Electronic component salvage is catching on with Engineers in both shops and test facilities. You may wonder why would they choose to salvage parts that you can buy for pennies? Many different reasons exist but the most significant are:

• Whether it be an emergency repair or a prototype circuit board, having wide assortment of salvaged parts on hand, ready to grab in the middle of a project, saves the time it would take to choose to order parts from a catalog.
• A newly encouraged sense of responsibility to save perfectly reusable components from going into the landfill.
• Bringing acknowledgement and benefits to your company or facility for your efforts in implementing green strategies.

Knowing what types of components, including LEDs, that your facility most commonly uses, is the best place to start. Compile that list and create a storage system so you don’t end up with a large pile of junk instead of valuable components, ready to use. Invest in a tower or even desktop organizer with small compartments and clear drawers that can be labeled clearly. Look in your local hardware store or ask your electronic supplier, as they have great storage pieces designed specifically for this use. After reviewing the list you have made and the number of components you would like to keep on hand, it may be feasible to buy separate storage for the different component types (i.e. LED tower, resistor tower, etc)

If your facility decides to salvage through-hole IC’s, those are best left in the circuit board until you are ready to use them. Part such as diodes, LEDs, resistors and capacitors are more economical to remove and store by size or in the case of LEDs, color.

Note – Make sure trained personnel are available to do the removal. Wear all necessary protective gear, especially goggles when salvaging parts.

There are still ways to keep an assortment of spare, salvaged parts around without doing the work in-house. That option is to buy your parts from an electronics salvage dealer. You can find a list of them here.

If your department goes crazy with parts salvage, you can sell them to recycling facilities. As a matter of fact, facilities such as IMS Electronics Recycling will buy your unused boards without you first removing the parts at all. They accept almost anything including old pc boards, low-grade pcbs and even cellular pcbs. They recover not only parts but also precious metals. It’s a great way to reduce waste, be responsible and make a profit.

When beginning a salvage program at your facility, be sure to make those in charge aware of your efforts, as they may be able to get government or local concessions for being environmentally aware and instituting recycling practices. The EPA and NCER websites allow you to search both federal and local recycling programs and the benefits you can obtain from participating. Being pro-active in reducing waste and conserving our resources shows we not only care about the products we make and sell but about the environment and community around us.

VCC has built its reputation around creating today’s most innovative solutions for the optoelectronics industry, while “Lighting the Way” for the future of communication. To continue toward this goal, VCC is excited to announce a whole new way to connect and communicate with its network.

With the launch of our website, we have created additional ways to communicate with those who share the same interests. Help VCC light the way.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/VCClite

YouTube: http://youtube.com/VCClite

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vcc.optoeletronics.

Make sure you don’t miss out on special contests, prizes, free samples, and engaging conversations.

Once again showing their belief and dedication to helping others, VCC partnered with the San Diego Chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, to host the “Walk for Wishes” fundraiser at Sea World.

The walk included a one-mile route through SeaWorld and an optional four-mile course along the scenic Mission Bay. Walkers could benefit from exercise and support a cause all while enjoying picturesque scenery and fascinating sea creatures.

All proceeds from the “Walk for a Wish” fundraiser go directly towards granting wishes for children battling life-threatening medical conditions. Many of VCC’s employees were in attendance along with friends, family and local news and radio personalities.

Amy Andrews, Operations Manager for VCC commented:

“I have always wanted to donate my time to a local cause and VCC’s participation in the Walk for Wishes provided the opportunity.  I am proud to be part of an organization that really makes a difference in peoples lives”

VCC would like to thank all who participated from employees to clients and family members. We were honored to have the opportunity to improve the lives of children who are ill and help them realize small yet precious moments of magic. We look forward to participating in future events with the Make a Wish Foundation and hope to see you there.

The excitement you feel when watching a pyrotechnics display at a concert or watching explosive special effects in a movie can transport you to another place in time; watching law enforcement or military operations involving explosives can amaze and frighten you at the same time. In reality, these operations are dangerous and only the best trained personnel with the most precise equipment and protective gear can conduct a successful operation.

Implementing any type of explosive activity is monitored and regulated by the EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal). Extreme caution and supervision must always be the first consideration. Specially designed equipment must be precise and easy to read. Hazardous operations may generate adrenaline but operators can never forget that there is always a risk to the safety, lives and property around them.

Blaster One Control Unit

Blaster One EOD designs and manufactures electronic devices for the bomb-squad and explosives industries. They recently researched and developed the BB-75 Capacitive Discharge Blasting Machine for use by law enforcement, the military and various special effects groups.  This device integrates internal energy testing and a digital galvanometer.

As is often the case with applications that involve extreme hazards, great care and thought was taken in the design. Specially designed LEDs and lens were needed for this project to assure easy to read and accurate readings.

After an extensive review of possible suppliers, Blaster-One selected VCC for several reasons. As stated by Cory Star of Blaster-One:

“VCC had the perfect components, and just as important, they have outstanding customer service. When we queried about a “super-bright” bi-color 3mm LED (that doesn’t exist elsewhere) they told us they had just created one! Needless to say, we promptly placed an order. The current project uses one super-bright white LED-VAOL-3GWY4, one super-bright bi-color LED-VAOB-3GRGE4-C, one yellow Fresnel lens-SMB200YTP, and one clear Fresnel lens-SMB200CTP.

Mr. Gregg Johnson and Mr. Mark Baker took extra concern in finding me the right components, and providing many samples. We will continue to choose VCC for all of my opto-electronic components now, and in the future – and I sincerely recommend them to anyone looking for such.”

VCC is devoted to producing highly technical and precise devices for every application and was pleased to provide the LEDs and lenses for this important project. VCC has taken a pro-active role in encouraging our clients to achieve their best by providing ours daily.

In that interest, VCC presents its Design Award to Blaster-One EOD Equipment for their dedication to excellence in research and development in a field demands only the best.

Additional information about Blaster-One EOD Equipment can be found at www.blasterone.com

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are small solid-state lamps used mainly for signaling and circuit board applications. The first commercial applications were limited to single bulb applications such as circuit board signals and instrument panels. They were also used as replacements for incandescent and neon indicator lamps, for seven segment displays, and various laboratory devices.

The use of LEDs, however, is growing as the benefits both in energy consumption and cost savings are realized. Newer applications include traffic lighting, exit signs, TV’s, watches, home fixtures and even Christmas light displays. These applications are achieved by clustering large amounts of LED’s into one housing and provide many benefits over previous lighting options.

A current goal of most organizations is to reduce their carbon footprint and become more environmentally responsible about consuming resources. Implementing LEDs in new and creative ways can reduce emissions of CO₂ and also provide payback in longer life and lower power bills.

In buildings and renovations where LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is desired; using LED lighting on exit signs, elevator indicator lights, room lighting and all possible applications will help meet the required reductions for energy use and consumption.

The environmentally green benefits of LED usage include but are not limited to the following:

• Extended Life Cycle: LED bulbs last up to ten times longer than compact fluorescent bulbs and far longer than typical incandescent bulbs.

• High Efficiency: LEDs use between 1/3 and 1/30 the amount of energy of CFL and incandescent lamps. An LED being a solid-state device also lasts approximately ten times longer than the other options available. This saves on maintenance and replacement costs.

• Durability: Unlike other lamp types, LEDs do not have internal filaments that can be damaged or broken in the same circumstances in which another bulb type would be need replacement. Since they are solid LEDs hold up much better to jarring or an occasional bump.

• Reduced Heat Generation: LED applications will produce less heat than other bulb types, thus requiring less cooling in the system.

• Safe Disposal: Unlike compact fluorescents, which contain mercury or the old incandescent bulb that breaks into shards of glass, the LED can simply be removed and thrown away. No Biohazards or cut fingers here!

• Lower Carbon Footprint: Led usage can reduce your carbon footprint by close to 60% over other bulb types.

• Cost Effectiveness: LEDs for circuit board and signaling applications are inexpensive to implement. The cost for LED clusters is slightly more to purchase initially but the power savings over time and the long life of the lamps allow you to see a return on your investment in a short period of time.

• Variety of Use: The variety of uses for LEDs is endless. The ability to quickly modulate allows LEDs to be used with fiber optics and free space optic cabling systems where normal bulb types cannot be implemented. They can also be used in combination with phototransistors or diodes to provide circuit isolation. This is especially important for medical applications. The infrared abilities of LEDs allow them to be used in many remote applications from your computer mouse to emergency communications equipment.

• Lower Machine Power Usage: LEDs can be used as machine vision systems. For applications such as process lines that require bright illumination and barcode scanners currently using laser lighting; an LED will reduce power consumption when used in place of other lighting types.

By simply taking another look at your applications and implementing LED strategies, you can see payback in your power bill, receive certifications for being conservation leaders and be environmentally responsible at the same time.

Talk-A-Phone, a Chicago-based communications manufacturer was in need of a set of LED indicators for its series of VoIP emergency phones. The indicators needed to be outdoor-rated, due to the phone systems being installed in settings such as parking facilities, college campuses, medical centers, and industrial parks.

VCC’s solution included our CNX C Series connector (5mm LEDs) and a CMS 322 RTP lens. The CNX C Series requires no tools for assembly while providing a simple, fast press-fit connection to the panel lens. The CMS 322 RTP low-profile panel lens is designed to provide a means of protecting equipment from both drip or splash conditions. It meets IP 56/NEMA 4 requirements; providing a highly effective seal against water and dust. Additionally, the aforementioned low-profile design minimizes the potential problem of snagging, interference, or other physical damage that might result from outside agencies such as clothing, jewelry, tools, etc.

Additional information about Talk-A-Phone and its products can be found at www.talkaphone.com.

Mesa Boogie, the Petaluma-based company known for their diverse range of power-style guitar amps, has selected VCC to provide panel indicator lenses for its products. The CLB 300 is a low-profile, button-type lens that is designed for use with 5mm LEDs. It has a smooth, clean look with a convex shaped surface protruding above the panel. This minimizes the potential problem of snagging or other interference that might result from varying environmental conditions. Additionally, the CLB 300 uses striated lines and Fresnel rings to increase the apparent brightness to 125% and deliver a 180 degree viewing angle. All of the features above helped  VCC distinguish itself as having the fit and feel Mesa Boogie was seeking.

Jim Albritton, a VCC Sales Representative explained, “For Mesa Boogie, aesthetics are very important. The indication products offered by VCC’s competitors just didn’t provide the clean look and feel that Mesa Boogie was looking for.”

Find more information about Mesa Boogie and its products here.

With the vast array of different LED packages and applications, bin sorting is becoming an important means of achieving a consistent light pattern in a final product.

But what exactly is bin sorting and how does it work?

On the front end of manufacturing, wafers are produced, with each wafer containing thousands of dies that will become individual LEDs. The dies are “diced” (separated) from the wafer and placed together in a giant bin. These individual dies vary slightly in chromaticity, color temperature, and wavelength. To deal with variances, automated testing equipment (ATE) sorts the dies into smaller bins based on similar color and intensity, with the number of bins determined by the volume of LEDs made by a manufacturer.

After being sorted into smaller bins, the dies go to “final package” where they are placed in a final LED assembly.  Each LED is once again tested for operation and light pattern.

When selecting an LED for a lighting application or when clustering them together, manufacturers can achieve an even and consistent look in a product if they select LEDs from the same bin, as indicated on the LED data sheet.

*Find a more detailed explanation of wafer manufacturing at Wikipedia.

Neato Robotics, maker of innovative robotic vacuum cleaners, recently called on VCC to develop a half-circle lightpipe for the Power On button in its SLA prototypes to be tested. Unlike standard SLA materials, VCC’s lightpipe SLAs are made of a material that closely mimics the acrylic that will be used to manufacture the final product, providing a more accurate prototype. With only a two-day turnaround, VCC’s full-service SLA shop came through with shining colors, literally.

Following this success, Neato Robotics approached VCC with another time-sensitive request: to provide a custom Bi-Color high-bright LED for its product. VCC once again met the delivery demands on time and exceeded Neato’s expectations in overall light output performance.

For more information on Neato Robotics, visit www.neatorobotics.com.

VCC was one of a few select suppliers that were invited to attend the 2009 Allied Electronics Expo in Ft. Worth Texas. Expo is where Allied salespeople and supplier representatives come together to learn from each other and discuss new ways to find more customers, deepen existing customer relationships, and increase sales.

Allied has a strong commitment to build lasting relationships with its customers and this clearly showed during Expo. “In Allied you have a company that walks the walk,” said Mark Baker, National Sales Manager of VCC and Expo attendee. He continued, “whether it was a conversation with a salesperson or listening to a heartfelt speech from the President, you can’t help but feel the passion that Allied brings to the table.”

VCC looks forward to continued growth in its partnership with Allied.