a cooling shaft 87 on which the mold 10 can be placed, and a cooling shaft 87. And a cooling shaft guide 88 supporting the cooling shaft 87. The molding die 10 placed on the cooling shaft 87 is moved upward to The mold 10 can be cooled by contacting the cooling plate 86. The first cooling plate 86 is mounted so as to face the cooling position V in the upper part of the transfer chamber 30 and is configured to abut the upper mold 12 and the sleeve 14 of the mold 10. Is done. At the upper end of the cooling shaft 87, a cooling stage 87a having the same diameter as the molding die 10 is formed, and the cooling die 87 is placed on the cooling stage 87a. I'm familiar. The first cooling plate 86 and the cooling shaft 87 are water-cooled by a cooler (not shown). The cooling shaft guide 88 is attached to the lower surface side of the base 2, and is fitted to the cooling shaft 87 so as to support the cooling shaft 87 so that it can move up and down.

The unloading chamber transfer device 80 includes an unloading shaft 81 on which the molding die 10 can be mounted, an unloading shaft driving device (not shown) for vertically moving the unloading shaft 81, and unloading supporting the unloading shaft 81. A shaft guide 82 is provided so that the mold 10 can be transferred from the unloading position VI of the transfer chamber 30 to the unloading position VII of the transfer chamber 50. An unloading stage 81a is formed at the upper end of the unloading shaft 81, and the molding die 10 is placed on the unloading stage 81a. The unloading shaft guide 82 is attached to the lower surface side of the base 2 and is fitted to the unloading shaft 81 to support the unloading shaft 81 movably up and down.

Therefore, the unloading shaft 81 can be moved up and down by the unloading shaft drive device. The molding die 10 that has reached the unloading position VI of the transfer chamber 30 is unloaded into the unloading chamber 5 in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the indoor transfer device 60 (vertical direction) by the unloading shaft 81 (unloading chamber transfer device 80). It can be transported to the unloading position VII. Thus, the unloading chamber 50 is provided separately below the transfer chamber 30, and the molding die 10 in the transfer chamber 30 is moved by the unloading chamber transfer device 80 in the transfer direction of the indoor transfer device 60. Since the transfer chamber 30 is configured to be transferred to the discharge chamber 50 in a right angle direction, the size of the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced. Therefore, the installation area of the glass optical element molding device 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding device 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the amount of inert gas supplied to the transfer chamber 30 can be reduced, and the running cost of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 can be reduced.

Note that, in the unloading chamber transfer device 80, a second cooling device 90 capable of cooling the mold 10 is provided immediately above the unloading room 50. The second cooling device 90 mainly includes a second cooling plate 91 and an unloading shaft 81 as a second cooling shaft on which the mold 10 can be mounted, and is mounted on the unloading shaft 81. By moving the formed mold 10 upward and making contact with the second cooling plate 91, the mold 10 is cooled. This eliminates the need to separately provide the second cooling device 90, so that the installation area of the glass optical element molding device 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the glass optical element molding device 1 can be reduced. Can be.

The second cooling plate 91 is attached to the upper part of the transfer chamber 30 so as to face the unloading position VI, and is configured to abut the upper mold 12 and the sleeve 14 of the mold 10. Is done. The second cooling plate 91 and the unloading shaft 81 are water-cooled by a cooler (not shown), like the first cooling device 85.

In the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the glass optical element was molded by the following production method. The process will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a mold preparation step (SS 1) shown in FIG. 8 is performed. In this process, the lower mold 13, the glass material 11, and the upper mold 12 are inserted into the sleeve 14 placed on the carrier 15 of the mold 10 in order, The material 11 is put in the mold 10.

Next, a mold carrying-in process (SS2) is performed. This process is performed by opening the front door of the loading room of the loading room 20 and opening the inside of the loading room 20 to the outside, and then using a hand of an operator or an automatic loading machine (not shown) to form the molding die. 10 is loaded from outside into the loading position I of the loading room 20 (placed on the loading stage 71 a of the loading shaft 71). At this time, the carry-in chamber communication port 31 is closed by the carry-in lid 26, thereby preventing oxygen (air) from flowing into the transfer chamber 30. After the mold 10 is carried into the take-in position I, the front door of the carry-in room is closed so that the inside of the carry-in room 20 is closed (closed) to the outside. Therefore, oxygen is not mixed into the molding chamber 40, so that the oxidation of the molding die 10 and the molding chamber 40 can be reduced, and a longer life of the molding die 10 and the device can be expected.

Subsequently, the inside of the carry-in room 20 is evacuated by the vacuum pump 25, the inside of the carry-in room 20 is once evacuated, and the evacuation is stopped. With the pressure difference between the transfer chamber 30 and the transfer chamber 30 set to a predetermined value, the load cover 26 that closes the transfer chamber communication port 31 is opened (rotated) to open the transfer chamber 20 and the transfer chamber 30. And communicate with.

Next, the first transfer step (SS3) of the mold is performed. In this step, the carry-in shaft 71 of the carry-in room transfer device 70 is moved upward, and the mold 10 carried into the take-in position I of the carry-in room 2◦ is passed through the carry-in room communication port 31. It is transported to the carry-in position II of the transfer chamber 30 and delivered to the indoor transfer device 60. After the delivery is completed, the loading shaft 71 (the loading stage 71a) is moved down to return to the loading room 20.

The transfer from the carry-in room transfer device 70 to the indoor transfer device 60 is performed by transferring the fingers 6 2, 6 2 of the indoor transfer device 60 located at the transfer position II of the transfer room 30 to the recesses 15 of the transfer table 15. a, 1 5 a and engage with two fingers 6 2, 6 2 This is performed by sandwiching the transfer table 15 of the forming die 10.

Subsequently, the ball screws 6 1 and 6 1 are rotated by the motor 6 and the molding die 10 (the transfer table 15) sandwiched between the fingers 6 2 and 6 2 of the indoor transfer device 60 is transferred to the transfer chamber. It is transported from the carry-in position II of 30 to the supply position III, and delivered to the molding room transport device 75. The transfer from the indoor transfer device 60 to the molding room transfer device 75 involves engaging the fingers 62, 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 with the recesses 15a, 15a of the transfer table 15. Release is performed, and the molding die 10 located at the supply position III of the transfer chamber 30 is placed on the supply stage Ί 6 a of the supply shaft 76. When the mold 10 is transported to the supply position III, the carry-in lid 26 closes to close the carry-in chamber communication hole 31.

Next, the molding room introduction step (SS4) is performed. In this step, the supply shaft 76 of the molding chamber transfer device 75 is moved upward, and the forming die 10 located at the supply position III of the transfer chamber 30 is passed through the forming chamber communication port 32 to form. It is transported to the molding position IV in chamber 40. Then, the molding die 10 is heated to a predetermined molding temperature by the heating molding mechanism 41 and the temperature of the molding die 10 (upper molding die 12) measured by the thermocouple 47. When the molding temperature is reached, the glass material 11 is molded by the heating molding mechanism 41 (forming step SS5).

When molding the glass material 11, the supply shaft 76 is moved upward to move the molding die 10 further upward from the molding position IV of the molding chamber 40, and the upper molding die 12 is moved. It is brought into contact with the mold contact member 45 of the thermoforming mechanism 41. Further, by applying a driving force to further move the supply shaft 76 upward, the upper molding die 12 and the lower molding die 13 are pressed against the glass material 11 and the glass material 11 (glass optical The element is molded.

When the molding of the glass material 11 by the heating molding mechanism 41 is completed, a molding chamber removal step (SS6) is performed. In this step, the supply shaft 76 of the molding chamber transfer device 75 is moved downward to move the molding die 10 above the molding position IV in the molding chamber 40. From the side (contact position with the mold contact member 45), returns to the supply position III of the transfer chamber 30 through the forming chamber communication port 32, and is transferred to the indoor transfer device 60. For the transfer from the molding room transport device 75 to the indoor transport device 60, the fingers 6 2, 62 of the indoor transport device 60 located at the supply position III of the transport chamber 30 are transferred to the recesses 1 of the transport table 15. 5a and 15a are reengaged, and the two fingers 62 and 62 pinch the carrier 15 of the molding die 10 to perform this operation.

Next, a second transfer step (SS7) of the molding die is performed. In this step, the ball screws 61, 61 are further rotated by the motor 66, and the molding die 10 (transfer stand) sandwiched between the fingers 62, 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 is rotated. 15) is transferred from the supply position III of the transfer chamber 30 to the cooling position V, and delivered to the first cooling device 85. The transfer from the indoor transfer device 60 to the first cooling device 85 is performed by engaging the fingers 62, 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 with the recesses 15a, 15a of the transfer table 15. This is performed by releasing the mold 10 placed at the cooling position V of the transfer chamber 30 on the cooling stage 87 a of the cooling shaft 87.

Subsequently, a cooling step (SS8) is performed. The cooling shaft 87 of the first cooling device 85 is moved upward to bring the molding die 10 into contact with the first cooling plate 86, and in this state, the molding die 10 is cooled for a predetermined time. Is moved down to return the molding die 10 to the cooling position V and delivered to the indoor transfer device 60. The transfer from the first cooling device 85 to the indoor transfer device 60 is performed by using the fingers 62 and 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 located at the cooling position V of the transfer chamber 30 with the recesses 15 of the transfer table 15. a and 15a are again engaged with each other, and the two fingers 62 and 62 hold the transfer table 15 of the mold 10 therebetween.

Next, the ball screws 6 1, 6 1 are further rotated by the motor 6 6, and the mold 10 (the transfer table 15) held between the fingers 6 2, 6 2 of the indoor transfer device 60 is transferred to the transfer room. It is transferred from the cooling position V of 30 to the unloading position VI and delivered to the unloading room transfer device 80 (that is, the second cooling device 90). At this time, the unloading room With the unloading lid 56 closing the communication port 33 opened and the transfer chamber 30 and the unloading chamber 50 communicating with each other, the unloading shaft 81 of the unloading chamber transfer device 80 is positioned below the unloading position VI (adjacent to Contact) is located.

For the transfer from the indoor transfer device 60 to the unloading room transfer device 80, the association between the fingers 62, 62 of the indoor transfer device 60 and the dents 15a, 15a of the transfer table 15 is released. Then, the molding is performed by placing the molding die 10 located at the unloading position VI of the transfer chamber 30 on the unloading stage 81 a of the unloading shaft 81.

Subsequently, the unloading shaft 81 of the unloading room transfer device 80 is moved up (as a second cooling shaft) to bring the mold 10 into contact with the second cooling plate 91 of the second cooling device 90. After cooling the molding die 10 for a predetermined time in this state, the unloading shaft 81 is moved downward to move the molding die 10 above the unloading position VI in the transfer chamber 30 (the contact position with the second cooling plate 91). From the discharge room 50 to the discharge position VII of the discharge room 50. After the transfer is completed, the unloading cover 56 is closed (rotated) to close the unloading chamber communication port 33.

Then, the unloading process (SS9) is performed. In this process, with the door in front of the unloading room of the unloading room 50 opened and the inside of the unloading room 50 opened to the outside, the operator's hand or an automatic unloading machine (not shown) is used. The mold 10 is carried out of the carry-out chamber 50 from the take-out position VII to the outside. At this time, since the unloading chamber communication port 33 is closed by the unloading lid 56, the inflow of oxygen (air) into the transfer chamber 30 is prevented.

After the mold 10 has been carried out, first, the front door of the carry-out chamber is closed to make the inside of the carry-out chamber 50 closed (closed) to the outside. Then, the inside of the carry-out chamber 50 is evacuated by a vacuum pump (not shown), the inside of the carry-out chamber 50 is once evacuated, and the evacuation is stopped. With the pressure difference between the transfer chamber 30 and the transfer chamber 30 set to a predetermined value, the discharge cover 56 closing the transfer chamber communication port 33 is opened (by swinging), and the transfer chamber 30 and the transfer chamber 30 are opened. 5 and Communicate. This prevents oxygen (air) from flowing into the transfer chamber 30. Therefore, oxygen is not mixed into the molding chamber 40, and the molding die 10 and the molding chamber 40 are not mixed.

Oxidation of the mold can be reduced, and the service life of the mold 10 and equipment can be prolonged.

In addition, according to the transfer method performed by the present apparatus, the apparatus itself is reduced in size, the equipment area is small, and the equipment cost is low. Therefore, it leads to cost reduction in optical element manufacturing.

Next, a second embodiment of the glass optical element forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the glass optical element molding apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is different only in the apparatus configuration of the molding chamber 40 in the above-described first embodiment, and the other apparatus configurations are the same. And a duplicate description is omitted. The glass optical element molding apparatus 100 in the second embodiment includes a molding die 10 capable of press-molding a glass material, a carry-in room 20 and a carry-out room 50 provided on a base 2, and a carry-in room 20. And a transfer chamber 30 connected to the upper part of the transfer chamber 50 and a molding chamber 140 connected to the upper part of the transfer chamber 30.

The glass optical element molding apparatus 100 includes an indoor transfer apparatus 60 provided in the transfer chamber 30, and a transfer chamber transfer apparatus 70 provided across the transfer chamber 20 and the transfer chamber 30. A forming chamber transfer device 75 provided across the transfer chamber 30 and the forming room 140; and an unloading room transfer device 80 provided across the transfer chamber 30 and the unloading room 50. It is provided with a first cooling device 85 and a second cooling device 90 for cooling the mold 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the molding chamber 140 includes a column member 14 1 erected above the transfer chamber 30 and a top plate 14 2 provided above the column member 14 1. A quartz tube 144, a mold contact member 144, a gas introduction tube 144, a thermocouple 144, and a heating device 150 are provided and formed, respectively. Top plate 1 4 2 In the center, a first gas introduction hole 1442a is formed in a position aligned with the mounting position of the gas introduction pipe 146.

The quartz tube 144 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is attached to the center of the molding chamber 140, and the molding die 10 is located inside the quartz tube 144. That is, the internal space of the quartz tube 144 becomes the internal space of the molding chamber 140, and the quartz tube 144 maintains airtightness with the outside.

The mold contact member 144 is mounted so as to protrude downward at the center of the lower surface side of the top plate 142, and the forming die 100 is formed in the forming chamber 140 by the forming room conveying device 75. By moving it further upward from the position IV, the upper molding die 12 of the molding die 10 comes into contact with the die contact member 1 45, and the glass material 11 is pressed against the molding die 10. Thus, the glass material 11 can be formed. A second gas introduction hole 144a is formed in the center of the mold contact member 144 in alignment with the first gas introduction hole 144a of the top plate 142. . The gas inlet pipe 144 is attached to the center of the upper surface of the top plate 142, and an inert gas (for example, nitrogen) is supplied from the gas inlet pipe 144 to the first gas inlet hole 142a and The gas is supplied into the molding chamber 140 (quartz tube 144) through the second gas introduction hole 144a. The thermocouple 147 is attached and fixed to a thermocouple mounting hole 144a formed at the upper end of the gas introduction pipe 146. After passing through 42 a and the second gas introduction hole 144 a, the lower end is positioned inside the molding chamber 140 (quartz tube 144).

The heating device 150 includes, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a base member 150 and a heating section 160 provided on the base member 150. The base member 155 is formed in a plate shape, and a heating section 160 is provided on the upper part thereof so as to be separable. As shown in Fig. 7 (c), an escape portion 1556 slightly wider than the quartz tube 144 is formed in the center of the pace member 1555 in an inverted U-shape. The heating section 160 does not interfere with the quartz tube 144. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the four corners of the base member are threaded with an annular foot 157, and the base member is rotated by screwing the adjustable foot 157. The height of the heating section 150 and the heating section 160 can be adjusted. Thereby, the temperature balance in the up-down direction of the mold 10 heated by the heating unit 160 can be easily adjusted. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating section 160 includes a cylindrical case member 161, and two heaters 170 arranged inside the case member 161, respectively. It is configured with. The case member 16 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the molding die 10 and the quartz tube 144 so that the molding die 10 can be efficiently heated. The case member 16 1 is composed of a left and right case member 16 2 and a right case member 16 3 which are bilaterally symmetrical. One and the other). Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c), the case member 16 1 (the left case member 16 2 and the right case member 16 3) of the heating section 160 is divided into right and left, and By moving the heating section 160 (the case member 16 1) together with the base member 150 to the rear of the molding chamber 140, the heating device 150 (that is, the heating section 160) is moved. ) Can be taken out of the molding chamber 140. This makes it possible to easily take out the heating device 150 (heating section 160) to the outside of the molding chamber 140, thereby facilitating replacement of the heater 170 and maintenance in the molding chamber 140. Can be done. In order to mount the heating device 150 in the molding chamber 140, the reverse operation of removing the heating device 150 may be performed.

A mirror 165 that reflects infrared rays is attached to the inner surface of the case member 161 so that the mold 10 can be uniformly heated. The heater 170 is a straight tube heater heated by infrared rays. As shown in Fig. 6, inside the case member 161, the concentric circles surrounding the mold 10 are equally spaced (30 degrees apart). It is arranged in. As a result, the mold 10 can be more uniformly heated, so that the temperature distribution of the cylindrical mold 10 and the glass material 11 (by heating the heater 170) is It is concentric when viewed from above 0. Therefore, by correcting the shape of the mold 10 concentrically (as viewed from above), it is possible to correct the temperature distribution (heating temperature) of the glass material 11. It should be noted that if there is a non-uniform temperature distribution on the concentric circle, it is difficult to cope with the shape correction of the mold 10.

In the glass optical element molding apparatus 100 having such a configuration, a glass optical element is molded by performing the same procedure as that of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. Can be molded. As a result, according to the glass optical element molding apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, the same effects as those of the glass optical element molding apparatus 1 in the first embodiment can be obtained. It is possible to easily perform the replacement of the mold and maintenance in the molding chamber 140, and it is possible to more uniformly heat the molding die 10.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, if a supply / exhaust system capable of rapidly replacing the atmosphere of the molding chamber with an inert gas can be used, a loading chamber or a transfer chamber can be used. Instead of providing a room for preventing oxygen from entering the molding chamber as described above, the molding die may be directly introduced into the carry-in position of the transfer room and directly taken out of the carry-out room of the transfer room. In addition, the transfer device does not have to be provided in a room, such as a transfer room, which is isolated from the outside world to some extent.

Claims

Scope of demand

1. a molding chamber in which the glass material is pressed and formed by the molding die by pressing while pressing the molding die in which the glass material is embedded;

The molding die transported to the predetermined loading position is transported from the predetermined loading position to a predetermined supply position where the molding die is supplied into the molding chamber, and the molding die pressed while being heated in the molding chamber is subjected to the heating. A transfer device that can be transferred from a predetermined supply position to a predetermined discharge position where the molding die is discharged,

The glass optical element molding device, wherein the molding chamber is provided at a position different from the position where the transfer device is laid and the extension thereof.

2. A molding chamber transfer device capable of removing the molding die that has reached the predetermined supply position from the transfer device and reciprocatingly transferring the molding die into the molding chamber through a molding chamber communication port formed to face the predetermined supply position. Prepare

2. The molding chamber transfer device is provided to reciprocate the molding die that has reached the predetermined supply position into the molding chamber in a direction perpendicular to a transfer direction of the transfer device. Glass optical element molding equipment. 3. The transfer device is provided in a transfer chamber, a first drive device for driving the transfer device is provided, and the molding room transfer device is provided with a second drive device for driving the formation chamber transfer device. And

The glass optical element molding according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first driving device and the second driving device is provided outside the molding chamber and the transfer chamber. apparatus. O 2004/083135

26. A transfer chamber that includes at least a part of the transfer device, and forms a space in which the mold can move between the predetermined carry-in position, the predetermined supply position, and the predetermined carry-out position.

A loading chamber provided to be connected to the transport chamber via a loading chamber communication port formed to face the predetermined loading position of the transport chamber, for loading the mold into the transport chamber from outside; ,

An unloading chamber for unloading the molding die from the transfer chamber to the outside, the unloading chamber being provided so as to be connected to the transfer chamber via an unloading chamber communication port formed opposite to the predetermined unloading position of the transfer chamber. ,

A carry-in room transfer device capable of transferring the mold from outside into the carry-in room to the predetermined carry-in position of the transfer room through the carry-in room communication port; 2. The unloading-room transfer device capable of removing the molding die that has reached the unloading position from the transfer device and transferring the forming die through the unloading-room communication port into the unloading room. Alternatively, the glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 2. A loading chamber provided to be connected to the transport chamber via a loading chamber communication port formed opposite to the predetermined loading position of the transport chamber, for loading the mold into the transport chamber from outside. When,

Discharge for discharging the molding die from the transfer chamber to the outside, which is provided in the transfer chamber through a discharge chamber communication port formed to face the predetermined discharge position of the transfer chamber. Room and

A carry-in room transfer device capable of transferring the mold from outside into the carry-in room to the predetermined carry-in position of the transfer room through the carry-in room communication port; The mold that has reached the unloading position is removed from the transfer device, and the unloading chamber is passed through the unloading chamber communication port. 4. The glass optical element molding apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a carry-out chamber transfer device capable of being transferred into the inside. The carry-in chamber is configured so that the molding dies carried into the carry-in chamber are transported by the carry-in chamber transport device to a predetermined carry-in position of the transport chamber in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the transport device. Provided,

The unloading chamber is provided such that the mold that has reached the predetermined unloading position is transported by the unloading chamber transporting device into the unloading chamber in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the transport device. The glass optical element molding device according to claim 4 or claim 5. 7. The glass optical element molding device according to claim 4, wherein a cooling device capable of cooling the molding die is provided in the transfer chamber. A heating unit is provided in the molding chamber, which is capable of heating around the molding die,

The heating unit is configured to be dividable, and the divided heating unit is configured to be able to be moved and taken out of the molding chamber, wherein the heating unit is configured to be able to be taken out of the molding chamber. Glass optical element molding equipment. The glass according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of straight tube heaters are arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle surrounding the mold in the mold chamber. Optical element molding equipment. 0. The mold on which the glass material is placed is transferred to the molding room, and the mold is The glass material is formed into a predetermined shape by applying heat and pressure to a glass optical element having desired optical characteristics.

A transfer step of transferring the mold on which the glass material is arranged to a position where the mold can be introduced into the molding chamber;

A molding chamber introducing step of transporting the mold to the molding chamber in a direction different from the direction in which the mold is introduced into the molding chamber and being transported to the transporting step; A molding step of heating to a predetermined temperature and applying a predetermined pressure in a predetermined direction;

And a carrying-out step of carrying out the mold after the completion of the molding step. 1. The transfer direction in the transfer step is substantially horizontal, and the transfer direction of the mold in the molding chamber introduction step is an upward direction with respect to the transfer direction in the transfer step. The method for producing an optical element according to claim 10, wherein: