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Custom Fresnel Lenses

PMMA Acrylic and Glass Fresnel Lenses

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Find out more about our custom Fresnel lenses

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Global leaders in custom optical solutions
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All optical components 100% QA checked
ISO14001 & ISO9001 certified

Knight Optical offers a range of custom Fresnel lenses made from PMMA Acrylic or glass made to your custom specification. Our custom PMMA Fresnel lenses are available in two grades. Our custom “standard range” start from 5mm f.l x 5mm diameter aperture up to 254mm f.l x 152mm dia aperture.

Our precision custom range has tight tolerances with improved surface quality and comes in large aperture sizes. Our precision range of Fresnel lenses starts at 22.2mm f.l x 44.4mm aperture up to 600mm f.l x 600mm dia aperture. Custom precision grade fresnel PMMA lenses are ideal for simulators and projection systems. We can also supply a range of custom cylindrical Fresnel lenses. These custom Fresnel lenses have a range of square and circular apertures and can easily but cut to smaller sizes or edged to custom diameters. We provide a range of uncoated custom Fresnel lenses however can also supply antireflective coated Fresnel lenses at short notice. We also offer high-quality custom glass Fresnel lenses where required.

Fresnel lenses consist of a flat surface with interspaced, concentric steps whereby each step corresponds to the surface of a conventional lens. Each step thereby acts as a refractive surface, much like a prism. This gives the Fresnel lens a common focal length equivalent to a traditional lens, but with a fraction of the thickness. Additionally, because the lens is so thin little light is lost by absorption. Although the image quality is generally poor, Fresnel lenses can be desirable for use in condenser and lighting systems to collimate and collect light. Fresnel lenses can be used as magnifiers, but this is not recommended unless the thin profile and light weight is absolutely necessary.

Every component is individually tested by our highly skilled technicians in our state of the art metrology lab to ensure all components meet our high-quality standards.Contact our multilingual technical sales team and discover how Knight Optical’s high-quality custom Fresnel lenses can improve your instrumentation and supply chain experience.

PMMA Acrylic and Glass Fresnel Lenses

Speak to our experts about your Custom Fresnel Lens needs today

Call +44 (0)1622 859444 Call +1 401 583 7846

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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

    A Fresnel lens is a type of compact lens originally designed for lighthouses, which allows for the construction of large aperture and short focal length lenses without the mass and volume of material that would be required by a conventional lens. Unlike traditional lenses, which have a continuous curved surface, Fresnel lenses use a series of concentric annular sections to focus light. This design significantly reduces the thickness and weight of the lens, making it ideal for applications where size and weight are critical factors.

    Fresnel lenses are utilised in a variety of applications due to their unique lightweight and thin profile. Common uses include lighthouses, where they were originally employed to focus and project light over long distances. Today, they are also used in solar power generation, to concentrate sunlight onto a small area; in theatre spotlights, to focus light with precision; as magnifiers in overhead projectors and reading glasses; and in camera and car headlights, to distribute light evenly across a wide area.

    Fresnel lenses can be made from several materials, including glass and various types of plastic. Glass Fresnel lenses are durable and offer excellent optical clarity, making them suitable for applications like lighthouses and high-quality projectors. Plastic Fresnel lenses, made from materials like acrylic and polycarbonate, are lighter and more cost-effective, which makes them ideal for portable magnifiers, solar concentrators, and consumer products where flexibility and cost are important considerations.

    Choosing the right Fresnel lens depends on several factors, including the application’s specific requirements for size, focal length, and light transmission. For applications requiring high optical clarity and durability, such as in a lighthouse or high-quality projector, a glass Fresnel lens might be the best choice. For portable applications or those requiring a large, lightweight lens, such as a solar concentrator or a magnifying sheet, a plastic Fresnel lens would be more suitable. Consideration should also be given to the lens’s focal length, which determines how far the lens can effectively focus light.

    Yes, Fresnel lenses are often used as magnifiers due to their ability to focus light and magnify objects without the bulk and weight of traditional magnifying glasses. They are commonly found in handheld magnifiers, reading aids, and even in large-format visual aids for the visually impaired. Their lightweight and thin profile make them particularly useful for large magnifying sheets that can be placed over text for easy reading.


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