Optical Lenses

Süd-Optik Schirmer GmbH specialises in the manufacture of optical lenses. We always make sure to use high quality materials in the production of our optical lenses. Our optical lenses are manufactured using most state-of-the-art machines and proven processes . At Süd-Optik Schirmer GmbH we are proud of our optical lenses. Thanks to our trained staff and sophisticated processes, the optical lenses we manufacture can be used for many years.

Our optical lenses are primarily manufactured for modern industrial production. They are therefore used in the area of "Industry 4.0", in the form of optics for sensor technology, ancillary lenses for light guides, and as clear or coloured glass lenses for optical signal transmitters. Further areas of application are lasers, ambient and architectural lighting, and signal lighting systems for watercraft and aviation.

Our long-standing and loyal customers, as well as our successful implementation of numerous projects, are testament to our experience in manufacturing optical lenses. Close cooperation and transparent communication with our partners are very important to us. We support the realisation of ideas, accompany them in process development and implementation and, of course, also look after them after production.

With our trained employees, innovative production methods and high standards , we guarantee that the desired product specifications will be implemented optimally and cost-effectively.

What kinds of optical lenses are there?

• Convex lenses: Convex lenses, also known as converging lenses or collimators, cause the light to converge on a specific point. Convex lenses cause the rays of light to converge because of how the rays hit the surface of the lens. Rays of light that hit the lens further up are diverted downwards because of the curvature of the lens. Light rays that hit the lens further down are diverted upwards. If a ray of light hits the dead centre of a convex lens, it also exits the lens again without changing direction. The rays converge behind the lens – at what is known as the focal point. A distinction is made between plano-convex lenses and biconvex lenses. There are also differences in the type of curvature, here one speaks of spherical lenses or aspheric lenses (aspheres).
• Concave lenses: Concave lenses, also called diverging lenses or diffusion lenses, disperse the light in all directions. In contrast to convex lenses, this type of optical lens is thinner in the centre and thicker towards the edge. Since the light rays are dispersed in all directions by the lens, one speaks of a diffusion lens. Depending on the lens shape, a distinction is made between biconcave, plano-concave and convex-concave lenses, also known as negative meniscus lenses.
• Cylindrical lenses: Cylindrical lenses, which can be spherical or apsheric (aspheric cyclindrical lenses are also known as acylindrical lenses or acylinders), are optical lenses with a cylindrical surface. With this optical lens, the light is only refracted one-dimensionally as the cylindrical lens only has one curve.
• Conical lenses: Conical lenses are optical lenses that are used, for example, to measure the fill level of a container or for lighting applications. The measurement is often based on the total reflection on the lateral surface of the conical lens.
• Fresnel lenses: Fresnel lenses are a type of composite optical lens. The light rays are refracted on the surface of the Fresnel lens. Fresnel lenses require a reduced volume or mass of material compared to conventional lenses. Nowadays, this optical lens is differentiated between headlight lenses, which focus the light in one direction, and drum lenses, which are hollow solids of revolution.
• Lens arrays: Lens arrays are a type of optical lens. A certain number of optical lenses are pressed into one component in a row or circle. This type of optical lens is used, among other things, in sensor technology and lighting technology.

Optical Lenses – FAQ