Concentrator: Low-cost production of rotationally symmetrical and longitudinal optical elements

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing glass optical elements, in particular for the production of so-called "low-cost optics" for concentrating light on small areas, such as for photovoltaic applications or optical coupler. The process for the preparation of the glass optical elements comprising the steps of: providing a glass rod of a selected cross-section, heating of the glass rod, so that it is at least partially deformable, forms at least an optical glass element of the deformable portion with a mold, separating the optical glass element of the glass rod at the connection, arranging a plurality of separate glass optical elements into a group, grinding and / or polishing at least a portion of the parting surfaces of the grouped glass optical elements. The invention allows optical glass elements lower quality requirements in high volume and high output but produce at low cost.