Method for manufacturing a fluorescent lamp

A method for manufacturing a fluorescent lamp comprising eight glass tubes that are arranged parallel to each other around a central axis and connected with a bridge in turn to form a discharge path, comprising steps of:

• manufacturing two of first dual tubes comprising a glass tube with an electrode and a glass tube without an electrode that are connected with a bridge and two of second dual tubes comprising two glass tubes without an electrode that are connected with a bridge;
• locating each of the first and second dual tubes substantially parallel to each other at a distance in such a manner that one of the first dual tubes is located on each side of two of the second dual tubes, with the glass tubes with the electrode located distally with respect to the second dual tubes;
• simultaneously heating portions for connection of two of each of the second dual tubes that are adjacent to each other to soften and form opening portions;
• moving each of the second dual tubes with the opening portion horizontally so that the opening portions are contacted with and welded to each other, and pulling back the moved second dual tube a predetermined distance, thereby forming a tube assembly comprising two of the second dual tubes that are connected with a bridge;
• simultaneously heating portions for connection of the tube assembly and the first dual tubes on both sides of the tube assembly to soften and form opening portions;
• and
• moving at least one of the tube assembly and the first dual tubes horizontally so that the opening portions are contacted with and welded to each other, and pulling back the at least one of the tube assembly and the first dual tubes a predetermined distance, thereby completing connection of the eight glass tubes with bridges.