Process Capability

CNC Machining FTO Coated Glass

CNC Machining FTO Coated Glass: FTO Coated Glass, CTE substrate dependent; +/-0.01 mm positional. No MOQ, prototypes in 5-10 days, DFM review with every RFQ.

CNC Machining FTO Coated Glass

CNC Machining FTO Coated Glass: FTO Coated Glass (CTE substrate dependent, 80 – 82% visible @ 7 ohm/sq); CNC Machining to +/-0.01 mm positional. Single-piece prototypes to production volumes, quoted from your drawing.

Ask any process engineer what makes fto coated glass difficult and the answer is specific: the harder FTO film abrades diamond tooling faster and edges need post-cut inspection for film lift. Our cnc machining line is tooled around exactly that – 4-axis machining centers with diamond tooling and through-spindle coolant – holding +/-0.01 mm positional on parts from 0.5 – 50 mm thick.

Specification envelope

Material FTO Coated Glass (TEC-7, TEC-15 equivalents)
Thermal expansion (CTE) substrate dependent
Service temperature 600 C (coating stable)
Transmission range 80 – 82% visible @ 7 ohm/sq
Density 2.23 – 2.50 g/cm3
Knoop hardness harder film than ITO
Refractive index ~2.0 (FTO film)
Stock thickness 1.1 – 3.2 mm substrates
Maximum blank size 360 x 300 mm
Process CNC Machining
Working tolerance +/-0.01 mm positional
Minimum feature 0.4 mm slot width
Surface finish Ra 0.4 um ground, optional polish
Thickness window 0.5 – 50 mm
Edge condition chamfered 0.1 – 0.5 mm as standard
RFQ inputs PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec

Process window

CNC Machining earns its place through complex 3D geometry – pockets, steps, counterbores and compound edges in one setup. Its boundary condition – internal corners carry a minimum radius equal to the smallest practical tool, typically R0.5 mm – is the first thing our DFM review checks.

Beyond this page, FTO Coated Glass routinely runs through drilling, dicing, laser cutting, edge grinding in our shop – most real parts combine two or three of these steps.

DFM notes from the shop floor

The shop-floor rules that matter here:

  • Material note: the harder FTO film abrades diamond tooling faster and edges need post-cut inspection for film lift.
  • Process boundary: internal corners carry a minimum radius equal to the smallest practical tool, typically R0.5 mm.
  • 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

Orders for cnc machining fto coated glass cluster in aerospace optics (sensor windows, star-tracker flats, radiation-tolerant ports); mems devices (cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids); scientific instruments (reference flats, cells, prism mounts, stage inserts). Background reading on the underlying material science: ScienceDirect: FTO glass.

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.

Engineers scoping this work usually also review CNC machining capability, custom FTO glass, JGS1 quartz glass.

Common questions

What equipment runs the cnc machining work?

4-axis machining centers with diamond tooling and through-spindle coolant.

Is there a minimum order for cnc machining fto coated glass?

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.

Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in August 2026.

Configure in 3D, draw in 2D

3D Model & 2D Drawing Builder

PRECISION GLASS 3D
3D Precision Glass Configurator Build a visual 3D preview for custom precision glass parts, including wafers, microfluidic chips, coated glass, optical filters, and machined quartz plates. This tool is for visual configuration only. Final dimensions, tolerances, materials, coatings, and manufacturability will be reviewed from your drawing or specification.
3D GLASS PREVIEW Visual Specification

Custom Glass Builder

Interactive visual preview for custom precision glass configuration.

SP SPEC SUMMARY:
Import Code (One-Click Recall)

Save this code before you leave — it is the only way to recall this exact model. If you lose it, your configuration cannot be restored.

SUBMIT RFQ — ENGINEERING REVIEW Your current 3D configuration and specification summary are attached automatically. Attach a drawing if you have one.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if my part does not match any standard builder?

Use the custom glass builder: choose shape (including ring or drawing-defined), size, thickness, optional holes, coating and edge/surface finish, set a tolerance, preview it in 3D and attach a drawing to the RFQ.

Which materials can the custom builder use?

Fused silica, quartz, JGS1/JGS2, Borofloat 33, alkali-free and borosilicate glass, optical and soda-lime glass, or a named custom material such as sapphire or Zerodur.

Need a different product family? Open the full 3D + 2D builder.

Engineering Review

Have a drawing for this process?

Upload it with your RFQ - engineering replies with a DFM note and firm lead time.