Flexfire™ Flexible Light Pipes

VCC’s FLX Series Fiber-optic LED light pipes provide the simplest method of transmitting light from a PCB-mounted (Through Hole or SMD) LED to a front panel.

Flexfire Flexible Light Pipes
Competing flexible light pipe products offer limited lens options for interfacing to the panel and LED. The FLX Series flexible light pipe offers wider design capabilities for lens styles to include wide angle, moisture-sealed, and high profile.

The FLX Series comes in pre-cut lengths of 2” 4” 6” 8” 12” with easy to use LED interfacing for 3mm through-hole and surface-mount LEDs. Custom lengths are available. Each end of the optical fiber is polished to 10 microns to provide for optimum transmission characteristics. Mounts were designed to house 3mm LEDs due to the smaller footprint required. This is particularly important as design engineers continue to reduce the amount of space used.

VCC incorporated a unique patented design that enhances the ease of assembling the Lens to the fiber optic cable guide. Thus making the assembly a time saving solution for higher volume fiber optic cable light production demands.

Advantages over Traditional Copper Wire Solutions

VCC’s FLX Series flexible light pipes have many advantages over legacy copper wire solutions. These include but are not limited to:

  • Immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI)
  • Does not conduct or transfer electrostatic discharge (ESD) pulses
  • Non-conductive light path- pinching of copper wires has the potential to cause electrical shorting, which may damage components
  • No solder or crimp terminations
  • Single versus multiple conductors
  • Graceful degradation under “extreme” bending conditions
  • Diffused light output pattern – no hot spots or narrow field of view
  • Less components

All of the benefits mentioned above provide for a cost effective, fail-safe solution for fiber optic light pipes.

FLX and FLX3 Series- Mix and Match with VCC Lenses

The FLX and FLX3 Series consists of an optical fiber attached to a VCC lens coupler. This lens coupler then attaches firmly to a whole host of VCC lenses. This flexibility allows for an engineer to select from many different lens colors and styles. Both the lenses and LED couplers are sold separately.

Currently, the FLX Series works with the CLB 300, CLF 280, CLR 301, and SQB 400 panel lenses. For a smaller panel footprint, use the FLX3 Series, which works with the SMB 200, SML 190, and SMQ 250 panel lenses.

FLX 44X Series- Threaded Lens for Extra Security IP 67/ NEMA 6P Options Available

The FLX 44X Series optical fiber coupler consists of an optical fiber and VCC lens coupler that are found in the FLX Series, but it also includes a threaded lens. Its threaded mounting technology provides a secure fit to any front panel indicator application and is excellent for high vibration and water proof scenarios. Currently, this series is available with the CMC 441, CMS 442, CMC 443, and CMS 444 lenses.

This optical fiber coupler assembly includes the lockwasher and retaining ring. The LED couplers are sold separately.

FLX 322 Series- Moisture-sealed IP 56/ NEMA 4

The FLX 322 Series optical fiber coupler consists of an optical fiber and VCC lens coupler that are found in the FLX Series, but it also includes a low-profile, moisture-sealed lens. The lens is rated to NEMA 3. It is available in many colors including VCC’s proprietary GLO material.

This optical fiber coupler assembly includes the retaining ring. The LED couplers are sold separately.