A lens is an excellent accessory for improving the optical efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The criterion for determining an LED lens depends on the application for which the LED is used; i.e., the (target) illuminating body. The characteristics (for example, beam) of the LED will also play a significant role. Lenses are generally manufactured from optically clear materials such as polycarbonate or glass, although colored materials are occasionally used to obtain particular results.  Lenses require curvature on one or both sides in order to achieve the proper effect.

How Lenses Work:

The curved surface of a lens refracts light — it bends light rays and forces them to focus at a different point.  (A full technical explanation of this phenomenon is beyond the scope of this article.)  There are two types of lenses, convex and concave, and each is used to produce a different result.  A convex lens will force light to converge and focus nearer to the lens; a concave lens will force light rays to diverge, or focus farther away from the lens.  This is the same principle as that of the human eye, which contains a lens that focuses light on the retina.

Lenses for Use with LEDs:

When a lens is used in association with an LED, it’s referred to as a secondary optic.  In general, LEDs emit light on a directional basis, and the angle of the beam falls between 15-120 degrees.  This focused use of light allows for greater efficiency when compared to traditional light sources that diffuse light over an entire area, as a lower amount of power can provide a similar amount of light.  However, to use LEDs in a light fixture, this 15-120 degree beam must be concentrated by use of secondary optics such as lenses or reflectors.

Improving Light Efficiency:

The lens position is crucial for optimum light efficiency.  If the lens is too high or low from the LED, then it will not focus light at the correct place.  Ensuring that the lens axis is properly aligned with respect to the LED is also vital to achieve the correct output.  Both measurements must be precisely determined and followed, or the lens will produce light that is fractured or too diffuse. A typical value for acceptable accuracy is within ±0.2 mm.

Panel Lenses:

Lenses can be mounted on panels for a variety of uses.  A traditional method is to mount the LED so it can stick out through a hole in the panel.  Other approaches to installing LEDS include such options as using glue to attach them to panels.  However, this method has a number of drawbacks:  the angle of the LED will be reduced; it is susceptible to issues relating to push-through; and electro-static discharges can pass through the LED and negatively affect components on the circuit board.

VCC’s lenses are made from a durable, high-quality polycarbonate and are designed for mounting with through-hole LEDs.

Once again VCC has come through with the high quality products necessary to meet the stringent guidelines of a custom application. One of our prized clients, L3 Unmanned Systems, needed a water tight LED/Lens assembly for use in their flightTEK_® SMC controller.

L-3 Unmanned Systems(L-3 US) provides engineering, designing, manufacturing, integrating and supporting of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and has a history of delivering proven products, systems and services for a variety of customers and applications.

To provide a smaller, more integrated flight control system, their specifications required an LED Lens or Litepipe_TM which would provide a moisture-seal, resist shock and vibration, and provide ease of installment for this LED indicator application.

VCC was able to offer a standard, off-the-shelf product to meet their needs. Our LCS 032 CTP, an LED Lens and Litepipe_TM assembly, met all the required specifications. After reviewing and testing the LCS 032 CTP, Michael Stephens from L-3 responded,”We have chosen to design-in your product due to its moisture barrier provided by the o-ring, having no leaks, and very easy to install.”

The LCS series is a threaded, moisture-sealed Litepipe_TM assembly that requires no special tools, just for the retaining ring to be “hand tightened”.  Its CMS 442 lens meets IP67/Nema 6P requirements; providing a seal against water, ice, shock/vibration up to 6g at 2000Hz, Solar & UV exposure.  The attached Litepipe_TM captures the LED light and transmits it up, illuminating the lens thru the front panel. The characteristics of this Litepipe_TM made it the perfect match for this and any application that will be exposed to the elements or requires a protective seal.

This smaller, more itegrated solution developed by L3 Unmanned Systems uses proven, state-of-the-art UAS guidance, navigation and control software and is now available as a stock product.

For more information about L-3US:http://www.l-3com.com/UAS/

Additional information on the new, innovative flight control solution can be found here.

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

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.

Recently, Germany’s Transportation Safety Administration developed a set of laws that provide for large transportation trucks to be accompanied by smaller safety vehicles in order to protect against accidents with other vehicles. These smaller safety vehicles were designed to include large LED displays on both the front and back of the vehicle, which serve the purpose of alerting traffic to the approaching hazard. For the LED displays, VCC’s CLR 301 CTP was chosen as the panel lens.

The CLR 301 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.

Powerwave Technologies, the premier global source for end-to-end wireless infrastructure solutions, has selected the VCC HMS 462 lens for its VersaFlex™ line of outdoor enclosure solutions. The VersaFlex™ enclosure has been designed to maximize available rack space for revenue generating equipment while minimizing overall footprint.  Frequently used in remote locations (e.g. mountain tops where cell tower signals need to be amplified), the LED indicator behind the HMS 462 lens provides an approaching engineer with an immediate system status update without having to enter the base station chamber. This can be critical in inhospitable weather conditions, where unnecessarily opening the enclosure can lead to the damaging of expensive internal systems.

The HMS 462 is a 10mm, Nema 4 rated lens. In addition to keeping water and dust out of the LED socket, the design of the lens allows for easy status viewing, even in direct sunlight.

VersaFlex™ Overview Video

About Powerwave

Powerwave Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PWAV) is a global leader in end-to-end wireless coverage and capacity solutions for wireless communications networks. Offering cutting edge wireless infrastructure to address the demands of enterprise and commercial customers, Powerwave offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including Antennas, Base Station Solutions and Coverage Solutions. Powerwave’s product line supports all wireless network protocols and frequencies including Next Generation Networks in 4G technology such as WiMAX and LTE. Powerwave solutions, products and services also help wireless operators and OEMs reduce capital and operating expenses, speed rollout of services, improve coverage and capacity, and reduce environmental impact.