Custom Molded Glass Lenses
Molded glass lenses reproduce an optical surface and its mechanical mounting features directly from precision tooling. They are used when the lens must combine beam control, thermal stability and repeatable geometry in production quantities.
China Lampoptics produces convex and condenser lenses and develops molded optical parts from prescriptions, drawings or approved samples. The optical surface, outside diameter, flange or seat and glass grade are defined as one controlled component.
Molded Lens Types
| Lens type | Optical function | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Plano-convex lens | Collects or focuses light with one flat surface | Spotlights, condensers and sensors |
| Bi-convex lens | Provides positive optical power from two convex surfaces | Illumination and imaging assemblies |
| Meniscus lens | Combines convex and concave surfaces | Beam shaping and optoelectronic systems |
| Cylindrical lens | Focuses or spreads light in one axis | Line generation and elongated beams |
| Aspheric lens | Uses a non-spherical profile to manage aberration or beam shape | Compact LED and laser optics |
| Flanged or special-shaped lens | Integrates optical and mounting geometry | Vehicle, industrial and custom luminaires |
Optical Specifications
| Glass grade / refractive index | ____ |
|---|---|
| Design wavelength | ____ nm |
| Effective focal length | ____ mm |
| Back focal length | ____ mm |
| Clear aperture | ____ mm |
| Surface radii / aspheric data | ____ |
| Surface-form tolerance | ____ |
| Centration / wedge | ____ |
| Transmission | ____ |
| Surface quality | ____ |
Focal length alone is not a complete molding specification. The released optical prescription must use one sign convention and coordinate system and must be tied to the mechanical datum that locates the lens in the fixture.
Mechanical and Mounting Data
| Outside diameter or envelope | ____ mm |
|---|---|
| Center thickness | ____ mm |
| Edge thickness | ____ mm |
| Flange / seat | ____ |
| Orientation feature | ____ |
| Dimensional tolerance | ____ |
| Edge finish | ____ |
| Coated face identification | ____ |
For lenses with a flange, tab, notch or asymmetric profile, the optical axis and feature orientation must be controlled together.
Glass Molding Capabilities
Lampoptics has dedicated optical-lens and mold workshops plus two electric furnaces, two electric annealing furnaces and three automatic production lines. Tooling and trial parts can be developed from customer optical and mechanical data.
Compatible lenses may receive coating or drilling after molding. Available glass grades, lens size range, molding tolerance and optical metrology are ____.
Molded Glass Lens Processing
Optical Design Review
Surface data, focal targets, source position, clear aperture and mechanical datums are reviewed before tooling.
Precision Mold Tooling
Optical and mechanical surfaces are transferred into matched tooling with controlled alignment and surface finish.
Glass Molding and Annealing
Conditioned glass is molded to the lens form and cooled under a controlled cycle to limit residual stress and distortion.
Optical Inspection
Surface form, focal performance, centration, dimensions and cosmetic quality are checked to the approved inspection plan.
Applications
- Automotive and motorcycle lighting: headlamp, fog-lamp and signal optics
- Spotlights and projectors: convex and condenser lenses
- Stage and entertainment lighting: beam-forming and condenser elements
- Industrial luminaires: heat-stable glass lenses for LED and lamp sources
- Sensors and instruments: meniscus, cylindrical and special-shaped optics
Molded Glass Lens FAQs
What information defines a molded glass lens?
The optical prescription, glass grade, mechanical drawing, clear aperture, tolerances and coating requirement define the part.
Can Lampoptics reproduce a lens from a sample?
A sample can support reverse engineering, but functional approval should use focal or beam data in addition to dimensional comparison.
Can mounting features be molded with the lens?
Flanges, seats and orientation features can be integrated when the optical surface, wall transition and mold release permit.
Can molded lenses be coated?
Lampoptics has coating capability. The wavelength range, angle, coated face and durability requirement are ____.
Which glass grades are available?
Lampoptics optical glass grades and their refractive-index and transmission data are ____.
