Fresnel lenses can be molded into flat layers for magnifying, focusing and imaging processes. Industrial Fresnel lenses and commercial Fresnel lenses come in square, rectangular and round shapes, but they can be customized to fit in with your scientific or manufacturing applications. Unlike traditional glass lenses, Fresnel lenses are usually more cost-efficient and made of lightweight plastic material while still offering quality imaging.

Besides magnifiers, common Fresnel lens applications and uses apply to overhead and television projectors, LED items such as big-screen TV displays and lamps and applications that involve the use of emission and condenser systems for light-gathering or solar energy projects. Fresnel lenses can also be found in motion detectors, burglar alarms and cameras. In addition, industrial Fresnel lenses apply to automotive headlights, optical landing systems for aircraft, spotlights and lighthouses. Determining Fresnel lens applications and uses also depends on the types of lenses. Buy Fresnel lenses that are negative, positive, linear, cylindrical, circular, lenticular, prism and diffraction- or refraction-based.

1. Find information about industrial Fresnel lenses and commercial Fresnel lenses.

2. Search for Fresnel lenses based on the specifications and features.

3. Work with Fresnel lens manufacturers if you need custom services for lighting, imaging and magnifying projects.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for additional information about industrial Fresnel lenses and commercial Fresnel lenses

Start by learning some basic information about Fresnel lenses, and then find Fresnel lenses for sale that are suitable for laboratory applications, or to add to commercial products such as cameras and scanners.

I recommend: Kopp Glass manufactures flat, convex and dome Fresnel lenses that diffuse or focus light. Fresnel lenses can be used on stages, for architectural projects, traffic signaling, aircraft equipment and more. JML Optical gives information about injection-molded, compression-molded, prism, lenticular and linear Fresnel lenses.

Pick specific types of Fresnel lenses for commercial or industrial uses

Fresnel lenses applications and uses depend on lens curvature, focal length, size and light weight.

I recommend: Fresnel lens supplier Anchor Optics distributes commercial-grade lenses of different sizes, focal lengths and thickness tolerances. Edmund Optics also distributes Fresnel lenses for sale of varying sizes and focal lengths. Fresnel lens sizes from Gillinder Lenses Glass Manufacturing range from 3 inches to 12 inches in diameter.

Seek custom services for Fresnel lenses and their applications

Some Fresnel lens manufacturers offer custom services to use for your industrial and commercial applications.

I recommend: Reflexite handles designing, tooling and finishing services for products such as Fresnel lenses. Fresnel Technologies offers machining and tooling services for plastic optics, including Fresnel lenses, for infrared, visible and ultraviolet light applications. GrayGlass provides cutting, drilling and grinding services for Fresnel lenses used in lighting applications.

Commercial Fresnel lenses range from the size of an eyeglass lens to the size of a lighthouse lens. Finding an industrial Fresnel lens manufacturer that suits your needs means looking at information about Fresnel lenses online and knowing what you're looking for in that information. Gather information about Fresnel lenses and then make your decision.

Fresnel lenses have a multitude of applications, so research the specifications on the commercial Fresnel lenses you need as well as the Fresnel lens suppliers who will provide them. These three starter questions will get you headed in the right direction.

1. What specification of Fresnel lens fits your need?

2. What are the capabilities and limitations of the Fresnel lens you select?

3. Where can you buy Fresnel lenses from commercial Fresnel lens manufacturers with good reputations?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the type of Fresnel lens you need

This is the easiest step: ask yourself where your company will install the Fresnel lens. The application will guide you in your search for info on Fresnel lenses online.

I recommend: Fresnel Technologies lists a basic rundown of what types of industrial Fresnel lenses get used in different applications. For more detailed applications refer to Reflexite Display Optics' white papers on Fresnel lenses.

Learn the capabilities and limitations of the Fresnel lens you select

Fresnel lens performance will vary depending on the thickness and groove density in the lens. Higher-performance Fresnel lenses cost more money than lower-performance industrial Fresnel lenses. In certain instances a lower-performance Fresnel lens will work as well as a higher-performance lens.

I recommend: Anchor Optics has Fresnel lenses for sale, and they explain how differences in groove density and thickness affect the quality of the Fresnel lens as well as its efficiency. Champion Technology lists Fresnel lenses for sale alongside their specifications and any remarks about their performance or advantages.

Buy from commercial Fresnel lens makers with good reputations

Since a Fresnel lens trades a bit of image quality for lens efficiency make sure you choose a Fresnel lens supplier with quality Fresnel lenses for sale. It's easy to find a cheap Fresnel lens for sale, but take the time to compare two or three Fresnel lens manufacturers before making your final decision.

I recommend: Edmund Optics has more than 65 years of experience dealing with optics like Fresnel lenses. But if you want a worldwide selection of Fresnel lens suppliers, Alibaba.com allows customers to look at a myriad of different industrial Fresnel lens manufacturers around the globe.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When replacing a commercial Fresnel lens, save time by looking through old purchase records to find the name of the Fresnel lens supplier that sold the lens you want to replace. As long as the Fresnel lens performed well, there's no reason to reinvent the wheel.

The pricing and costs of Fresnel lenses varies according to design complexity and use. Different types of lenses include negative or positive lens; lens array; cylindrical, circular or linear; a lenticular Fresnel lens; Fresnel reflection; a diffraction; a Fresnel prism or a beamsplitter. Since there is such variety, prices range from less than a dollar to a thousand dollars depending on the complexity and the quantity that you purchase.

When you purchase industrial Fresnel lenses or lenses for private use, the thickness of the lens is also a consideration in the price. Reduced thickness offers greater monetary savings. When researching costs, consider the following choices:

1. Go to websites that compare prices on private-use and commercial Fresnel lenses.

2. Analyze the pricing and costs of Fresnel lenses from companies that offer refurbished lenses and bulk purchases.

3. Purchase from Fresnel lens manufacturers that offer items at wholesale prices.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare prices on Fresnel lenses for sale before making your purchase

Whether you plan to use Fresnel lenses for private use or plan to purchase commercial Fresnel lenses, go to sites that compare manufacturers or products to make sure you get the best deal. Many comparison sites offer recommendations based on product type and also offer store and product reviews, so you can make your purchase with confidence.

I recommend: Clint Turner offers a website highlighting manufacturers and distributors. The site describes what each one offers and includes information such as which ones offer refurbished or specialty Fresnel lenses and tells you where to purchase lenses at prices ranging from $1.50 to $135 on Fresnel lens products. Fresnel Technologies provides a list of categories in lens offerings. It has a link to a PDF file that describes each lens in detail and lists the prices, which range from under $20 to a $200.

Buy refurbished Fresnel lenses or purchase lenses in large quantities to reduce costs

Garner information about Fresnel lenses for your specific needs then consider purchasing refurbished lenses to reduce costs. You could also purchase the lens in large quantities, since many suppliers lower the price per lens when customers make bulk orders.

I recommend: MicrofilmStore.com offers Fresnel lenses to customers at lower prices, usually $20-$30, because it sells refurbished items. You have the option of purchasing in large quantities and can call to check on availability of items not listed on the site. Purchase a Fresnel lens in bulk quantities from companies like 3Dlens.com, which offers a price range of $2 to $60. With companies like this, you can buy ten lenses or thousands for reduced pricing.

Order the Fresnel lens at wholesale prices from manufacturers and suppliers

A Fresnel lens manufacturer may offer its lenses to customers at wholesale prices when customers purchase from it directly. This reduces the consumer costs, since you don't have to pay for the middle-man mark up. Manufacturers also sometimes offer deals and free samples as incentive to draw in customers.

I recommend: Go to bhlens.com, a Fresnel lens supplier, to find great deals on a Fresnel lens in a price from $1 to $135. This manufacturer claims to have the lowest prices and even offers a free lens to customers who send a text to it. National Optical Company offers Fresnel lens products only at wholesale prices, describing how and why it does this on its website. It does not sell to the general public, but offers its wholesale pricing and products to companies that contact them by email or telephone.