Quick answer: Borofloat 33 for Optical Sensors covers Borofloat 33 (CTE 3.25 x 10^-6 /K, 350 nm – 2.0 um). Prototypes ship in 5-10 working days.
borofloat 33 for optical sensors programs need filtered, AR-coated apertures matched to detector bands. Borofloat 33 is the fit here because it offers float-glass flatness off the line. Typical parts: sensor windows, filter caps, lens covers.
Specifications at a glance
| Material | Borofloat 33 (SCHOTT float production, wafer grade) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 3.25 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 450 C continuous |
| Transmission range | 350 nm – 2.0 um |
| Density | 2.23 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 480 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.471 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.70 – 25.4 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 500 x 500 mm |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
What the process holds
Beyond this page, Borofloat 33 routinely runs through sandblasting, laser cutting, grinding, etching in our shop – most real parts combine two or three of these steps.
Design guidance
Three items decide most of the cost and lead time on this work:
- Material note: float tin side must be tracked when parts see coating or bonding steps.
- Over-specification is the quiet budget killer: a 20/10 scratch-dig face costs roughly three times an 80/50 face, so grade each surface individually.
The full rules live in our tolerance design guide and holes and edges design guide.
Application context
The recurring buyers of borofloat 33 for optical sensors: machine vision (camera windows, ring-light diffusers, calibration plates); led packaging (groove covers, phosphor carriers, package windows); optical sensors (sensor windows, filter caps, lens covers). Background reading on the underlying material science: SCHOTT BOROFLOAT product page.
The fastest route to a quote is geometry: use the 3D builder below, draw a dimensioned 2D drawing from it, or open the site-wide custom glass machining 3D + 2D builder for fully custom parts.
Related reading on this site: wafer dicing process, Borofloat 33 selection guide, BF33 microfluidic chip.
Buyer questions, answered
Is there a minimum order for borofloat 33 for optical sensors?
No. Single prototypes are accepted, and pricing steps down at 10, 100 and 1,000 pieces.
How fast can prototypes ship?
Machined prototypes ship in 5 – 10 working days. Coated or bonded parts add 1 – 2 weeks depending on queue slots.
What files do you need for a quote?
A dimensioned PDF plus DXF or STEP geometry. If only a sketch exists, our drawing review service formalizes it before quoting.
Do parts ship with inspection data?
Dimensional reports, surface certificates and material certs per melt are available; specify the level on the RFQ.
What tolerances are achievable on Borofloat 33 parts?
Ground features hold +/-0.01 mm and lapped thickness reaches +/-0.003 mm. Float tin side must be tracked when parts see coating or bonding steps.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in September 2026.