At Moores Glass, every custom glass component begins with a problem to solve. Whether you’re developing scientific equipment, sourcing vacuum viewports, or designing bespoke enclosures for harsh environments, off-the-shelf glass simply won’t do. That’s where our team comes in — transforming your ideas into precision-engineered glass solutions.
In this post, we walk through our process step by step. You’ll learn how we take a concept, however complex, and turn it into a finished glass component designed for performance, reliability and precision.
Understanding Your Requirements
Before we start designing anything, we begin with a conversation. Every project is unique, so we take the time to understand:
What the component will be used for
The environment it must withstand (heat, vacuum, pressure, chemicals)
Tolerance levels and dimensional constraints
Optical, thermal or electrical properties required
Whether it must integrate with other materials or OEM systems
This initial consultation helps us determine which type of glass is most suitable. Depending on the application, we may recommend borosilicate, quartz, or another specialist material.
Material Selection: Matching Glass to Function
Choosing the correct glass type is critical to long-term performance. For example:
Borosilicate glass is ideal for pressure-resistant components, chemical handling and glass-to-metal seals
Quartz glass is preferred in high-temperature environments or where UV or IR transparency is required
Specialist sealing glass may be used for graded seals or electron tube enclosures
We also consider how the glass will be shaped and joined, as these factors affect strength and durability.
Precision Design and Engineering
Once we’ve confirmed the technical requirements, we move on to detailed design. This phase may involve:
Drafting technical drawings to exact specifications
Recommending tolerances based on operating environment
Identifying critical stress points or thermal weak spots
Collaborating with your engineers to ensure compatibility with the overall system
For more complex projects, we can provide 3D models or prototypes for review and testing before full production begins.
Expert Manufacturing Techniques
Our experienced team uses state-of-the-art auto lathes and hand-forming methods to create high-performance components. The manufacturing stage is where design becomes reality, with strict quality controls applied throughout.
We specialise in:
Custom forming of vacuum viewports
Fused seals for vacuum and high-voltage applications
Tailored geometries for pH electrodes, cathode ray tubes, and enclosures
Multi-part assemblies requiring high-precision alignment
All products are manufactured in-house in our UK facility, ensuring full control over quality, turnaround and repeatability.
Testing and Quality Control
Every component we produce is tested to ensure it meets the specification exactly. This includes:
Visual inspection for cracks, inclusions or surface flaws
Dimensional checks to within tight tolerances
Thermal and pressure testing where required
Cleanroom-ready packaging if needed
Our commitment to quality ensures that your finished component performs reliably from day one.
From One-Off to Repeat Production
While some projects are one-off builds, many clients return for ongoing or repeat orders. Once we’ve manufactured a component to your satisfaction, we keep production-ready tooling and specifications on file. This allows for:
Fast turnaround on repeat orders
Modifications based on field performance
Batch consistency for multi-unit systems
We also offer full documentation for traceability and compliance, where required.
Real-World Examples
• Scientific Research Lab
A client needed a custom glass viewport with a graded seal for use in a vacuum chamber reaching temperatures above 400°C. We worked closely with their design team to develop a borosilicate solution that met all dimensional, thermal and sealing requirements.
• OEM Instrument Manufacturer
We helped an OEM integrate a custom-shaped quartz envelope into their sensor system, ensuring light transmission in the UV range and stability under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can you help design a part from scratch if I only have a concept?
Yes. We regularly work from sketches, functional briefs or verbal descriptions and develop them into fully specified components.
❓ What tolerances can you manufacture to?
We can produce components with extremely tight tolerances, suitable for vacuum applications and high-precision environments. Specific tolerances depend on the geometry and material.
❓ Do you offer prototypes?
Yes, where appropriate. Prototyping allows for in-situ testing before full production, particularly for new product designs.
Why Choose Moores Glass for Custom Scientific Glass Components?
Our strength lies in our flexibility and problem-solving approach. From initial idea to final inspection, our team combines decades of experience with modern techniques to deliver glass components that perform under pressure.
When accuracy matters, and when standard solutions fall short, trust Moores Glass to turn your concept into a reality.
Contact us today to discuss your custom requirements and discover how we can help.
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