OPTICAL GLASS TREATMENT THROUGH CUTTING AND HOT PRESSING: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

The secondary processing in the technological cycle of optical glass production is studied. The manufacturing of optical glass is a complex multi-stage process that includes melting, forming the glass mass, and subsequent technological operations necessary to achieve the final material characteristics. In addition to primary production, glass undergoes additional stages of mechanical processing, which allow it to obtain the required geometry and, in some cases, adjust its optical parameters. It provides a detailed analysis of the mechanical processing of colored and colorless optical glass, including cutting, grinding, and polishing methods. Special attention is given to the comparison of mechanical processing and hot pressing as an alternative method for forming optical components. The influence of temperature regimes and pressure during hot pressing on the spectral characteristics and mechanical strength of products is analyzed. Mechanical processing of optical glass requires high precision to meet surface smoothness requirements and avoid internal defects. The grinding and polishing process significantly affects light transmission and the level of light scattering, which is critical for high-precision optical systems. The characteristics of abrasive materials used in processing, as well as the speed and cutting parameters, play an important role in determining residual stresses in the material. The main advantages and disadvantages of both methods are determined depending on the type of raw material, the required dimensional accuracy, and surface parameters. The techno-economic analysis of the application of mechanical processing and hot pressing in industrial conditions is conducted. Hypothetical costs for the use of each method, including equipment costs, energy consumption, and material losses, are calculated. The obtained results allow for the formulation of recommendations on the optimal choice of optical glass processing technology, considering the requirements for the final product and economic feasibility.