Abstract:
An apparatus is provided that heats the glass of a primary glass product to be formed. The apparatus includes a laser that emits light at a wavelength for which the glass of the primary glass product is at most partly transparent, such that the light is absorbed at least partially in the glass. The apparatus also includes a mold having a forming mandrel having a thermally stable ceramic material, at least in the region that forms the contact surface with the glass during the forming process.