Riad Nizam, General Manager of Master Distributors commented, “We are very excited to take on the VCC offering of Optoelectronic products. These products significantly strengthen our portfolio of high quality, cost effective solutions. We are now able to offer far more to our customers than we have been able to in the past. VCC allows us to offer a complete lighting solution and assist our customers beyond the LED; to innovative LED viewing and mounting products.”

The Master group of companies operate all over the world.

High on hills and in mountaintops where reception is the strongest and clearest is where you will find REMEC equipment operating. REMEC provides high-powered, reliable integrated microwave and millimeter wave subsystem solutions for the telecommunications market. Among the products offered by REMEC is an Outdoor Unit to enhance communications and signal processing. The current Outdoor Units offered by REMEC are the only ‘off-the-shelf’ commercial products that are successfully implemented in over 250,000 locations.

Looking to improve the point-to-point and point-to-multi-point signaling for cellular phone call connections to local sites, REMEC designed a power indicator that could be used in conjunction with its line of Outdoor Units.  The visual indicator would have to withstand the kinds of outdoor conditions that can only be delivered by Mother Nature and still equal the reliability of other REMEC products.  After careful deliberation, REMEC selected the VCC LCS series of light pipes to meet this design demand.  The VCC LCS series is a moisturized NEMA certified light pipe that provides a seal against water, dust and ice conditions

About VCC Light Pipes

VCC light pipes are specially formulated UV resistant lens permits the light pipe to provide optimal visual clarity in direct sunlight. The entire line of VCC light pipes increaseefficiency and conserve maintenance time since there’s no physical connection between the PCB board and mounting panel. This permits the PCB to be serviced without requiring a mechanical disconnect.  The 6 different lengths and colors open the field of communication, space and environmental possibilities when designing new, innovative products.

More about the LCS Series Light Pipe

LCS is used for transmitting light from a PCB mounted LED to the front panel while providing protection from the outside environment limiting the chance of water or dust entering the electronic enclosure and not only meeting but surpassing the IP 67/ NEMA 6P requirements. LCS can be used with 5mm, 3mm or surface mount lenses that retain enough clarity to capture outside light and bring it into a photo diode receptor. When light output, clarity, performance and environmental protection are required, the LCS series is a product that should be considered for highly reliable, flexible and successful indication. Contact VCC today and our team will collaborate with you to find the best light pipe solution for your design.

To learn more about REMEC product offerings, click here.

If you are beginning a new project, consider the benefits of using solid-state (LED) lighting in your design:

• The very name solid-state belies one it’s the biggest advantages. With no moving parts, the resistance to shock and vibration is substantial. A bump or short drop is unlikely to damage solid-state devices.
• No electrical filaments or toxic gases. Electrical filaments found with incandescent lights can easily be broken and are also subject to evaporation giving them a very short life cycle. Fluorescent lights contain toxic gases that may provide a longer life cycle but also pose a greater environmental threat.
• LED lighting provides substantial energy savings and in turn financial savings. An LED uses 90% of the power it produces allowing for brighter lighting that is also cool to the touch since only 10% of the power is lost to heat dissipation.
• Lighting flexibility is increased enormously when LEDs are implemented. Flexible and effective lighting can be achieved with the use of lightpipes. There is no longer a need to have wiring and fixtures in confined spaces whether it is for lighting or communication purposes.
• With the proper circuitry, color, intensity, signaling can be easily controlled. Using PCB or PLC programming, a virtually endless number of effects can be achieved.
• Solid-state lighting allows for variety in packaging and sizing. If space is limited, as it usually is, solid-state lighting can be implemented in a number of sizes and mounting positions. In a few inches of space you can provide the lighting for an entire control panel interface. The reduced heat generation allows flexibility as well since solid-state lighting can be mounted closer to other components.

VCC Optoelectronics is a leader in LED design and specializes in LED signaling. When you are designing your next project, contact our experts to provide you with the latest details and design innovations in the LED field. We are also happy to assist you in selecting the correct components to achieve the ultimate benefit in both energy and cost by selecting a component that is best suited for your project type.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a light pipe to ensure the most effective use in your application. The most important of these considerations are listed below:

• Rigid or Flexible – There are two basic types of light pipes available and those are rigid and flexible. Both have their own strengths as described below:

Rigid light pipes are selected for applications where you have a straight or right angle connection from the power source to the display panel. This lightpipe type is generally                   smaller and less expensive as the wiring cost is minimized by the direct connection.

Flexible light pipes are used when your panel is further away from the power source or when you do not have a straight line of sight connection available. The VCC Flexible                      Litepipe™, one of the most advanced, can provide a 180° viewing angle and very little light degradation even when implemented with extreme bending angles.

• Shape, Size – An extensive selection of light pipe shapes and sizes are available to meet your production and signaling needs. The Litepipe™ series includes but is not limited to square, rectangle and round shapes with sizes ranging from 2.5mm to 5mm. When implementing an intricate signaling process, a combination of different shapes and sizes used in conjunction with different colored LEDs permits a wide range of options for providing clear communication.
• Environment – The environment in which you are placing your light pipe signaling connection is one of the most important considerations to take into account. VCC’s Litepipe™ series has both flexible and rigid options for use in locations that encounter moisture, dust and other debris that can damage and degrade normal connection types. The LMS and LCS series are moisture sealed and have been successfully used in a number of applications with dust and moisture exposure.
• Power – The amount of power available to power your signaling system is often determined by the heat sink abilities of your PCB. VCC’s Litepipe™ series can be implemented with minimum power consumption. There is also a high-intensity Litepipe™ available where a more intense light is required by the design or environment.  One phone call or e-mail to your VCC representative or a look the VCC catalog will provide you with Litepipe™ specifications to find the exact requirements for your selection so it can be built into your power design.

VCC has long been a leader in this field and our experts can provide you with more in depth information regarding our wide array of Litepipes™ and inventive ways to implement them into your design. Contact us today at: www.vcclite.com for all your light pipe needs.

When Dispensing Dynamics International (DDI) faced a supply chain issue on a light pipe from another manufacturer, they turned to VCC.  Our extensive variety and selection of flexible and rigid light pipes, interconnectors, and PCB accessories offer convenient, affordable solutions in stock, and ready for your use. DDI knew with the assistance of our dedicated experts, finding the right part would be a cinch. Within 48 hours of contacting VCC, DDI received samples that proved to be a clear solution to their first production build on a new version of their industry leading motion detected paper towel dispensers.  The ability of VCC to respond quickly with a selection that met the requirements helped DDI maintain their development schedule.

DDI has 75 years of experience developing new and innovative applications such as the first patented paper roll towel dispenser, the first lever action dispenser, the first automatic transfer tissue dispenser, and the best selling line of no touch dispensers. The time and thought put into prototype development and testing has led to a successful line of state-of-the art dispensing solutions.  The designs of DDI have propelled and kept them at the top of their field.

VCC Optoelectronics is an innovator as well and we are proud of our relationships with companies like DDI.  Working hand in hand with these flourishing companies allows VCC to anticipate and meet the needs of future projects. We are dedicated to reacting quickly to customers in need of specific products and solutions for the ever-growing field of light indicator solutions. Call or contact us at www.vcclite.com and we can expedite the delivery of your lighting solution.

For more information about DDI products visit: www.dispensingdynamics.com

National Semiconductor has chosen the VCC LCS Series lens/light pipe for its Solar Magic™ project. Solar Magic™ power optimizers are the perfect solution for maximizing the energy harvest of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays affected by real world conditions. Solar PV arrays are susceptible to large amounts of energy loss from small amounts of shade caused by light barriers like trees, roof obstructions, and debris. In addition, solar arrays require installation with a single orientation and tilt to avoid array mismatch energy loss. SolarMagic™ power optimizers reclaim up to 50% of the energy lost to real world shade and mismatch conditions and enable flexible design installation.

During the product design phase, the National Semiconductor engineers realized that they needed an effective water-tight panel solution for the indicator LED being used in the power optimizer. Enter the VCC LCS Series.

The LCS Series was developed to provide moisture sealing and dust control for display panels when the LED is attached to a circuit board. The light pipe component is tubular in shape attached to a low-profile lens. The lens is diffused with Fresnel rings in order to provide a 180 degree viewing angle. The light pipes are molded from an optical grade acrylic plastic for clarity and optimum light transmission. The light pipe tooling is highly polished, to provide a smooth, scratch-free surface to the finished light pipe. This produces an optimum surface for maximum light refraction and ultimate light transmission.

Tests by an independent testing laboratory have shown that the LCS unit meets NEMA 4 requirements for providing an effective seal against water, ice, and dust. In addition to the water tests, the unit and its retaining system have been tested up to 6Gs of shock and from 0 to 2000 Hz of vibration. Tests also included storage and operating temperature ((-40°C to +85°C), solar, ice and UV). The conclusion attained upon completion of these tests was that the LCS Series exceeded all test criteria.

When not choosing the patented LCS Series as an effective solution, the moisture sealing of a light pipe to a display panel requires the use of RTV-type adhesive. When applying glue for sealing, special precautions must be taken to avoid creating air gaps that would allow sealed joints to leak. Glues are not only difficult to apply but their adhesion to a light pipe surface will change the flow of the light pattern. This will also cause light leakage, which results in the reduction of light emitted by the litepipe. This gluing method will surely result in serious assembly problems and less than satisfactory panel displays, both of which were unacceptable to National Semiconductor for the Solar Magic™ project.

Videos:

How Solar Magic™ Works

National Semiconductor Interview With Maria Bartiromo of CNBC About Solar Magic™

Solar Magic™ in The Green Report

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.

HST Automotive (Horsepower, Speed, and Torque) offers a global brand of high-performance, zero emission electric vehicles. The RIDE state-of-the art, three-wheeled vehicle provides an environmentally conscious means of personal mobility. They can be used for any number of purposes from security and facility maintenance operations to luxury entertainment.

The RIDE is constructed from high quality aluminum and can fold down to 38” for travel and storage; it will even fit inside your SUV. It has front and rear suspension, is 100% electric and travels at 15 mph with optional upgrades allowing speeds of up to 25mph. It can be charged from a standard 110V outlet.

In an ongoing effort to improve the design, HST wanted to implement a viable solution for permitting two different light intensities for the back lights of the vehicle. The LED’s were also required to provide a moisture-sealed lens, have the ability to withstand shock and vibration and be available for expedited shipment to meet development and production schedules. For many suppliers this would be a tall order to fill these special requirements with an off-the-shelf product.

VCC was highly recommended to HST, due our high-quality and versatile products, along with our ingenuity in design and application knowledge. The custom building capabilitiesavailable from VCC allowed us to produce a solution quickly by slightly modifying our standard CNX 460 series LED cable assembly. This type of LED cable assembly can it accommodate a 10mm LED or a Super High Flux LED providing dual intensities for the RIDE backlight application.

Per Jean Jamie, “We were very impressed with Orlando’s ingenuity to provide a quick solution. They were able to provide two different levels of light intensities, and also with its standard features of being moisture-sealed and able to withstand shock & vibration, it was a perfect solution for our dilemma.”

VCC is dedicated to our customers and we take pride in our ability to modify our standard products to ensure a better fit and function for our customer’s requirements. This design knowledge enables us to offer a high-quality product that is better suited for special customer requirements in a very short amount of time.

For quick solutions to your specialized LED and cabling application needs, please contact us today at www.vcclite.com. For more information on the RIDE product visit: http://www.ridevehicles.com/

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.

You reach up to press the button and see a green panel light come on indicating a connection. You don’t even realize you are holding your breath until you hear the voice on the other side say “How can we help?” and hear the release of air from your body. A few short minutes later the knowledge that help is on the way provides comfort and your sense of isolation recedes.

VCC adheres to this way of operation daily. Not only do we wish to assist our clients but also strive to provide the comfort and knowledge that in the expansive field of indication and illumination, you are not alone. That is why Kings III of America has chosen VCC and our line products to meet their illumination needs. Kings III indicators must endure harsh environments and exposure to the sun, rain, wind and even dust.  All these elements wreak havoc on standard LEDs and lenses. VCC helped Kings III resolve this issue with our line of UV additive Polycarbonate Lenses, which are specifically designed to withstand these environments.

In addition, our CMS series products meet NEMA 4 and 6P standards for use in conditions that include exposure to elements such as rain, sleet, windblown dust and rain and other harsh conditions.  VCC lenses are ideal when used with the Conxrite interconnects for mounting the LED directly to the panel.  Finish your illumination with the wide selection of VCC light pipes and you have provided a reliable, durable method of transmitting the light from a PCB mounted LED to your panel.

Anytime a special application arises and you need a reliable protective lens and LED solution VCC is here to help. There are many options out there in the world of LED’s and our experts are dedicated quickly and efficiently finding products to meet the requirements for your project. To learn more or get answers to your LED questions, visit us at www.vcclite.com. We will be happy to assist you with all selections as well as sending a free sample for you to inspect or use in your latest prototype.