Glass forming apparatus and glass forming method

Abstract

A glass forming apparatus and a glass forming method of high economical merit and high production efficiency are provided. More specifically, the glass forming apparatus has dies, in which at least one die is divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit, and in the glass forming apparatus and glass forming method, the plane precision is improved in the contact dividing surfaces of the heat exchange unit and the press unit. A glass forming apparatus includes a die having a press surface for pressing a glass material, in which the die has a plurality of dies, and at least one die is divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit. Preferably, the surface precision of at least one part of each dividing surface in contact with the heat exchange unit and the press unit has a flatness (PV) of 500 μm or less, and the plane precision of at least one part of the dividing surface has a surface roughness (Ra) of 100 μm or less.

1 . A glass forming method for manufacturing a glass by pressing a glass material between dies, in an apparatus having a plurality of dies, at least one die being divided into a heat exchange unit and a press unit, and coupled to pressing means,
 wherein the dies are replaced by detaching, from the pressing means, the die divided into the heat exchange unit and the press unit.   
     
     
         2 . The glass forming method of  claim 1 , wherein a surface in contact with the heat exchange unit of the press unit, of the die to be replaced, is polished in advance. 
     
     
         3 . The glass forming method of  claim 1 , wherein a press surface of the press unit, of the die to be replaced, is preliminarily polished. 
     
     
         4 . The glass forming method of  claim 2 , wherein the polishing process is executed by a rotary grinder. 
     
     
         5 . The glass forming method of  claim 1 , wherein a heat exchange fluid circulates in the heat exchange unit, and exchanges heat with the press unit. 
     
     
         6 . The glass forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchange fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The glass forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchange fluid is water. 
     
     
         8 . The glass forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchange fluid is oil. 
     
     
         9 . The glass forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchange fluid is a gas. 
     
     
         10 . The glass forming method of  claim 5 , wherein the heat exchange fluid is air.