Custom biconvex lenses

Biconvex Lenses, CNC Polished in Rye

Kingsview Optical makes custom biconvex lenses to your drawing for OEMs, instrument makers and research labs: equiconvex or with unequal radii, from 0.8mm to 100mm. We polish them on our Optotech CNC lines in Rye, then coat and measure them on the same site.

  • Made in Rye, East Sussex
  • CNC polished in Rye
  • Coated in-house
  • ISO 9001:2015
Send Your Lens Drawing See the Specification
Engineer running an Optotech CNC lens polishing machine in Rye
CNC lens polishing on our Optotech lines in Rye.
Lenses made here, start to finish. CNC polished, centred, coated and measured at our site in Rye.
See how we make them →
The basics

What a Biconvex Lens Does

In short: a biconvex lens has two convex surfaces, giving a positive focal length. It brings light to a focus. An equiconvex lens, with equal radii on both sides, performs best when the object and image are at similar distances.

Biconvex lenses are the natural choice for finite-conjugate work, where light is neither collimated going in nor coming out, such as 1:1 relay imaging. For focusing a collimated beam, a plano convex lens usually gives lower spherical aberration.

Splitting the bending across two curved surfaces lets a biconvex lens reach a short focal length with less steep curves than a plano convex lens of the same power, which suits compact, high-power positive optics.

For a custom lens, the main choices are diameter, the two radii (equal or unequal), centre thickness, glass and coating. Our CNC lines hold centre thickness tightly, which matters when the lens sits in a fixed cell.

Biconvex lens: two convex surfaces.
Ray trace of a biconvex lens bringing rays to a focus
Ray trace of a biconvex lens, from our optical design software.
Applications

Where Our Biconvex Lenses Are Used

Relay imaging1:1 and near-unit magnification imaging and relay optics.
CondensersCollecting and concentrating light in illumination systems.
Beam expandersThe positive elements of Keplerian beam expanders.
Projection opticsProjector and display optics.
MagnifiersInspection and measuring optics in instruments.
Machine visionImaging optics for inspection systems.
Specification

Biconvex Lens Specification

These are our standard tolerances. If your design needs tighter, tell us which parameter. We'll tell you honestly whether we can hold it, and what it adds to cost.

Diameter range0.8mm to 100mm
Diameter tolerance+0 / −0.05mm
Centre thickness tolerance±0.05mm
Radius tolerance0.5% of radius or better
Irregularityλ/4
Centration (wedge)±2 arcmin
Surface quality (scratch-dig)60/40
MaterialsSchott, Ohara and CDGM optical glass; fused silica
CoatingsBroadband AR (standard 425 to 650nm, wider on request), V-coat, single-layer MgF2, custom designs
Edge finishingBlackened edges, steps, bevels, flats, controlled apertures

Not sure what to specify? For biconvex lenses used at finite conjugates, centration and centre thickness usually matter most. Send the design and we'll help you check.

Options

Made to Fit Your System

CoatingsBroadband AR, V-coats and MgF2, applied in our own chambers
Edge featuresSteps, bevels, flats and blackened edges, CNC edged to suit your cell
Cells and housingsLens cells and barrels from our own machine shop AssemblyLenses fitted into cells and complete assemblies
Questions

Biconvex Lens Questions

Should I use a biconvex or a plano convex lens?
Use a biconvex lens when the object and image are at similar distances, such as 1:1 imaging. Use a plano convex lens when one side sees collimated light, such as focusing a laser beam. Each gives lower spherical aberration in its own case.
What is an equiconvex lens?
A biconvex lens with equal radii on both surfaces. It is symmetrical, so it works the same either way round, and it gives the lowest aberration near unit magnification.
What sizes and focal lengths can you make?
Diameters from 0.8mm to 100mm. The focal length depends on the radii and the glass, so tell us the focal length you need and we'll work out the radii, or send your own design.
Can you make biconvex lenses in volume?
Yes. Our Optotech CNC lines run the same program from prototype to production, so the lenses you approve are made the same way at volume.
What do you need to quote?
Diameter, the two radii or the focal length, centre thickness, glass, coating and quantity, or a drawing to ISO 10110 with the same information.

Other Lenses We Manufacture

Plano-convex Plano-concave Biconvex Biconcave Meniscus Achromatic doublets Achromatic triplets

Or see our full precision optical lens manufacturing capability, and our optical design service if you need a lens designed.

Getting a Quote for Biconvex Lenses

Send us your drawing or lens design data. An engineer from the team that would make your lenses, not a sales team, will review it. They'll tell you plainly what's achievable and what will drive cost.

What to send

  • Diameter, radii or focal length, or a drawing (PDF or ISO 10110)
  • Centre thickness
  • Glass type and wavelength
  • Coating requirement
  • Quantities: prototypes and expected production volumes

What happens next

  1. An engineer reviews itWithin one working day, flagging anything that will drive cost or lead time.
  2. We quote the lensFor the prototype, and for production at your volumes.
  3. We make, measure and deliverAll in Rye, with inspection data if you need it.
Start Your RFQ

Need a Custom Biconvex Lens?

Send your drawing or lens design data. We'll tell you honestly how we'd make it, what it will cost and how long it will take.

Send Your Lens Drawing Call 01797 226202
Made in Rye, East Sussex. NDA-friendly. Defence and security work welcome. ISO 9001:2015.