The Silicate
laboratory.
Our housings are designed, drawn and assembled with the rigour of an optronics lab. Every gram is arbitrated against a function. Every part is individually checked. Final assembly takes place in a controlled atmosphere, with purge — which keeps internal condensation out for the lifetime of the device. IP-68 sealing itself is delivered by the seals and validated unit by unit.
Three engineering
principles.
Weighed to the gram
Every part is drawn to carry only the mass required for its function. No decorative mass, no rounding. Result: bare housing 52 g (LNVM) or 90 g (LAB-NVS), among the lightest on the market.
Open standards
Housing available for 16 mm tubes, 18 mm ANVIS-format tubes, FAT ANVIS format, PVS-14 optics and ANVIS optics.
Made-to-order production
No dormant stock. Every device is assembled after order, individually checked. 30-day lead time for guaranteed quality.
Three materials,
three functions.
The housing carries only materials chosen for their specific function. High-performance polyamide for the structure, aerospace aluminium for contacts, marine stainless steel for moving axes.
PA12 polyamide MJF-printed
Polyamide 12 sintered in Multi-Jet Fusion by HP. High mechanical strength, near-perfect isotropy, no weak layers. The technology that makes 52 g possible without sacrificing robustness.
7075-T6 anodised aluminium
On critical zones (bridge interface, mounting interfaces, IPD knob): 7075-T6 anodised aerospace alloy. Decent thermal conductivity, controlled mass, matte anti-reflective finish.
316L stainless steel
Marine 316L for articulation axes. Tolerance to salt shocks, MIL-STD-810H vibrations, zero play after cycling. You tighten once — it holds.
Controlled
assembly.
The critical step in any NVG housing — invisible but decisive. Without purge, moisture trapped in the housing condenses under thermal variation and blurs the image. With purge, the tube stays protected for the lifetime of the device. IP-68 sealing itself is delivered by the seals and validated unit by unit at the next step.
Image tube insertion
The NNVT tube is inserted by hand, with optical test before closing. Verification of centring, contrast, absence of cosmetic defects.
Sealing test
IP-68 pressure test on every unit before shipping — this is the check that validates sealing (seals + assembly), independently of the purge. Visual hand inspection, operator signature. Serial number engraved, full traceability.
Service included at no extra cost on every complete device (configurator). Not covered for bare housing purchase — assembly is under your responsibility.
Individual
control.
Weighing and dimensional check
Every housing weighed to the gram, checked on critical dimensions before tube insertion.
Collimation
Tube/objective optical alignment verified by hand. Re-adjustment if necessary until perfect image.
Functional test
Power on, gain control, AA battery test, image-output check. The device must work first time.