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This section provides an overview for ball lenses as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 27 ball lens manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked ball lens companies as of December, 2024: 1.Hobbite, 2.SUMITA, 3.Newport Corporation.
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Ball Lenses
A ball lens is a spherical lens with an extremely short focal length and high light-collecting ability compared to a normal convex lens.
Because of their short focal length, ball lenses are used as coupling elements for various sensors and optical fibers to focus a wide range of light to a single point or for collimating (converging light into a parallel state).
Generally, ball lenses with diameters ranging from 0.5 mm to 10 mm are produced as products, and extremely small focal lengths of 0.3 mm to 7.3 mm are realized.
Ball lenses are used as light-collecting elements in optical sensors such as bar code scanners and endoscopes. Since these sensors require a smaller size and the ability to detect a wide range of optical information, the short focal length is directly related to the sensor's capability.
Ball lenses are also used to couple the light from the laser source to the optical fiber. By using a ball lens with an appropriate aperture for the beam diameter and numerical aperture (NA) of the laser beam, light diffused from the laser beam is aligned in a straight line and enters the optical fiber.
Since ball lenses are optical elements used in precision instruments, they cannot be shipped as products if they have a scratch or dust as small as 0.1 mm.
For the same reason as above, it is also difficult to automate the production process, and in many cases, transportation, inspection, and sorting are done manually. For this reason, the selling price tends to be high, ranging from several hundred dollars for a single ball lens.
The scope of quality assurance is also defined in detail for each product, and in addition to diameter and focal length, design wavelength, sphericity, surface quality, and eccentricity variation are also specified.
Single-glass (optical glass) materials, such as N-BK7 and N-SF15, are used for ball lenses. Ball lenses made of sapphire can be used in a wide range of wavelengths, from infrared to ultraviolet (wavelengths from 0.17 to 5.5 micrometers).
Products with anti-reflective coating surface treatment have markings for checking the optical axis printed on them so that the coated surface can be identified, and the markings must be wiped off with alcohol or the like when the product is used.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd. is a specialized enterprise dedicated to the precision grinding of sphere balls and optical lenses, committed to high-quality customization grinding and standard product grinding.We operate three specialized processing centers: the Optical and Transmission Center in Shandong (Zaozhuang), the Preform Processing Center in Jiangsu (Xuzhou), and the Optical Processing Center in Hubei (Xiangyang). In 2023, a global sales and service center was established in Chongqing. With years of experience and technical expertise, the company provides high-precision, consistent, and optically pristine products and technical solutions for fields such as optics, optical communication, mechanical power transmission, pumps and valves, instrumentation, and more. Serving a wide range of clients, including commercial enterprises, professional laboratories, and renowned universities…
Tower Optical Corporation is a provider and manufacturer of Precision optics, optical components and systems. The company is based in Florida, United States and was founded in 1978. The company products include Crystal Quartz Waveplates, Achromatic Waveplates (retarders), lenses, filters, and optical flats. The company stock and "build to spec" custom products are used in photonics technology, electro-optics, lasers, telecommunications, medical instruments, optical imaging and optical computing, and military systems. The company serves industries like aerospace, defense, medical, telecommunications, and more.
Ross Optical is based in Texas, USA, and is a manufacturer of optical assemblies and components that was established in 1983 as a subsidiary of the Precision Optics Corporation. The company offers custom optics such as aspherical lenses, complex assemblies such as optical systems, and standard optics such as beamsplitters. It also offers a range of specialized coatings including Rmax and anti-reflection coatings. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the automation, defense, and aerospace industries.
Swiss Jewel Company, founded in 1920 and headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, United States, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision synthetic sapphire, ruby, and glass components. The company's product line includes sapphire windows used for cryogenic view ports, jewel bearings used in precision instruments, and sapphire tubes used in the manufacture of light guides. It also works with other materials, including ceramics, silicon nitride, and fused silica, and welcomes clients to discuss custom optical component or mechanical component design and production.
Newport is a division of MKS Instruments, Inc. that was incorporated in 1961 and headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts. The company is a manufacturing company that serves the specialty industrial, advanced electronics, and semiconductor industries. The company markets its products through Spectra-Physics, MKS Instruments, Richardson Grating, and other brands. Their product categories include motion, optomechanics, optics, and vacuum instruments. Product categories include lasers, MKS vacuum & gas solutions, laser diode controls, and tables & isolation systems.
Hangzhou Shalom Electro-optics Technology Co. Ltd. is a manufacturer of industrial electro-optical products founded in 2010 and based in Zhejiang, China. The company produces various optics, substrates and crystals for use in the industrial sector. Its products include scintillation crystals for nuclear detection, infrared (IR) lenses for thermal imaging cameras, and crystals used in laser systems. The company's products are mainly used by clients in the laser and photonics, nuclear, and biological imaging sectors. It also offers engineering support for customers with unique projects.
Sugitoh Co Ltd, established in 1906, and based in Fujisawa, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of optical instruments. The product portfolio includes a diverse range of optical components like optical lens, prisms, special lens, C-mount metal component, beam splitter and other optical instruments. The company also offers optical parts for CCTV and lens, microscope, loupe, image equipment, test equipment, and glass process. The products are used mainly in the medical industry.
SUMITA New Glass & Fiber Optics, established in 1953, is a manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Saitama, Japan, specializing in the production and distribution of light and optical glass products. The company's range of products includes optical glass materials, aspherical/specialty lenses, optical devices, small lens units, and fiber optic components. These products find applications in industrial equipment, automobiles, medical devices, energy, and measurement devices. They hold certifications such as ISO9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO14001:2015.
CHUO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Chuo Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha), founded in 1955, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, specializing in precise positioning units as well as optical machines and equipment. The company’s portfolio includes automatic and motorized stages and actuators, manual mechanical stages, stage accessories, and controllers. Automatic stage applications include sample table of laser repair and mapping systems, whereas manual stage applications encompass camera position adjustment for glass substrate and/or film inspection systems and prober position adjustment. Further offerings include microscopes and tool scopes, automation products for microscopes, as well as optical accessories, components, and instruments.
Hobbit, founded in 2004 in Shenzhen, China, is a manufacturer of high-precision optical components and optical component replication services. The product range includes precision lenses, prisms, optical filters, and beam splitters. These components offer optimal optical performance, enabling advanced light manipulation, precise imaging, and reduced aberrations. These find applications in industries such as imaging, microscopy, aerospace, and telecommunications, resulting in enhanced research, manufacturing, and communication technologies. The optical replication services involve duplicating intricate optical components with advanced fidelity, enabling cost-effective production without compromising quality.
UNI Optics Co., Ltd, established in 2008 and located in Fuzhou, China, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in optical components and assemblies. The company’s product portfolio includes custom-made optical components such as lenses, prisms, windows, and filters, along with various coating designs. These products find applications in automation, metrology, life sciences, lasers, semiconductor, military, and medical equipment. UNI Optics employs an ISO9001:2015 quality management system and serves clients globally including North America, the Middle East and Africa, South America and Asia.
Chineselens Optical Components Manufacturing is a manufacturer of custom precision optical components based in China. The company's capabilities include but are not limited to spherical lenses, prisms, beam splitters, and custom coatings. They offer a wide range of material processing capabilities and have passed ISO 9001:2015 certification. They also provide custom and pre-engineered laser collimating lenses for R&D and engineering development, and relative applications with different diameters, focal lengths, coatings, and mounting sizes. Their services include design, fabrication, coating, and assembly of optical components, and supplying components to over 30 countries from their site in Jiangsu.
Borisun Optics, founded in 1998 in Shaanxi Province, China, is a manufacturer of precision and advanced optical products. The product range encompasses eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, binoculars, and laser optics that provide superior optical clarity, precision, and durability, enhancing visual experiences and scientific measurements. Eyeglass lenses ensure optimal vision correction, while camera lenses capture optimal-quality images. Binoculars offer enhanced magnification for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals, and laser optics play a pivotal role in scientific research and industrial applications. The products cater sectors such as eyewear, photography, outdoor activities, and advanced research assisting improved vision, accurate measurements, and expanded exploration.
U-Optics, a certified ISO 9001:2015 company. established in 2004 and is headquartered in Wuhan, China, is a manufacturer, and researcher of optical components and systems. Its product range includes photonic components, modules, and systems among many others. The company heads the development of cutting-edge photonic technologies, and its products are used in a wide range of applications, including telecommunications, medical imaging, and industrial automation. U-Optics has over 200 employees and operates in more than 20 countries across the globe. The company is devoted to serving customers from small quantity prototypes to mass production of precision optical components.
Nanjing Shuncheng Optical Components Co., Ltd., established in 1998 in Nanjing, China, is a manufacturer of diverse precision optical components. The product line includes precision lenses, optical filters, beam splitters, and custom optical coatings. These components offer robust optical performance, enabling precise light manipulation, improved image clarity, reduced reflection, and enhanced durability. The products find applications in industries such as imaging, microscopy, telecommunications, spectroscopy, and laser systems. The lenses provide distortion-free imaging, while optical filters enable selective light transmission. Beam splitters are pivotal for efficient light distribution, and custom coatings enhance component functionality.
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. (NEG) is a glass technology products manufacturer originally founded in 1949 and headquartered in Otsu, Shiga. The company specializes in glass for tech and computing applications, particularly for flat-panel displays (FPDs). Their product portfolio includes substrates for FPDs and liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and touch panels for smart devices. Other products include high modulus glass fiber, heat-resistant glass and chemically strengthened glass. NEG primarily serves clients in the digital display, automotive, and information technology markets.
Alkor Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier of optical components in Russia where it was founded in 1989. The company uses materials, such as crystals, glasses, and metals, to manufacture optical windows, lenses, prisms, mirrors, filters, and beamsplitters. They also offer custom-made optics and coatings producing optical components for various applications, such as lasers, gas analyzers, infrared devices, and scintillators. Their products are used by manufacturers of analytical and control instrumentation, by research establishments, and Universities such as Yale.
Industrial Technologies, is a manufacturer of precision balls for industrial and optical applications, founded in 2004 in Gujarat, India. The products include high-index glass balls, glass ball lenses, low TG ball lenses, Cubic Zirconia balls, and micro balls with diameters from 0.25mm to 8 mm. The company uses materials such as ruby, ceramic, spinel, and optical glass material makers such as OHARA, SUMITA< HIKARI, and SCHOTT for the rod preforms and glass rods.
VY Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of different kinds of optical precision element and photographic lens &accessory. The company is located in Jilin, China and is founded in The company product portfolio includes laser optics, imaging lenses, optical component, lasers. The company integrate lens design, production and sales. Application of the company’s items are very extensive and involves in military, aerospace, industry, scientific, medical instrument, photoelectric device, optical communication and mechanical equipment and so on.
Shanghai Optics, established in China, is a custom manufacturer of optical components and a custom designer and engineering provider of optical components, lenses, and assemblies. The company produces its own range of products that include stock microscope objectives, fixed focal length lenses, stock IR lenses, and megapixel lenses used in applications such as scientific and laboratory equipment, smartphones, cameras, and other requirements from OEM customers around the world. The company's services include full production at high and lower volumes, prototyping, free quotes, and custom product design consultations.
Hunan Dayoptics, Inc. is an OHSAS 18001-certified manufacturer of optical components and parts that was established in 2005 in Changsha, Hunan, China. The company offers optical lenses such as plano-convex and bi-concave models, optical prisms such as penta or right angle types, and optical crystals such as KTP and Nd:YAG for creating lenses for medical equipment. It also offers custom design and development services for unique projects. The company’s products are commonly used in the laser, defense, and communication industries.
Changchun Sunday Optics Co. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer and supplier of optical components that was established in Changchun, Jilin, China, in 2010. The company offers aspheric lenses for improving image quality or reducing aberration, and spherical lenses for standard imaging applications as well as focusing or collimating. It also offers prisms for refraction or reflection, various coatings for enhancing the optical properties of surfaces, and filters for blocking selected wavelengths of light. The company’s products are primarily used by clients in the laser, photonics, and optical imaging industries.
ProVent is a manufacturer of industrial ventilation equipment since 1991 and is based in Michigan. The company provides Portable duct collectors, Oil/Mist collectors, Wet Dust collectors, Cartridge collectors, and Zone Air Cleaners for rooms where airborne dust is present. They also have Ventilated work benches, Downdraft benches, Walk Around tables, and more that are compatible with the majority of the dust collection systems as they serve the Food Processing, Pharmaceutical, Robotics, and Aerospace industries.
Jilin Henghua Optoelectric Co., Ltd., founded in 2011 in Changchun, China, is a manufacturer of optical and optoelectronic products. The product range includes precision instruments catering to various sectors, such as the Henghua Spectrophotometer, essential for color measurement and analysis in industries like textiles, printing, and paint; the Henghua Laser Rangefinder, facilitating accurate distance measurement in construction and surveying; and the Henghua Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera, pivotal for non-contact temperature measurement across industries including maintenance, security, and healthcare. These offerings provide advanced technology for enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and quality control in diverse applications.
Knight Optical is a company that manufactures optical components based in the UK. The company offers services such as design, consultancy, custom packaging, testing, quality assurance, and others. They serve a wide number of industries including scientific, defense, medical, pharmaceutical, laser engineering and manufacturing. They also provide a wide range of coating capabilities for optical components throughout the ultraviolet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) spectra.They are ISO9001:2015 and ISO14001:2015 accredited and are providing quality products and services.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hobbite |
14.5%
|
| 2 | SUMITA |
10.9%
|
| 3 | Newport Corporation |
9.1%
|
| 4 | CHUO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD. |
9.1%
|
| 5 | Ross Optical |
5.5%
|
| 6 | Industrial technologies |
5.5%
|
| 7 | Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. |
5.5%
|
| 8 | Swiss Jewel Co. |
3.6%
|
| 9 | Tower Optical Corporation |
3.6%
|
| 10 | UNI Optics Co., Ltd |
3.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the ball lens page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
9 | 42.9% |
|
Japan
|
6 | 28.6% |
|
United States of America
|
4 | 19.0% |
|
Russia
|
1 | 4.8% |
|
India
|
1 | 4.8% |
46 products found
46 products
A -Kay Corporation Co., Ltd.
190+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 hours ago
Standard Response
Because it is excellent in outer diameter tolerance, a true ball level, and a small variation in volume, it can be used for lenses, as well as mold...
Natsume Optical Co., Ltd.
190+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 hours ago
■What is a ball lens? A spherical lens made from a material such as glass that can make light parallel (collimated) or focus it on a single point. ...
2 models listed
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
GELINDE offers microball lenses made from a variety of optical materials that are smaller than 1mm and can be customized to specific specifications...
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
<Microball> is a high-precision spherical lens made from precisely processed optical glass, and exhibits excellent performance as a lens for specia...
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
<Half Ball Lens> is a glass hemisphere made by secondary processing of <Micro Ball>. It is also possible to support a super hemisphere by adjusting...
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 16 hours ago
<Microdrum> is a spherical lens made by processing <Microball> into a drum and applying a high-precision coating.
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 12 hours ago
<Spherical Lens Cap> is a high-precision spherical lens (Micro Ball) sealed with low melting point glass in a press shell that is highly mass-produ...
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 19 hours ago
In particular, MK-CAP, which uses original materials that are manufactured in an integrated manner from glass melting, achieves high mass productio...
Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
<Spherical lens parts> are ultra-high precision spherical lenses <Micro Ball> and <Micro Drum> sealed directly to module holders and receptacles wi...
![Optical Ball Lens Miniature Ball Lens [1 – 4 mm]-GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.](https://metoree.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/img/products-new/30070982024102510.png)
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
GELINDE offers miniature ball lenses made from a variety of optical materials that can be customized to specific specifications. ■Features ・100% ...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
140+ people viewing
Last viewed: 14 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
130+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
160+ people viewing
Last viewed: 14 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
110+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
130+ people viewing
Last viewed: 14 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
120+ people viewing
Last viewed: 14 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
190+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
220+ people viewing
Last viewed: 14 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Humanity Co., Ltd.
140+ people viewing
Last viewed: 7 hours ago
■We handle over 300 items of glass bulbs including over 100 types including optical micro ball lenses, soda glass, sapphire, and ceramics. Ball len...
Moswell Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
■Summary 1.1 inch f=75.0mm C mount lens. TL750: No IR-cut filter. ■Angle of view ・WD=257mm, -0.38x 1.1" / V=27.78°, H=37.05° ・WD=257mm, -0.38x 1...
Moswell Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
■Summary 1/1.8 inch f=50.0mm C mount lens. CH550: No IR-cut filter. ■Angle of view ・1/1.8" / V=6.1°, H=8.2°, D=10.2° ・1/2.5" / V=4.9°, H=6.6°, D...
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 10 hours ago
GELINDE offers ball lenses made from a variety of optical materials that can be customized to meet specific specifications. ■Features ・100% micro...
Moswell Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
■Summary 1/1.8 inch f=75.0mm C mount lens. CH750: No IR-cut filter. ■Angle of view ・1/1.8" / V=4.04°, H=5.4°, D=5.84° ・1/2.5" / V=3.3°, H=4.4°, ...
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 5 hours ago
GELINDE offers N-BK7 ball lenses as well as CDGM equivalent H-K9L ball lenses, which can be customized to specific specifications. ■Features ・100...
Moswell Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 15 hours ago
■Summary 2/3 inch f=8.0mm C mount lens. CH1L80: No IR-cut filter. ■Angle of view ・2/3" / V=43.7°, H=56.3°, D=67.1° ・1/2" / V=32.4°, H=42.5°, D=5...
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
GELINDE offers optical grade sapphire ball lenses, offering high purity and low bubble grade materials up to 99.99999%. ■Features ・100% microscop...
Moswell Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
■Summary 2/3 inch f=12.0mm C mount lens. CH1L120: No IR-cut filter. ■Angle of view ・2/3" / V=30.3°, H=39°, D=46.6° ・1/2" / V=22.8°, H=29.48°, D=...
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Quartz glass not only effectively transmits far ultraviolet rays, but also visible light and near infrared rays, making it one of the most suitable...
Moswell Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 48 seconds ago
■Summary 2/3 inch f=16.0mm C mount lens. CH1L160: No IR-cut filter. ■Angle of view ・2/3" / V=23°, H=30.3°, D=37.3° ・1/2" / V=16.8°, H=22.3°, D=2...
GELINDE Optical Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Single-crystal silicon ball lenses are made of single-crystal silicon, have high hardness, do not dissolve in water, have good optical properties, ...
