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Find out more about our custom plastic lenses
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Known for their blend of affordability and versatility unmatched by traditional materials, plastic lenses have carved a niche for themselves. Plastic lens optics’ cost is the general reason for their popularity, particularly when purchased in large quantities.
Knight Optical offer a range of plastic optical lenses, which are tailored to meet diverse specifications, including custom sizes and focal lengths. We also specialise in creating bespoke sets of plastic lenses, providing comprehensive solutions for various optical requirements.
Despite the common perception that plastic lenses may not match the quality of their glass counterparts, the advantages of plastic optics in certain applications cannot be overstated. One of the key benefits is their lightweight nature, making plastic optical lenses particularly suitable for handheld devices and other applications where reducing weight is crucial. Our sets of plastic lenses are designed to seamlessly replace glass lenses in many forms, including planoconvex, planoconcave, meniscus, and aspheric designs.
Our expertise extends to offering a wide array of custom singlets and plastic lens sets, ensuring competitiveness in both lower- and higher-quality production runs. By leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies such as CNC machining or moulding, coupled with cost-effective tooling, we cater to your specific needs without compromising on quality or performance. The plastic lens optics cost advantage, when compared as plastic lenses vs glass lenses, is significant, providing a cost-efficient alternative without sacrificing functionality. Our capabilities in plastic optical lens production are detailed in our custom plastic lens capabilities sheet, showcasing our commitment to delivering high-quality, precision-engineered optical components.
Explore our plastic lenses offerings and learn more about how we can tailor our plastic optical lenses to your specific requirements, providing solutions that balance cost, quality, and performance.
Speak to our experts about your Custom Plastic Lenses needs today
Call +44 (0)1622 859444 Call +1 401 583 7846Make a quick enquiry about Custom Plastic Lenses Now
Dive into the forefront of optical solutions. Got questions about an optical product? Reach out now and let our expertise guide you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are plastic lenses and how are they used in optics?
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Plastic lenses are optical components made from transparent plastic materials, such as polycarbonate, acrylic (PMMA), or CR-39. They are widely used in a variety of applications, including eyewear, cameras, lighting fixtures, and medical devices, due to their lightweight, impact-resistant properties. These lenses can be designed to improve vision, focus light, and protect sensitive equipment, making them versatile in both everyday items and specialised optical instruments.
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How do plastic lenses compare to glass lenses in terms of performance and use?
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Plastic lenses offer several advantages over glass lenses, including being lighter weight and more resistant to impact, which makes them safer and more comfortable for eyewear. However, glass lenses typically provide superior optical clarity and are more resistant to scratching. The choice between plastic and glass lenses depends on the specific requirements of the application, such as the need for durability, weight considerations, and optical quality.
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What are the benefits of using plastic optical lenses?
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The benefits of using plastic optical lenses include their lightweight nature, which enhances comfort for wearers of eyeglasses and head-mounted devices. They also offer excellent impact resistance, making them ideal for sports eyewear, children’s glasses, and safety goggles. Additionally, plastic lenses can be easily moulded into a variety of shapes, allowing for more flexible design options in optical systems.
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Are plastic lenses more affordable than glass lenses, and how does cost affect quality?
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Generally, plastic lenses can be more affordable than glass lenses due to lower material and manufacturing costs. However, the cost-effectiveness of plastic lenses does not necessarily mean a compromise in quality. Advances in plastic optical materials and coating technologies have significantly improved the optical performance and durability of plastic lenses, making them a viable option for many high-precision optical applications. The cost will vary depending on specific lens requirements, such as coatings, prescriptions, or customisations.
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What factors should I consider when choosing plastic lenses for my optical needs?
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When choosing plastic lenses, consider factors such as the optical clarity required, weight considerations, impact resistance needs, and whether the lenses will be used in environments prone to scratching. Additionally, evaluate the specific optical properties needed, such as refractive index and chromatic aberration control. Consulting with specialists like us at Knight Optical can help ensure you select the best plastic lens material and design for your application. Get in touch for advice today.
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How do I care for and maintain plastic optical lenses to ensure longevity?
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Caring for and maintaining plastic optical lenses involves regularly cleaning them with a microfibre cloth and a lens cleaning solution to prevent scratches and remove debris. It’s also advisable to store lenses in a protective case when not in use and to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures and chemicals that could damage the lens surface. Applying an appropriate protective coating can also enhance scratch resistance and extend the life of plastic lenses.
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Knight Optical is dedicated to enhancing your product and supply chain with our high-quality custom plastic lenses. Our multilingual technical sales team is ready to assist you in discovering how our plastic optical lenses can improve your project, combining lightweight design with cost efficiency and optical precision.
With our in-house state-of-the-art metrology laboratory you can be confident that your optical components will meet your requirements. You can find out more about our testing facilities here.
Operating for over 30 years
Knight Optical has been operating for over 30 years, with our managing director Colin Overton at the helm. Over this time, we have become a global leader in the production and distribution of scientific optical components and bringing quality into focus for all of our products and services that we provide.
Our 2022/2023 Catalogue
Inside Knight Optical’s catalogue you’ll find details of the industries we serve as well as the many other services we can offer. It also showcases hundreds of our most popular products, supported by useful technical information, to help you choose the right part for your application.
Click below to view our digital catalogue now.