Custom Optical Glass Domes for Cameras, LiDAR, Sensors & Underwater Systems
Felix Glass manufactures custom BK7 / H-K9L optical domes
engineered to your diameter, radius, height, thickness, clear aperture,
optical requirements and mounting interface.
From prototype quantities to production orders, we provide integrated
CNC machining, precision grinding, optical polishing,
AR / BBAR coating and dimensional & optical inspection
based on your approved drawing and application requirements.
BK7 / H-K9LCustom Dome GeometryOptical PolishingAR / BBAR Coating1-Piece Prototype
A complete optical drawing is not required to start an initial RFQ review.
Send the information or reference component you currently have and Felix Glass
can review the basic manufacturing requirements.
ENGINEERING CHALLENGES
What Can Go Wrong With a Custom Optical Dome?
Optical dome performance depends on more than the glass material.
Geometry, optical surfaces, coating, mounting requirements and
production consistency all need to work together.
01
Material Selection
BK7 and H-K9L are widely used optical glasses, but the correct choice
depends on wavelength, optical performance, geometry, environment and
project specifications.
02
Complex Dome Geometry
Diameter, radius, height, wall thickness, clear aperture, edge
geometry and mounting features must remain consistent with the
approved mechanical design.
03
Optical Distortion
Dome geometry can influence the optical path, field of view and
imaging performance. Mechanical dimensions alone do not define
optical performance.
04
Surface Quality
Precision machining must be followed by appropriate grinding and
optical polishing when the dome is part of an imaging or optical path.
05
Reflection Loss
Uncoated optical surfaces can introduce reflection losses. AR or BBAR
coating should be selected according to wavelength, incidence and
system requirements.
06
Prototype Consistency
A prototype is only useful when the approved dimensional and optical
requirements can be carried forward into pilot and production quantities.
ENGINEERING VALUE
A Custom BK7 / H-K9L Dome Built Around Your Optical System
Felix Glass does not treat an optical dome as a simple glass component.
The manufacturing approach starts with the relationship between
material, geometry, optical surfaces, coating and mechanical interface.
This allows the dome to be developed around the actual requirements of
cameras, sensors, LiDAR systems, underwater imaging equipment and other
optical instruments.
Custom Geometry
Dome diameter, radius, height, thickness, clear aperture, edge and
mounting features manufactured from approved specifications.
Optical Polishing
Precision grinding and optical polishing for applications requiring
controlled optical surfaces.
AR / BBAR Coating
Application-specific anti-reflection coating options based on the
operating wavelength and optical system.
Engineering Review
Material, geometry, wavelength, clear aperture, coating and mounting
requirements reviewed before production.
Prototype Capability
Prototype quantities can be used for engineering validation before
pilot and production orders.
PRODUCT CONFIGURATION ARCHITECTURE
Configure the Optical Dome Around Your Requirements
Each optical dome can be specified by material, substrate grade,
precision processing, coating and optional finishing requirements.
01
Base Glass Material
BK7 / H-K9L
Optical glass substrates selected according to the required optical,
dimensional and application requirements.
Customer-specified optical glass grades can be reviewed and processed
according to project requirements and material availability.
03
Precision Processing
CNC / Grinding / Polishing / Edge / Mounting
Precision machining and optical finishing for custom dome geometry,
clear aperture and mechanical interface requirements.
04
Functional Coatings / Surface Treatments
AR / BBAR / Application-Specific Coatings
Coating selection can be matched to wavelength, optical performance,
environmental exposure and system requirements.
05
Printing & Decorative Finishing
Optional / Application-Specific
Silk-screen printing or decorative finishing is available when
required by the mechanical or product design.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Custom BK7 / H-K9L Optical Dome Specifications
Final specifications are confirmed against the approved drawing,
application requirements and agreed inspection criteria.
Product
BK7 / H-K9L Optical Dome
Material
BK7 / N-BK7 / H-K9L / Other Customer-Specified Optical Glass
Operating Wavelength
Visible / Near-IR / Application-Specific
Geometry
Hemispherical / Spherical / Custom Dome Geometry
Diameter
Custom
Radius
Custom
Height
Custom
Thickness
Custom / Drawing-Specified
Clear Aperture
Custom / Drawing-Specified
Optical Axis
Drawing-Specified
Dimensional Tolerance
Drawing / Application-Dependent
Concentricity
Application-Dependent
Optical Surface
Ground / Polished
Surface Quality
Application-Dependent
Surface Figure
Application-Dependent
Coating
AR / BBAR / Custom
Coating Band
Application-Dependent
Mounting Interface
Custom
Edge / Bevel
Custom
Environmental Requirement
Application-Dependent
Inspection
Dimensional / Optical / Surface / Coating
Prototype
1 Piece Available
Production
Prototype / Small Batch / Production
Engineering note:
Optical performance and final tolerances should be defined according to
the complete optical system rather than selected from a generic dome specification.
REAL PRODUCT GALLERY
Custom BK7 / H-K9L Optical Dome Products
Real optical dome product images are presented separately from application and manufacturing evidence.
Multi-Size Optical Dome Range
Multiple custom dome diameters for prototype and production requirements.
Custom Dome Size Options
Different clear dome sizes manufactured to approved geometry.
Precision Optical Elements
Curved optical glass components for custom optical assemblies.
Flanged Optical Dome
Custom flange and mounting geometry for mechanical integration.
Matched Dome Components
Custom hemispherical components manufactured to drawing requirements.
Optically Polished Dome
Transparent polished dome surface for imaging and optical systems.
Custom Hemispherical Dome
Drawing-based diameter, radius, height, thickness and clear aperture.
Prototype Optical Domes
Custom dome samples for engineering validation and repeat production.
APPLICATIONS
BK7 / H-K9L Optical Domes for Optical Equipment
Custom dome geometry and optical finishing can be developed around
the optical path, mechanical interface and operating environment of the equipment.
Camera Systems
Protective optical domes for industrial cameras, security cameras,
imaging equipment and specialized optical assemblies.
LiDAR & 3D Sensing
Custom optical glass dome components for systems where geometry,
wavelength and optical path must be coordinated.
Underwater Imaging
Custom glass domes for underwater cameras, ROV systems and marine
optical equipment, subject to pressure, sealing and mounting requirements.
Optical Sensors
Custom optical protection and transmission components for sensor
assemblies requiring controlled optical surfaces.
Machine Vision
Optical dome components for machine vision and inspection systems
where imaging performance and dimensional consistency matter.
Optical Instruments
Precision glass dome components for measurement, scientific and
specialized optical instruments.
MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES
From Optical Glass Blank to Finished Custom Dome
Felix Glass integrates precision machining and optical finishing
processes to support custom optical dome production from prototype
through production.
CNC MachiningCustom dome geometry and mechanical features
5-Axis CNCComplex geometry and multi-surface machining requirements
GrindingPrecision dimensional and surface preparation
Optical PolishingOptical surface finishing for imaging and optical systems
AR / BBAR CoatingApplication-specific optical coating options
InspectionDimensional, optical, surface and coating inspection capability
One Manufacturing Path From Prototype to Production
Custom optical dome projects can move through a controlled sequence
from engineering review to prototype, validation, pilot quantity
and production.
01
Engineering Review
Review drawing, material, geometry, wavelength, coating and mounting requirements.
02
Specification Confirmation
Confirm approved dimensions, optical requirements and inspection criteria.
03
Prototype
1-piece engineering prototype available for project validation.
04
Validation & Pilot
Move into pilot or small-batch production after prototype approval.
05
Mass Production
Production based on the approved drawing and agreed quality requirements.
COMMERCIAL DELIVERY
MOQ1 Piece Prototype Available
Prototype Lead TimeTypically 3–5 Working Days*
Production Lead TimeTypically 10–15 Working Days*
*Lead time depends on material availability, dome geometry, coating,
inspection requirements and order quantity. Final delivery timing
is confirmed during engineering review.
MATERIAL SELECTION GUIDE
BK7 vs H-K9L: Which Optical Glass Should You Choose?
Material selection should be based on wavelength, optical performance,
geometry, environment, coating requirements and the procurement specification.
There is no universal “best” optical glass for every dome application.
Selection Factor
BK7 / N-BK7
H-K9L
When to Review Other Glass
Optical Use
Common optical glass choice
Common optical glass choice
When system requirements exceed the selected grade
Visible Systems
Commonly used
Commonly used
Application-dependent
Near-IR Systems
Application-dependent
Application-dependent
Review material transmission requirements
Material Specification
Customer-specified grade available
Customer-specified grade available
Consider alternative optical glass
Procurement Requirement
Useful when a branded or specified grade is required
Useful when H-K9L is specified or approved
Review customer drawing / approved material list
Final Selection
Confirm according to wavelength, optical path, geometry,
environment, coating and system-level requirements.
When to Choose BK7 / N-BK7
Consider BK7 / N-BK7 when the optical system, customer drawing or
approved material specification calls for this glass grade and its
optical characteristics meet the system requirements.
When to Choose H-K9L
H-K9L can be considered when the project specifies H-K9L or an
approved comparable optical glass and the material meets the
required optical and manufacturing criteria.
When Another Optical Glass Is Needed
Consider another material when wavelength transmission, thermal
performance, environmental exposure, refractive properties or other
system requirements cannot be adequately addressed by BK7 / H-K9L.
Not sure which material to specify?
Send your operating wavelength, application, approximate dimensions
and optical requirements. Felix Glass can review the initial material direction.
QUALITY ASSURANCE & MANUFACTURING EVIDENCE
Controlled Production From Raw Glass to Final Inspection
Manufacturing quality is controlled through process steps, dimensional
verification, optical inspection and final product inspection.
The exact workflow is adjusted to the product configuration.
01Raw Material Inspection
Verify material and incoming substrate requirements.
02Precision Cutting
Prepare optical glass blanks for the required geometry.
03CNC Machining
Machine custom dome geometry and mechanical features.
04Grinding & Edge Processing
Control dimensions, edges and surface preparation.
05Polishing / Surface Finishing
Produce the required optical surface finish.
06Product-Specific Treatment
Tempering or chemical strengthening only when required by the product.
07Coating / Silk-Screen Printing
Apply AR / BBAR coating or optional printing when specified.
08Final Optical & Dimensional Inspection
Verify agreed dimensional, optical, surface and coating requirements.
QC CAPABILITY
Inspection Areas
Dimensional inspection
Optical inspection
Surface inspection
Coating inspection
Drawing-based verification
Final product inspection
MANUFACTURING EVIDENCE
Integrated Production Capability
Felix Glass integrates cutting, CNC machining, grinding,
optical polishing, coating and inspection to reduce the
need to coordinate multiple optical processing suppliers.
Product-specific inspection criteria are established from the
approved drawing and agreed engineering requirements.
RELATED RESOURCES
Explore Related Optical Glass Solutions
Continue from the product page to related products, materials,
application solutions and engineering knowledge.
BK7 / N-BK7 and H-K9L are commonly used optical glass materials with
comparable applications, but the exact optical properties depend on
the specific material grade and supplier. Final selection should be
based on the approved material specification and system requirements.
Can Felix Glass manufacture custom-size BK7 optical domes?
Yes. Felix Glass manufactures custom optical domes according to
customer drawings, CAD data, dimensions and application requirements.
Can you manufacture H-K9L optical domes?
Yes. H-K9L can be processed into custom optical dome geometries
according to the required dimensions, optical surfaces and specifications.
Can BK7 / H-K9L optical domes receive AR coating?
Yes. AR and BBAR coating options can be considered according to
wavelength, incidence conditions and the optical system requirements.
Are BK7 / H-K9L domes suitable for LiDAR?
They can be suitable for certain LiDAR systems depending on the
operating wavelength, optical path, transmission requirements,
geometry and environmental conditions. Felix Glass can review the
application before confirming material selection.
Can you manufacture optical domes for underwater cameras?
Yes. Custom optical glass domes can be manufactured for underwater
imaging applications. Pressure, sealing, mounting, geometry and
environmental requirements should be included in the engineering review.
Can I order only one prototype?
Yes. A 1-piece prototype is available for engineering validation,
subject to project requirements and material availability.
Do I need a complete optical drawing to request a quote?
No. You can start with approximate dimensions, material preference,
wavelength, application or a reference sample. A complete approved
drawing can be finalized during engineering review.
Can Felix Glass work from an existing sample?
Yes. A reference component or sample can be used as an input for
engineering review, subject to the information available and
applicable manufacturing requirements.
Can you manufacture custom mounting or edge features?
Yes. Edge, bevel and mounting interface requirements can be incorporated
into the approved mechanical drawing.
REQUEST A CUSTOM OPTICAL DOME QUOTE
Send Your BK7 / H-K9L Optical Dome Requirements
Send the information you already have. Felix Glass can review the
material, geometry, optical and manufacturing requirements before quotation.
