CNC Machining for Optics and Photonics
Precision optomechanical housings, mounts, benches, and low-expansion components for optics and photonics systems.
Reviewed by PiPrecision Engineering Team on May 20, 2026
Overview
Optomechanical Components—not Finished Optical Elements
The primary service is CNC machining of the mechanical structures that locate, protect, and align optical elements: lens mounts, barrels, housings, benches, mirror supports, stages, retainers, and alignment hardware.
Glass, ceramic, diamond-turning, polishing, optical coating, cleanroom, and finished-lens requirements must be identified during RFQ. PiPrecision will state which operations are performed directly, coordinated externally, or outside scope.
Precision and Surface Details to Define
Optomechanical performance often depends on relationships between features, thermal behavior, surface treatment, and assembly—not a general ± tolerance.
- Bore-to-thread concentricity, shoulder squareness, optical-axis datums, flatness, parallelism, and alignment features.
- Material condition, CTE requirements, stress relief, stock removal sequence, and inspection temperature.
- Black anodizing, stray-light textures, masked interfaces, grounding areas, and coating preparation.
- Clean handling, particulate limits, packaging, and permitted contact surfaces.
- CMM, roundness, profilometry, flatness, surface texture, and any optical metrology supplied by an agreed specialist.
Documented Project Examples
Results below are specific to the linked project, part, volume, process, and inspection scope. They are not universal capability guarantees.
Engineering Resources
Use these guides to prepare drawings, tolerances, finish requirements, and inspection expectations before RFQ.
CNC Milling Services
Optical benches, housings, mounts, supports, and multi-face components.
Read more →CNC Turning Services
Lens barrels, retainers, sleeves, spacers, and axis-critical round parts.
Read more →Quality Assurance
Inspection planning for datum relationships and surface requirements.
Read more →Capabilities
Glass or ceramic machining, Class 1000 access, NIST-traceable measurement, sub-micron results, diamond-turning preparation, and space-qualification statements require visible project or supplier evidence. They are not default capabilities or guarantees for a new RFQ.
Optical housings and cell assemblies, precision lens mounts and retainers, mirror substrates and backing structures.
Positioning accuracy to ±0.005mm, subject to drawing review
Optical-grade aluminum (6061-T6, 5083), Invar 36 and Super Invar (low expansion), glass and ceramic machining.
Material certs, CTE matching, stress-free machining
Diamond-turning-ready finishes, polishing preparation, optical coating preparation.
Ra 0.1 μm (4 μin) achievable on critical surfaces
CMM inspection, surface profilometry, roundness and cylindricity measurement.
Inspection scope and capability subject to drawing review
Cleanroom-compatible handling, contamination prevention protocols, precision alignment capabilities.
Class 1000 environment available
Published dimensional and performance capabilities are indicative and subject to drawing review.
Current Certifications and Development Roadmap
Current certificates are listed first and link to the certificate on file. Targeted and planned standards are development goals and do not represent current certification.
| Certification | Status | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015View certificate | Certified | General Quality Management |
| Development roadmap — PiPrecision is not currently certified to the standards below | ||
| ISO 10110 | Targeted — not certified | Optics Drawing Standards |
| Cleanroom Certification | Planned — not certified | Controlled Environment |
Quality Processes
- First Article Inspection with full dimensional reports
- Surface finish verification on all critical surfaces
- Material certification and traceability
- Clean handling and contamination control
- CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) verification
- Flatness and parallelism measurement
Materials We Work With
| Material | Grades | Applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Aluminum | 6061-T6, 5083-H116, 7075-T6 | Optical benches, housings, mounts | Lightweight, stable, black anodized |
| Invar 36 | Invar 36, Super Invar | Precision mounts, spacers, references | Near-zero thermal expansion (1.2 ppm/°C) |
| Stainless Steel | 303, 304, 316L | Structural mounts, fasteners | Corrosion resistant, non-magnetic options |
| Aluminum Bronze | C95400 | Bearing surfaces, wear pads | Low friction, dimensionally stable |
| Optical Glass | BK7, Fused Silica, Zerodur | Substrates, test plates | Precision machining and shaping |
| Ceramics | Alumina, Zirconia, SiC | Structural components, spacers | High stiffness, low thermal expansion |
Applications We Serve
Imaging Systems
- Camera housings and lens barrels
- Microscope stages and components
- Medical imaging equipment
- Machine vision systems
Laser Systems
- Laser cavity components
- Beam delivery optics mounts
- Galvanometer housings
- Cavity stabilization structures
Semiconductor Equipment
- Lithography system components
- Inspection system optics
- Wafer handling fixtures
- Alignment and metrology tools
Aerospace
- Space telescope structures
- Satellite optical benches
- FLIR system components
- Targeting system mounts
Scientific Instruments
- Spectrometer components
- Interferometer structures
- Telescope mounts and cells
- Quantum optics equipment
Project Gallery
Why Choose PiPrecision
- Drawing-Reviewed Precision: Tolerance capability to ±0.005mm is available, subject to drawing review, material, geometry, and inspection requirements.
- Optical Material Specialists: We understand the unique challenges of Invar, optical aluminum, and low-expansion alloys. Proper machining prevents warping and stress.
- Surface Finish Excellence: Optical components demand pristine surfaces. We achieve finishes ready for coating or polishing without additional processing.
- Clean Handling Protocols: Contamination is the enemy of optical performance. Our handling protocols protect your components from particulates and oils.
- Metrology You Can Trust: We measure what we make—with NIST-traceable equipment and documented uncertainty analysis. Your specs, verified.
Lead Times
| Prototype | 2 weeks |
| Production | Confirmed after RFQ review |
| Expedite | 1 week |
Related Industries and Services
Continue with the process and industry pages most closely related to this manufacturing requirement.
Aerospace
Traceability and project controls for demanding programs.
Explore page →Robotics and Automation
Stages, sensor mounts, and motion-critical assemblies.
Explore page →CNC Milling
Multi-axis machining for optomechanical structures.
Explore page →Surface Finishing
Black anodizing, masking, texture, and coating preparation.
Explore page →