OLEDs (Organic LEDs) are one of the latest developments entering the optoelectronics arena. The ability to use organic compounds in LED usage is the wave of the future and as always, VCC is following the development of this field. Below we are going to cover some of the main questions concerning OLEDs including their composition, operation, usage, benefits and disadvantages.

What are OLEDs?

OLEDs are Organic Light Emitting Diodes. Kodak was the first to develop this Technology that uses organic compounds such as glass and plastic to compose the emissive electroluminescent layer. This layer is no thicker than a film and is applied in a process that is simple, low cost and requires fewer materials than other LED compounds used to emit light and provide full spectrum color displays.

What types of OLEDs are there?

There are three basic types of OLEDs being developed and implemented. Those types are:

• Small Molecule OLED – Known as SM-OLEDs, these devices are typically made from glass substrates and are deposited through a vacuum process. The SM OLED is more efficient than the other types and can be evaporated allowing for complex multi-layer structures. The drawbacks with the small molecule OLED is that it is not flexible and the vacuum process is more expensive than other OLED types. Newer developments with stacked and flexible plastic substrates are removing the disadvantages and this product is expected to have large impacts in the future of OLED installations.
• Polymer OLED – Also called Light Emitting Polymers (LEP), this OLED type is generally composed of a plastic compound that forms the electroluminescent conductive layer. The process for depositing the materials in this layer is a precision ink jet application. This process is low cost, simple and can be created with multiple levels to improve efficiency. Once applied, it is extremely flexible. The drawback with the Polymer OLED is that current efficiency is not at the level of the SM OLED, however, it has surpassed LCD efficiency levels.
• Phosphorescent OLEDs – This OLED type has up to four times higher efficiency than that of a conventional fluorescent OLED. Its application process is the same as the Polymer OLEDs as it is applied by precision ink jet printing, however, it is highly efficient in converting electrical energy. Recent developments are assuring the future success of this OLED type.

The Future of OLEDs

Many different versions of these main OLED types are entering the market. They offer a full color spectrum that is thin and flexible. Future displays using OLEDs will be flexible, low cost, brighter and more efficient. OLEDs also have a wide viewing angle with high contrast video capabilities. This technology is expected to result in displays less than 1mm thick.

Lighting indication presents some of the larger challenges in today’s production environments. Accurate monitoring of varied processes are key in developing an efficient and successful process environment. A combination of lighting indicators and user interfaces provide important and immediate feedback to the operator’s and others in process control field. This feedback can either be effective and improve production or if implemented incorrectly can confuse and create additional issues which are detrimental to quality control.

The most important challenges to conquer in lighting indication are the following:

• Visibility – Though it seems simple and obvious, the most important consideration in lighting indication design is visibility. Using the right type of indicators for your environment and installing the lighting where it can be easily viewed and analyzed by operators and maintenance personnel is essential.
  • Stack and Tower Lights – Standard machine condition such as ‘power on’ (green), ‘maintenance needed’ (blue), ‘caution’ (yellow) and ‘stop/alarm’ (red) are some of the varied indicators most commonly used with stack and tower lights. Implementation of these devices allows clear communication of machine status to any personnel entering the production environment. The ability to quickly analyze the machine conditions can minimize or even eliminate downtime.
  • Panel Indicators – Process data, environmental conditions, switch indicators, sensor status and a number of other messages displayed on the operator panel can streamline system processes. Where paper manuals and signs can be misplaced or damaged  and thus not available when needed, a row of panel indicators or several rows can be easily mastered by the operator through repetition creating a more efficient employee and process.
• Process Communication
  • Varied indicator types and signaling – Using a row or row of indicators on your panel of various shapes, sizes and colors is an effective way of communicating process status, alarms and accomplishing accurate control monitoring. Implementing lighting indicators as sensor emulators showing a variety of conditions is possibly the most effective way to increase efficiency and gain more process control.
  • Operator Training – The key to achieving a more streamlined process through implementation of lighting indicators is operator training. Using various indictor types and signaling such as flashes or a series of lights to indicate a certain condition is only as effective as the understanding of the operator. Initial training and quick notification of process changes is mandatory if production is to be increased.
  • Consistency across process types – Consistency of your lighting indicators will eliminate confusion and increase effectiveness by allowing one operator to easily move between production steps and still maintain an accurate understanding of the lighting communication. It is not often possible to have all lighting indicators communicate the same message but providing consistency across each process type should be taken into consideration. Creating an environment that permits cross training in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum amount of change in the meaning of the machine indicators allows flexibility and highly productive employees.

VCC offers a wide variety of lighting indicators for all your environmental and process needs. Check out our catalog or contact our dedicated professionals to assist you in streamlining your lighting indication process and creating the most efficient production environment possible.

Automated production processes are implemented in almost every factory environment operating today. Good LED indication practices should alert, inform and guide the operator. With the ever-growing number of automated processes and machines, keeping consistent signaling can become quite a challenge but must be implemented for the following reasons:

• The first generation of automation workers is retiring and work forces are shrinking. Those leaving the workforce are taking with them important knowledge of machine operation and in their place is a less experienced team.
• With the reduced process knowledge, having as much consistency in your signaling as possible will help lower the learning curve and result in better performance with predictable volumes of quality product.
• Lost and misplaced hard copy documentation during a crisis can result in increased downtime as the operator may be unaware there is a problem or unsure how to resolve it. With consistent signaling the operator will come to recognize warning signs that can be addressed before the process is halted.
• Standard signaling for common alarms allows the operator to quickly deduce the cause of a machine failure and either fixes the failure or calls maintenance with a clearer diagnosis of the problem.

When engineering your production floor layout, taking into account the basic signals that can be grouped and displayed in a consistent manner is essential for optimizing efficiency and quality. For alarm signaling the recently released ISA/ANSI 18.02 Alarm Management for the Process Industries provides excellent guidelines for indicating and prioritizing alarms. Having indicators on machinery or in stack lights for warnings or caution conditions should be standard as well. Addressing an upcoming error will be simpler and less expensive than the downtime once failure is realized. Implementing standards for your automated indicators and processes will improve your production floor in the following ways:

• Operators will learn your system quicker and be better able to respond when unexpected actions occur.
• There will be a greater tuning of your processes that will allow more consistent forecasting of product.
• You will achieve better diagnostic and more reliable data from your workers as they will better understand the systems.

VCC recognizes the importance of quality and reliable signaling and has an extensive line of LED indication products to help you achieve your production goals. Speak to our specialist today about your indication needs for the future or in re-evaluating your current equipment operations. Contact us for more information.

LED’s are a staple of signage and signal applications and with the wider use of high power LEDs the range of applications is constantly expanding to practically limitless proportions. High power LEDs can be driven at currents from hundreds of mA to more than an ampere, compared with the tens of mA for other LEDs. Until recent years their use has been limited by the need for large heat sinks and thermal management issues.  The latest developments have introduced the ability to control and maintain brightness levels without “hot spots” and “not spots” for further efficiency improvements. More strategic configurations of heat sinks, new heat sink materials and metal core printed circuit boards have improved control thermal of management problems. These advances have allowed new areas of development.

High power LEDs from VCC are now in use for in an almost limitless number of applications among which are:

• Accent lighting applications such as: contour lighting, stairway lighting, pendants, coves, displays and front panels.
• Outdoor lighting applications such as: floodlights and landscape lighting.
• Specialty lighting applications such as: Flashlights, reading lamps, security lighting and more.

Architects, Engineers and Security Specialists are including LED usage in the basis of their core designs effectively replacing incandescent, halogen, and even fluorescent style lights. The largest selling points in these applications are the ability to meet new environmental standards from LEED and other groups for close to 40% improved power efficiency and the ability to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building. High Power LEDs also enjoy a longer operating life that practically eliminates the need for maintenance.

High power, high intensity LED selections from VCC offer many additional benefits including:

• Silicone lens technology
• Saturated color spectrum
• Special “design-to-fit” secondary optics
• Low thermal resistance
• Full dimming capabilities
• Superior ESD protection
• 100% RoHS Compliance

Our LED selection experienced less than 10% light output decay under test conditions and with our many vivid, saturated colors, surface mounted options and high energy efficiency, our product range has the right high power LEDs for your requirements. Contact us today and our dedicated professionals will be happy to help select the right product for your high power LED application.

Large panel LED displays are becoming the only way to go if you are looking into signage. From stadium signs to retail marketing and even traffic signs, LED displays are being implemented into designs in an ever-widening array of applications. Panels and displays are also becoming larger and with these larger panels are power, brightness and management issues. There are two main configuration options being employed, each with its own pros and cons.

When the LED’s are placed directly behind the panel, they are in direct configuration. The other option used widely is edge configuration where the LED backlighting is provided by LED’s installed around the perimeter of the panel. Either design option will give you the capability of color variations, consistent movement and the bonus of virtually eliminating outages.

The direct configuration utilizes LEDs arranged in a matrix behind the panel to directly illuminate the display. This configuration uses less current through many small strings of LEDs, which allows for local dimming of individual arrays in addition to improved coloration and contrast. Drawbacks of this configuration are that you need to use a high-speed data bus and your programming will be much more complex. This configuration also requires thicker panels to allow space for the light emanating from the LED’s to diffuse.

Edge configuration illuminates the display from the panel edges using fewer strings with more LEDs.  This requires a higher voltage power supply to drive the LEDs, however, there is a less complex control system required and fewer LED current sink drivers. Being arranged in longer strings around the perimeter also allows for a much thinner display. Newer systems use a phase delay evenly across the strings to aid in reducing the peak inductor current inherent to the use of a higher voltage power supply. This configuration is becoming the standard when retrofitting large screen LCD displays.

Whether you are looking for small or large panel displays the boundaries between LED lighting and displays are blurring into one world where the highest quality and quantity of content is provided by one device type. The experts at VCC are prepared to help you plan for the requirements of your display type, placement, thermal management and power. Our line of VCC Lite proprietary products use UL rated (94-V0) material to assist in heat dissipation for all large panel applications and includes an extensive selection of LEDs, panel mounts, clips and interconnects to help you achieve your panel design visions. Click here and contact VCC today for more information.

In today’s production atmosphere, cost, time and efficiency while implementing quality processes determine the bottom-line success and profitability of your product. A tried and true way to accomplish a piece of this goal is to use quality pre-engineered and wired cables.

Among the many benefits are:

1. Design Flexibility – Using pre-wired cables in your project from the design stage on, allows the Engineer greater flexibility in a number of aspects. Panel space is always at a premium and a great way to conserve space is to install pre-wired cables. It reduces the need for wire trays and permits greater variety in the placement of PCB’s and other components as cable routing becomes less inhibited.
2. Reduced Wiring Time and Costs – The amount of time needed to wire your cabinet or machine is reduced as connecting cables is a much quicker process than routing the cables, making a connections and labeling each wire and termination point. The number of wiring errors will also diminish, as fewer opportunities for a wiring mistake are present.
3. Easier Marking and Labeling – Pre-wired cables will arrive labeled and with diagrams declaring each connection point. The assembler is then left with verifying the points of connection and labeling the cabinet for clear and correct assembly.
4. Faster Testing and Replacement Times – The testing of cabinets with pre-wired cable assemblies is a more efficient process than cabinets with individual connections. The tester can easily check for continuity and signal presence without disconnecting the cable. If repair is needed or a function added or changed, a pre-wired cable is much more flexible. Your service provider can show up with a new cable and complete replacement in a matter or minutes resulting in less downtime for the client and a shorter visit for the provider.
5. Fewer Parts, Less Inventory – Use the space that used to store multiple cable components to increase production area as pre-wired cables can take less than half the space. Reduced inventory and increased space will raise your profit levels.
6. Quality Panels – Let your company be known by the caliber of your panels. Pre-wired cabling means your applications will be neater and safer than individually routing each termination point.

Contact the committed team of experts at VCC today to discuss your individual pre-wired cable needs. We specialize in collaborating with our clients to improve all aspects of production and provide you with dynamic, quality solutions. We can Engineer the cables for your application or use your data to provide a flexible pre-wired cable customized for your project requirements.

The question has been asked: Why would a company or organization want to spend money to retrofit lighting with state-of-the art LEDs? The answers are varied and begin with the age old requirements to save time, money and have a higher quality product or advertisement. The reasons listed below come from Project Engineers and Systems Specialists expressing why they have chosen this route:

1. Saving Money: There may be a cost associated with a retrofitting LED applications but the payback makes it more than worth the expense. A large-scale example of this is Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas. They spent $362,000 on retrofitting everything from elevator signal lights, to under counter illumination, animated displays, signage and outdoor lighting. The project has allowed them to reduce their power consumption by 2 million kWh. They expect to realize a $200,000 yearly payback from their 24/7 operations.
2. Environmental Synergy: The desire to reduce environmental contaminants and improve the overall carbon footprint of our society is a reason given across the board. LED applications can reduce carbon footprints by up to 60% over other lighting types.
3. Improved Lighting Quality: The new generation of LED’s available are brighter and more vibrant. Signage and displays appear sleek, modern and clean. The more vibrant colors were a safety consideration when the NYC Subway signals were replaced. Travelers and Engineers said the saturated colors were more visible and thus safer.
4. Longevity: A truly worldwide push is taking place with massive projects to replace street lighting and traffic signals with LED’s. One of the many reasons is the longevity factor of LED’s.  Known for their exceptional reliability and without internal filaments to be damaged, there are less repair instances and longer life cycles over-all.
5. Control and Display Features: LED’s have better dimming and control features available than the lighting of yesteryear. This is an area where both marketing and safety benefits come into play.  Airbus wing tips and train signals have been retrofitted for the control features of LED’s to provide better ground and air signaling to improve safety while the number of retrofit marketing applications is practically infinite. From sport stadiums, to retail stores, every venue trying capture the public imagination, has seen signage and signaling being retrofitted or changed to LED based displays. Lighting can be synchronized for a show, have burst of color to turns heads or be animated to send a message. The options are infinite.

VCC is excited at the new possibilities that exist and our dedicated professionals are available daily to provide you with assistance for your specific retrofit requirements. We provide standard LED’s as well as specialized options. If you need a high intensity light, have a remote application or need to have a seal that is moisture proof; VCC has the products to fit your needs. Contact us with your requirements and we will provide a custom solution to ensure the success of your retrofit application.

The many benefits of LEDs have now led to a wide spread rush to implement them in a variety of new ways. One of the fields in which LEDs are taking over is backlighting for various applications from televisions, to IPOD displays and numerous LCD devices.

Regardless of the particular application, Engineers are in agreement regarding several ways in which LED devices provide advantages over other backlighting options such as CRT and fluorescent bulbs. The benefits of LED usage in backlight applications include:

• Improved Reliability – As they are solid-state devices, LEDs have a longer lifespan typically lasting over 100,000 hours. A benefit of solid state devices, LEDs will perform consistently from installation to end of life cycle as opposed to florescent options which continuously lose up to 50% of their light output over their life cycle.
• Lower Power Consumption – LED backlights have lower power consumption than traditional backlighting sources. Manufacturers quote a 60% reduction in power consumption for LED backlighting compared to conventional mercury-arc lamps.
• Blur Reduction and Brightness – LCD displays have a motion blur effect primarily because an LCD pixel remains lit, unlike the CRT phosphor screens which are strobed for a very short time. To resolve this issue, one of the latest improvements being employed by large manufacturers is to use LED for the backlighting. They then employ a new scanning technology that strobes the horizontal rows of LEDs from top to bottom. This approach is also superior in reducing computer generated motion blur produced by video games.
• Blacker blacks – The improved dynamic contrast ratio achieved through use of LEDs for backlighting creates improved contrasts, stronger blacks and whites as well as a greater range of color levels in between. This is accomplished by utilizing multiple LEDs to vary the backlighting across the LCD screen based on the image displayed.
• Wider Color Array – LED’s cover a broader range of red and greens well over the NTSC standards. This results in a more extensive range of colors allowing images to appear more life-like. Current improvements using LED backlighting are bringing the available color array closer to the human eye’s perception range.
• Environmentally friendly – The significantly lower power requirements of LEDs result in reduced air pollution from carbon emissions. The longer life span of saves maintenance costs by being replaced less often. In addition, LEDs do not contain mercury and thus are not only easier and less expensive to dispose of they are safer and leave less of an environmental impact. Even Apple computer began changing to LED backlit display in their efforts to become a “greener apple.”

Though using LEDs in backlighting applications is still more expensive at this time, the benefits are overcoming the cost concerns. The new development in LED materials will also reduce the price in the future. Regardless, the benefits are so strong that the result has been an increased demand for LED use in backlit applications in all sizes. This will significantly boost LED production requirements immediately and into the future. VCC Optoelectronics is happy to provide you with LEDs and LED mounting components for your entire project.  Check out our catalog for LEDs as well as products you will require to complete a successful and innovative PCB design.

The first few decades after the 1907 discovery of electroluminescence by British experimenter H.J. Round, were very slow in the development and use of this innovation. However, research and progress was being made. In the 1960’s Texas Instruments received a patent for the first infrared LED and a more practical version came the next year by the scientists at General Electric.

From that time until the present day, constant research, testing and developments have taken place to allow some truly unique and amazing uses of LEDs. The inhibitive costs in the first applications have been greatly reduced increasing the logical applications for everyday products. The recent concerns in reduction of energy usage and environmental responsibility completed the circle and LEDs have been touted as the preferred lighting device. Where they were once relegated to single signal usage, seven-segment displays and simple indicators, today the applications are unlimited.

Traffic signals are currently being converted to energy and Co2 reducing LED cluster lights. They are used to light entire rooms as well as their trusty, proven use as signals and indicators. Billboard size video displays are manufactured with LEDs. There are even applications in the clothing industry where safety vest, jackets and head gear are being equipped with LEDs to increase personal protection whether working in a hazardous location or taking an evening jog down the road.

The UK is taking the lead in the implementation of energy busting LEDs for traffic signal and street lighting. London has become the first major city to secure a finance initiative to replace both street and traffic signals throughout the majority of the city. The London Mayor estimates the LED street lights and traffic signals will save the taxpayers up to 25% of their street lighting bill as well as reduce Co2 emissions by 60%.

Clothes are usually designed to be practical or fashionable. Today they are also functioning as true safety gear for the average person as well as field applications engineer. A shirt that lights up at night draws attention much faster than waiting for the head beams of a car or piece of equipment to illuminate a reflective strip. Gloves are being manufactured with LED lights embedded to assist workers and sportsmen. Instead of relying on someone holding a flashlight, the LED gloves will consistently illuminate the work area. Headlamps with LED clusters have been designed and implemented for rock climbers and campers. You then have the copious amount of marketing and personalized visual displays being applied to everything from t-shirts to hats to shoes that flash when you walk.

No matter what unique idea you come up with or what project your challenged to find an answer for, when it comes to lighting, LEDs are the wave of the future.

VCC high-performance Litepipes™ and LEDs are available in a wide variety of sizes, mounting types, colors, power ratings, intensities and wavelengths to meet your every application need. We can also assist you with selection and even the development of custom applications. Our interconnections, standoffs and myriad of other accessories are available in our product catalog.