Optical Glass Machining Services: Optical Glass (CTE 7.1 x 10^-6 /K, 350 nm – 2.0 um). Single-piece prototypes to production volumes, quoted from your drawing.
When a drawing calls out Optical Glass, three numbers matter before any machining starts: CTE of 7.1 x 10^-6 /K, service temperature to 400 C (Tg 557 C), and a transmission window of 350 nm – 2.0 um. optical glass machining services here begin with those numbers and end with dimensional reports.
Key parameters
| Material | Optical Glass (N-BK7, H-K9L and filter glass sets) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 7.1 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 400 C (Tg 557 C) |
| Transmission range | 350 nm – 2.0 um |
| Density | 2.51 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 610 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.5168 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.30 – 50 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 300 mm diameter |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Design guidance
Before sending the RFQ, check these against your drawing:
- Material note: index-certified blanks must be oriented and serialized through the shop to keep melt traceability.
- 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.
Capabilities and limits
One material, many routes: on Optical Glass we also quote sandblasting, etching, dicing, lapping, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.
Where these parts end up
optical glass machining services shows up across laser systems (windows, beam splitters, debris shields); scientific instruments (reference flats, cells, prism mounts, stage inserts); machine vision (camera windows, ring-light diffusers, calibration plates). Background reading on the underlying material science: RP Photonics: optical 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.
Related reading on this site: optical polishing capability, CCD screening plates, high-purity quartz guide.
Frequently asked questions
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 Optical Glass parts?
Ground features hold +/-0.01 mm and lapped thickness reaches +/-0.003 mm. Index-certified blanks must be oriented and serialized through the shop to keep melt traceability.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in August 2026.