Felix Glass Expands Custom Optical Dome Solutions for ADAS and Machine Vision
Company News · Custom Optical Domes
Felix Glass Expands Custom Optical Dome Solutions for ADAS, Machine Vision and Surveillance Systems
The expanded program supports drawing-based borosilicate and sapphire domes engineered around optical field of view, sensor position, environmental exposure and mechanical integration.
Optical Protection Without Treating the Dome as “Just a Cover”
- Field-of-view and sensor-position review
- Material and coating selection by wavelength
- Geometry, wall thickness and interface control
- Project-specific inspection and qualification scope
Dongguan Felix Glass Co., Ltd., a custom precision optical components manufacturer, has expanded its optical dome program for automotive sensing development, industrial machine vision and surveillance camera applications.
Unlike a flat protective window, a dome surrounds the optical axis with a curved interface. Dome radius, wall uniformity, concentricity, sensor location and coating all influence image quality, reflection behavior and usable field of view. Felix Glass therefore reviews the dome together with the customer's optical and mechanical system requirements.
The program includes borosilicate and sapphire options, customized geometry, optical polishing, edge and flange configurations, application-matched anti-reflection coatings and agreed inspection documentation. Final performance is confirmed against the approved drawing and project acceptance criteria.
System-Level Engineering
Four Design Factors That Determine Dome Performance
A credible dome specification connects optical geometry, material, coating and installation rather than relying on a single transmission number.
Sensor Position
The entrance pupil and sensor location relative to the dome center can affect refraction, image distortion and field-dependent performance.
Concentric Geometry
Outer and inner radii, wall thickness, aperture and concentricity are reviewed as a connected geometry rather than isolated dimensions.
Spectral Requirement
Material and AR coating are selected around the operating wavelength, angle range, sensor sensitivity and target reflection or transmission.
Environment & Mount
Temperature, moisture, abrasion, vibration, sealing, adhesive and housing loads influence material and interface recommendations.
Performance clarification: “Up to 99.8% transmission” is not used as a universal finished-dome claim. Achieved transmission depends on wavelength, material grade, thickness, surface quality, coating, angle of incidence and measurement method.
Material Selection
Borosilicate or Sapphire: Match the Material to the Risk
Borosilicate Optical Dome
A practical option for visible-light camera protection where thermal stability, optical clarity and cost balance are important. Exact glass grade and environmental suitability are confirmed for the application.
Sapphire Optical Dome
Selected where high surface hardness, abrasion resistance, mechanical strength or more demanding outdoor exposure justifies the material and processing cost.
Selection note: Material names alone do not establish impact rating, thermal-shock capability or regulatory compliance. Required test standards, sample size, pass/fail limits and third-party needs should be stated in the RFQ.
Specification Checklist
What Makes an Optical Dome RFQ Quotable
Providing the following information reduces clarification cycles and helps align the quotation with actual system acceptance.
| Dome geometry | Outer/inner diameter, outer/inner radius, wall thickness, dome height, angular coverage, clear aperture and flange details. |
|---|---|
| Optical system | Camera or sensor type, lens entrance-pupil position, field of view, operating distance and permissible image distortion. |
| Spectral band | Operating wavelength or range, target transmission/reflection, angle of incidence and polarization where relevant. |
| Optical tolerances | Surface quality, surface form, concentricity, wedge, wall uniformity, clear aperture and cosmetic zones. |
| Coating | AR band, reflectance or transmission target, coated surfaces, environmental durability and cleaning requirements. |
| Mechanical interface | Housing, sealing groove, adhesive zone, flange, edge treatment, allowable load and assembly datum. |
| Environment | Temperature range, humidity, salt fog, sand/dust, abrasion, impact, vibration, pressure or immersion conditions. |
| Commercial scope | Prototype quantity, annual demand, delivery location, target date, documentation and qualification requirements. |
Application Development
Designed Around the Sensor and Its Operating Environment
Automotive Sensing Prototypes
Optical protection for camera and sensing development platforms where wide field of view, optical consistency and compact integration are important.
Industrial Camera Systems
Domes for robotic inspection, automated production, warehouse vision and cameras exposed to dust, contact or cleaning cycles.
Security & Monitoring Cameras
Custom covers for fixed, pan-tilt and wide-angle imaging systems used indoors or in outdoor enclosures.
Autonomous Platforms
Protective optical interfaces for mobile robots, unmanned equipment and multi-sensor perception modules.
Weather-Exposed Cameras
Material and coating evaluation for wind, rain, dust, UV exposure, cleaning and temperature changes.
Integrated Sensor Housings
Drawing-based domes adapted to the customer's aperture, flange, seal, adhesive, housing and assembly method.
Configuration Architecture
One Dome, Five Connected Decisions
Changing one layer can influence the rest of the assembly. Felix Glass reviews these interfaces together before approving the manufacturing route.
Project Workflow
From Drawing Review to Repeat Production
The process route is defined by material, geometry, tolerance, coating, test scope and quantity.
Review
Application, CAD, drawing, sensor location and acceptance criteria.
DFM
Geometry, tolerance, material, tooling and inspection feasibility.
Form
Blank preparation and geometry generation under the selected route.
Polish
Optical surface finishing, edge or flange processing and cleaning.
Coat
Application-specific coating when included in the approved specification.
Verify
Agreed dimensional, cosmetic, optical and documentation checks.
Quality Evidence
Testing Claims Must Match the Ordered Test Plan
Instead of stating that every dome automatically passes every automotive or environmental test, Felix Glass defines the required method, sample quantity and pass/fail criteria with the buyer. Testing may be performed as in-process inspection, finished-part verification or a separately quoted qualification program.
Buyer Workflow
A Faster Route to an Approved Prototype
Send Felix Glass
- 2D drawing and STEP/IGES model if available.
- Sensor, lens and field-of-view information.
- Wavelength, coating and image-quality requirements.
- Housing, seal, flange and mounting details.
- Environment, test standards, quantities and schedule.
Receive in the Review
- Material and geometry feasibility feedback.
- Identification of critical tolerance risks.
- Coating and inspection-scope clarification.
- Prototype-route and documentation proposal.
- Quotation with open technical assumptions identified.
Internal Resources
Related Optical Dome Solutions
Custom Optical Dome Manufacturer
Review full custom dome engineering and OEM project support.
Sapphire OpticsCustom Sapphire Dome Manufacturer
Explore hard, abrasion-resistant sapphire dome solutions.
Infrared OpticsCustom Infrared Optical Dome
See dome options developed for infrared imaging systems.
Technical FAQ
Common Questions About Custom Optical Domes
Can one dome design work for every camera field of view?
No. Dome radii, wall thickness and the camera entrance-pupil position can affect refraction and image quality. The optical layout should be reviewed for the intended field of view.
Is borosilicate or sapphire better for an outdoor camera?
It depends on abrasion, impact risk, temperature, cleaning, required life and budget. Borosilicate may suit many conventional visible-camera systems; sapphire is considered for harder wear and more demanding protection.
Can Felix Glass guarantee 99.8% transmission?
A universal 99.8% finished-dome claim would be misleading. Transmission must be defined by wavelength, coated surfaces, incidence angle, material, thickness, clear aperture and test method. Felix Glass evaluates a measurable target from the RFQ.
Can you add an anti-reflection coating?
Yes, subject to technical review. Please specify the operating band, target reflectance or transmission, angle range, environment and coated surfaces.
Can impact, vibration and environmental tests be provided?
Applicable tests can be evaluated when the standard, fixture, sample quantity, cycle and pass/fail criteria are supplied. Testing and third-party certification are quoted according to the agreed scope.
Do you support prototypes and small quantities?
Prototype and sample-approval programs can be discussed before repeat production. MOQ and lead time depend on material, size, geometry, tooling, coating and inspection requirements.
Can a flange, sealing edge or custom opening be included?
Flange geometry, edge profiles and mechanical interface features can be evaluated from the 2D and 3D files. Sealing and assembly loads should be included in the design review.
Engineering RFQ
Start Your Custom Optical Dome Project
Attach the drawing and describe the camera, sensor, field of view, material, wavelength, environment and validation requirements.
