The device for polishing optical lenses includes a lens holder; a device for positioning the lens holder; and a device for rotating the lens holder about an axis. There is also a polishing tool; a tool holder; a device for positioning the tool holder; and a device for rotating the tool holder about an axis. The device for polishing also includes a ball joint arranged between a shaft secured to the tool holder and the device for positioning the tool holder, or between a shaft secured to the lens holder and the device for positioning the lens holder, so as to enable a spherical movement of the polishing tool and of the lens. The invention also relates to a method for polishing using the device according to the invention.

A method for numerical control milling, forming and polishing of a large-diameter aspheric lens to solve the problems of long time-consuming and severe tool wear in the machining of a meter-scale large-diameter aspheric surface is disclosed. An aspheric surface is discretized into a series of rings with different radii, and the rings are sequentially machined through generating cutting by using an annular grinding wheel tool; the rings are equally spaced, there are a total of N rings, and the width of any ring is jointly determined by the N.sup.th ring, the (N−1).sup.th ring, positioning accuracy, and a generatrix equation of the aspheric lens, and the n.sup.th ring has a curvature radius of Rn=sqrt(R0.sup.2−k*(n*dx).sup.2); and the aspheric surface is enveloped by a large number of rings.

A tool holding fixture for a tool drive and a device for polishing of optical workpieces, the tool holding fixture being coupled by a magnet and by quick connections to the tool drive and forming a preassembled unit with a tiltable tool holder and assigned bearing part together with a bellows.

The present invention relates to a tool holder for a processing tool for processing optical workpieces with a holder head for receiving a processing tool and a holder body for fastening the tool holder to a tool spindle. According to the invention, it is provided that the holder head is annular with an annular rim and that at least two holding elements are arranged on the annular rim. The present invention relates further to a processing tool for processing optical workpieces having receiving openings in its base body.

The present invention relates to a tool holder for a processing tool for processing optical workpieces with a holder head for receiving a processing tool and a holder body for fastening the tool holder to a tool spindle. According to the invention, it is provided that the holder head is annular with an annular rim and that at least two holding elements are arranged on the annular rim. The present invention relates further to a processing tool for processing optical workpieces having receiving openings in its base body.

Methods, apparatus and systems for polishing an optical component having an aspheric or freeform surface are described. In one example aspect, a polishing device includes a solid plate and a container coupled to the solid plate. The container encloses a non-Newtonian material that exhibits a solid-like and a fluid-like behavior based on a frequency of a stress applicable to the non-Newtonian material. The device also includes a layer of viscoelastic polymer adhered to the container to polish the optical component. The layer of viscoelastic polymer comprises one or more segments positioned according to a shape of the solid plate.

A tool for polishing glass is formed by integrating multiple polishing elements in which polishing grains have been covered with a resin, and includes air cavities. The polishing grain volume S ratio is 50-85%, the resin volume ratio is 15-50%, the air cavity volume ratio is 20% or less, and the average grain size of the polishing elements is 10 μm or less.

A tool for polishing glass is formed by integrating multiple polishing elements in which polishing grains have been covered with a resin, and includes air cavities. The polishing grain volume S ratio is 50-85%, the resin volume ratio is 15-50%, the air cavity volume ratio is 20% or less, and the average grain size of the polishing elements is 10 μm or less.

An optical element manufacturing method is a method for manufacturing an optical element by polishing an optical material, the method comprising the steps of mounting the optical material on a placing table, polishing the optical material using a polishing unit mounted on a processing machine movable above the placing table, and measuring a surface profile of the optical material using a measurement unit mounted on the processing machine.

An optical element manufacturing method is a method for manufacturing an optical element by polishing an optical material, the method comprising the steps of mounting the optical material on a placing table, polishing the optical material using a polishing unit mounted on a processing machine movable above the placing table, and measuring a surface profile of the optical material using a measurement unit mounted on the processing machine.