grinding

Definition: Step in the manufacture of an optical element that gives it the shape required by the designers. * One or more blank elements are held in a holder that is like the inside of a shallow bowl (for concave elements) or an upturned bowl (for convex elements). A corresponding bowl-shaped grinder is rotated under pressure against the glass blanks, lubricated with liquid and abrasive compounds: the grinding action imparts the shape of the inner surface of the grinder to optical elements.

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