Most everyone can relate to any one of the many visual LED applications. By a visual application, we are referring to a visual signal where light travels from the source to the human eye to convey a specific message or meaning that can be quickly understood. You can see them practically everywhere you look including status indicators, equivalent display, message displays on railways, trains, trams and ferries, traffic signals, signs, vehicle turn signals and brake lights and even such simple applications as glow lights and LED art. There are also many visual applications that you may not immediately think of such as decorative displays, TV and laptop backlighting, DLP Projectors, night vision devices, security cameras, aviation instruments and there are even applications from NASA using LEDs that have been instituted to promote astronaut health.

The portion of the LED field that uses non-visual LEDs can include broadband data, wireless transmitters, access points for data transfer, optical fiber and freespace optical communication, remote controls, movement sensors, photodiodes, sterilization, UV curing devices, machine vision, voltage references and even on the latest and greatest flatbed scanners.

There are many systems that rely on a light source for operation and communication. There are also a myriad of reasons that LEDs are dominating this market more everyday.  Among these reasons are the following:

• Instant On and Off Switching
• Low Cost
• Optimum Design Flexibility
• Repeatability
• Color and Wavelength Variation
• Uniform Light Display
• Low Power Consumption
• High Speed Response
• Long Life Cycle
• Low maintenance

VCC Optoelectronics has a wide variety of LEDs for your visual and nonvisual applications. We also have a staff of knowledgeable experts to help you implement your ideas and value-added services if you need some extra staff to carry out the design, prototyping, production and other parts of your project. Simply contact us and one of our engineers will speak with you to evaluate your needs and provide reliable and detailed assistance for your application development.

“Teaming up with Lynx was an easy decision for VCC,” said Andrew Zanelli, CEO, VCC. “Strategically, our companies share a core focus that revolves around delivering the highest quality service to our customers.”

Lynx Micro, a woman-owned company, was established to provide exceptional value to customers through collective business experience by providing superior online marketing with a first-class sales model.

“Adding a world-class optoelectronics supplier like VCC to our line card allows our customers to access more than 40 years of optoelectronics and electromechanical experience,” said Michael Pecoraro, vice president of marketing for Lynx Micro Electronics LLC.

“VCC’s ability to understand the customer’s design needs from initial concept and prototyping to final assembly is a valuable asset for any company. The growing demand for LED products in the OEM base is a perfect fit for our two companies and will allow us to penetrate various market verticals.”

For more information about VCC products and their availability through Lynx

Micro Electronics, please visit www.vcclite.com or www.lynxmicro.com.

About Lynx Micro Electronics LLC

A franchised stocking distributor, Lynx Micro was founded by a team of seasoned professionals. Their expertise includes all aspects of the electronic components distribution channel, lending a credible alternative to the competition in their market. Lynx Micro understands that the majority of distributors focus on the 20% of customers who bring them 80% of their revenues. The mission at Lynx Micro is to target and service the often overlooked, yet equally valuable, 80% of customers and manufacturers who remain. They do so by offering worthy alternatives for purchasing franchised electronic components.

VCC Optoelectronics has been a participant in allowing companies this option in the Engineering field. Our value-added services allow you to increase your Engineering Infrastructure with little more than a phone call or e-mail. We enable you to leverage the power and economic benefits of cloud resources to solve engineering problems by providing design support, rapid prototyping, manufacturing services, supply chain connections and global logistics to move you forward.

The benefits of Engineering from the Cloud are many, including:

Reduced Costs: In any economic climate, especially today’s, there is a drive to reduce costs. Contracting additional Engineering services from the cloud will meet this goal by permitting you to hire additional staff to perform various services without bringing them into your facility on a full-time basis. This saves the cost of insurance, training and other benefits, as well as finding the space to house them in your offices.

Shorter Time-to-Market: Hiring an expert with knowledge of your product and field will help decrease the time it takes to design, develop and manufacture a new product, enhanced feature or develop a fix for a current feature.

Elasticity: Engineering services in the cloud allow more than just scalability, they offer elasticity. You can quickly scale up or down quickly to meet the demands of the market whether they are expected or unexpected.

Availability: Our value-added services are available at any time. When a sudden increase in design or production is needed, when additional supply and logistics demands are required, cloud services are readily attainable and can be accessed at will.

Expansion of Market Share: Cloud based Engineering and Production services help you expand without a large increase of capital investment.

• When contracting our value-added services from the cloud, it is important to do the following in order to achieve optimum results:
• Develop a strategy early in the process to migrate data and design information from your current platform to VCC.
• Plan and discuss performance, security, reliability and availability expectations and requirements at the beginning of the project cycle.
• Work with VCC to adopt a set of procedures that assure high visibility, traceability and control to maintain communication between companies and allow seamless integration.

Our expert engineering, production, supply and global logistics experts are available around the clock to discuss your needs and how we can be instrumental in helping you achieve your goals. Contact VCC today for more information on the quality, speed and cost involved in implementing our services to increase your efficiency and profitability.

Emergency lighting and signaling isn’t a case where damaged or defective lighting components are simply an irritation requiring maintenance, rather a time when an outage can mean shutdown of equipment for safety reasons or in the worse case, an injury or fatality. Today’s emergency lighting and signaling systems are increasingly being manufactured with LEDs to meet safety challenges such as:

• Reliability – LEDs are, by far, more reliable that other lighting options. When it is imperative that a lighting system function at a moments notice, using LEDs in your design will ensure consistent and reliable operation.
• Lower Power Consumption – LED circuits have lower power requirements than typical lighting options, thus resulting in a lower power requirement for your entire emergency lighting circuit.
• Improved Illumination – LEDs are brighter and can be seen from double or triple the distance of incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
• No Filtering Circuit Requirements – Unlike standard luminaries, LEDs do not require a filtering circuit to remove the peaks of light outside the usable bandwidth.
• Durability – LEDs can withstand vibration, movement and rougher environments than lighting elements that have bulbs and filaments.
• Faster Switching – An emergency lighting circuit requires fast switching that is a characteristic of only one lighting type, LEDs. LEDs lighting circuit can be instantly switched on and/or off dependent on circuit requirements. There is no delay that can result in lost time in a circumstance where a second’s notice can prevent harm or damage.
• Extended Lifecycle – LEDs can have lifecycles anywhere from 5-10 years making them last many times longer than other luminaries.
• Simple Automation and System Integration – LED characteristics such as ‘Instant On/Off’, the low power requirements and pulsing allow them to be easily integrated into an existing circuit design or a newly automated system.
• No Mercury or UV Radiation – LED lighting options are not filled with mercury, neither do they emit radiation making them safer for any circuitry but especially circuits designed for safety. In addition, their safe composition means there are no special disposal requirements.
• Reduced Maintenance – LED usage as your lighting component will mean less downtime and therefore, less maintenance; this not only saves time but also increases safety and reduces costs.

VCC is ready and able to supply all your Emergency LED lighting and signaling needs. Contact us today and make your emergency lighting application more reliable, durable, earth friendly and flexible.

Supply and demand is a basic economic principle that has taken on a new meaning in today’s production environment. The days when the electrical stockroom was packed with all the possible elements needed to produce a variety of circuits or circuit boards is gone. Such an inventory would quickly become outdated and obsolete as the advancement of technology present today demands a malleable inventory, ready to change without months, weeks or at times, even days of notice. New developments, ideas and product improvements mean that inventory must be fluid, ever ready to change and adapt to new requirements. While this idea sounds great in writing, realistically, it’s a hard goal to meet.

One way many production facilities are overcoming this challenge is to develop relationships with suppliers that permit on-demand supply of the most critical components, which in today’s circuitry world includes PCB components, LEDs, Lite pipes and other elements. On-demand PCB component supplies allow you to reduce stock levels while still decreasing process times as you can procure system components at the right time and in the right quantity to complete even advanced production schedules.

Every production facility pursues ways to fine-tune Supply Chain Management, determined to meet unexpected changes without production downtime and to seamlessly overcome data and forecasting deficiencies. The advantage of on-demand supply is that it offers you a virtual inventory that can be on its way to your facility simply by placing a call, writing an e-mail or clicking an online order button. It provides production and lifecycle equilibrium, permitting your facility to better manage the flow of strategic inventory reserves. Components that can be received ‘on-demand’ allow you to reduce inventory of that item without the challenges associated with lower inventory counts. Inventory space can then be used for components that aren’t available on-demand, to enhance the production floor or to store completed products.

VCC Optoelectronics offers on-demand supply of various PCB components, LEDS and Litepipes to help your production facility become and remain highly flexible, quickly able to adapt to the ever-changing product development environment. Call or e-mail us today and begin a relationship with our professional staff who can help you set-up receipt of our large number of ‘always in stock’ elements.

Careful planning and preparation when adding a new product will help not only leaders, but also lower level employees embrace and efficiently implement changes. Proper communication will also provide support for associates who must incorporate changes in their daily work schedule.

Our own recent addition of Value Added Services, inspired us to share some of the ways VCC was able to plan, design and incorporate this product addition to our offerings. The most important components of managing product changes are covered below.

• Real Time Data – The ability to generate reports based on the latest data is essential to planning, analyzing and actualizing new production practices and concepts. No successful changes can take place if plans are made based on outdated or invalid data. In actuality, it can cause a bump in the road that slows the change process or even derails it entirely.
• Communication – One of the most important aspects of managing a product change or addition is to make sure that people are fully informed about the change, especially those parts of the change that most directly affect their job. Typically, the more information employees have, the less uncertainty they feel, and the greater their level of acceptance for the need to change. Take action to ensure that all levels of your production and design teams are informed about the change and that change-related information is not “lost” or “distorted” as it passes through the company communication channels.
• Impact Analysis – After gathering the latest data and receiving input from valued team members and employees, impact analysis is the next most important component of change management. From production schedules to employee task modifications and identification of third party integration requirements, defining the impact of your change is critical. Not only do it permit you to be prepared for process changes but also enables your organization to recognize possible stumbling blocks but to address them before they become an obstacle to success.
• Challenging and Inspiring Personnel – Communicating a change or addition to the product line can be done in such a way that it creates an environment of cooperation and positive, proactive attitudes among team members. This is accomplished by encouraging questions and discussions about proposed changes and seeking the input and suggestions of those who will be affected.

Without accurate data, successful change is just a dream; without team member input; efficient implementation is out of reach; without believers in the process; the change will meet indeterminate amounts resistance and without effective Product Change Management, the process will not be as streamlined and cost effective as it could be.

Contact VCC professionals today for more on effective product change management. VCC will effectively manage your projects by working closely with all of our dedicated manufacturing partners daily across multiple time zones. We can provide advice, design support, manufacturing resources, global logistics or complete turnkey solutions for a successful product change or addition.

Through-hole PCB assemblies, more commonly referred to as “thru-hole” are constructed with components that have long leads that are inserted into plated thru-holes on printed circuit boards. Components are then soldered into place and connected to its specified circuit.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Thru-hole PCB Assembly?

Thru-hole PCB assembly out performed all previous PCB assembly types until Surface Mount Technology (see below) made its appearance. It provides better reliability and continuity than older technologies such as point-to-point assembly. It even holds one advantage over the popular surface mounted assemblies; its strong mechanical bond. Printed circuit boards that are mounted in high vibration applications will often use the assembly type. They are also used in many test and prototype applications, as it is easier to remove or interchange parts without damaging the board.

The disadvantages of thru-hole assembly includes the cost of drilling and plating the thru-holes themselves as well as the limited routing area available after the component is soldered in place. It also limits you to use of only one side of the printed circuit board.

Surface Mount PCB Assembly

PCB assemblies with surface mounted components are referred to as SMT (Surface Mounted technology) assemblies. In SMT assemblies, components are mounted directly to the surface of the printed circuit board.

This method of PCB assembly allows the use of smaller components with small leads and short pins, flat contact or even terminations mounted on the component itself. Surface Mounted Devices (SMD) can be as much as one-tenth the size and weight of thru-hole parts. This assembly type also permits use of both printed circuit board sides. This PCB assembly type is favored in automation, computer assembly and other applications that can reduce product cost and increase production rates.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Surface Mount PCB Assembly?

Surface Mount PCB Assemblies have a large number of advantages over thru-hole technology, including the smaller and less expensive components, fewer plated thru-holes drilled into the PCB and the use of both sides of the printed circuit board. Using both PCB sides permits a much higher number of components and many more connections per component.

Disadvantages of Surface Mount PCB Assemblies are that manual adjustments or replacements are more difficult in testing and prototype applications. In addition, as components and trace circuits become smaller, reliability of the circuitry and solder joints can become a concern.

Who Can Provide Me with Both Surface Mounted and Thru-Hole Type PCB Components?

The selection of PCB components offered by VCC Optoelectronics includes a variety of LEDs, Interconnections, Panel Mount and Clips for all your PCB assembly requirements. Our professional sales and engineering staff is available to assist your selection process and provide reliable components right when you need them. Contact VCC today for more details.

A Light Guide is a device that allows light to travel from a source as large as the sun or as small as an LED, to a point at some predetermined distance. In a successful light guide application, this is accomplished with minimal losses.

What are the Most Efficient Light Guide applications?

The most efficient Light Guide applications are those that have a controllable source and use optical grade acrylics such as acrylic resin, polycarbonates, epoxies and glass. Controllable sources that are most often used in Light Guide applications are LEDs. Led and Light Guides create effective transmission of light from a PCB to a controller or dashboard as well as a number of additional applications. Efficient light guide systems will also provide the following design elements:

• Effective Coupling  – Without effective coupling from the source to the Light Guide, your system will be inefficient. Typical light guide applications will include a flux coupling to an LED device. The light guide entrance must be either flat (for surface mounted LEDs) or concave and contoured to match the mounting surface.
• Special lenses for Light guides can be manufactured to suit various types of LEDs.  Typically, surface mounted LEDs will have a built-in lens and the prepared end of the Light guide is inserted inside the mount to make the connection.
• Efficient Transmission – Efficient transmission is dependent on a variety of aspects including the Light Guide material, polished connection surfaces, and effective capture at the receiving end.
• Moisture Sealed – Many outdoor or hazardous applications will require moisture and dust sealant to provide an effective transfer of light through your chosen light guide.
• No conduction or transfer of electrostatic discharge (ESD) pulses – LED circuits, especially when mounted on a PCB, are susceptible to losses and damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) pulses. An effective light guide removes this risk and also the need for an additional ESD protection circuit.
• Immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) – For light guides that are implemented into industrial environments, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) exists, as there are various devices that are emitting electromagnetic waves. An effective Light guide will eliminate this interference.

VCC Optoelectronics provides an extensive variety of light guides called LitePipes, which are patented with the most efficient and technologically advanced design elements. Whether you have an indoor, outdoor, high interference or hazardous application, we have the right light guide for your project. Contact us today for more details and selection assistance from our qualified engineers.

Below we explore the basic parameters that must be considered when implementing an LED device into your design.

Electrical Parameters of LEDs

Maximum Electrical Ratings

Power Dissipation: It is the maximum power that can be dissipated in LED before it gets permanently damaged.

Continuous Forward Current: It is maximum permissible forward current through the LED. Exceeding this value will result in circuit failure.

Reverse Voltage: It is the maximum permissible voltage that can be applied to the diode in reverse polarity. An LED will not conduct with a reverse voltage applied but if that voltage is over the maximum reverse voltage capacity, LED failure will occur.

Operating Temperature: It is the range of temperature over which the LED can be safely operated. Effective heat management can be accomplished with the use of heat sinks and fans.

Reverse current: It is the maximum permissible value of reverse current.

Forward Voltage: It is the maximum allowable forward voltage across the LED for safe operation. Forward voltages are dependent on the LED material but are typically around 2-4VDC.

Nominal Optoelectrical Characteristics

Luminous Intensity: It is a measure of the light output produced (Candela –Cd orLumen-Lm) at given forward voltage and forward current. This value is critical in the design and purpose of your LED circuit. Different LED applications can require a large range of luminous intensity requirements.

View angle: It is the angle from the center of the light source to the area or device receiving the light. Maximum viewing angles allow for the greatest flexibility in design and production. When LED indication is part of the process, the viewing angle becomes a vital element of LED design.

Color – Color is actually one of the first LED characteristics that are selected. Red, Blue, Amber, White or some combination can be used to indicate a condition or communicate process factors.

Who Can Help Me Select the right LED device for my application?

When you are looking for an LED supplier, choosing VCC will ensure that you have a professional and experienced team of engineers and sales people who will find the right fit for each one of your projects. VCC will work directly with your design team to ensure manufacturability of new designs, assist in LED configurations to maximize panel space and use while minimizing costs and adhering to your project specifications. Contact VCC today for all your LED design needs.

Why the Rapid Change to LED Use in Automobiles?

The first years of LED development, from the 1970’s to the mid- 1990’s saw significant increases in the brightness and control of LEDs. Since the 1990’s innovation in the material and design of LEDs has provided such increases in luminosity that LEDs have become the most practical, flexible and cost effective selection for all automotive indication and lighting needs.

What Additional Benefits Do LEDs Provide in automotive applications?

The list of benefits that LEDs provide over standard lighting options is vast and includes:

• Long service life – Most LEDs will outlast the automotive system in which they currently operate. As opposed to previous lighting and indicator lamps with hundreds of hours of operation, LEDs offer thousands of hours. This is critical for high use applications such as DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps).
• Extremely resistant to vibration and stress – LEDs have no moving components and no small filaments that can be jostled about and broken as vehicles travel up and down the nation’s roadways.
• Better performance – LEDs reach full intensity faster than it’s predecessors. For application such as brake lights, the few milliseconds of speed in reaching full intensity provides increased safety.
• Reduced vehicle downtime – In commercial vehicle applications, the stability and strength of LED device operation provides increased profits as the vehicle spends less time out of commission.
• New styling potential – The flexibility in design and placement of LEDs allows manufacturers to provide distinctions between models through their lighting design.
• Reduced design space – LEDs are low profile and compact compared to other lamp alternatives. This increases design options and allows other components to be added in the space saved from lamp placement.
• High Efficiency – LEDs are highly efficient and help reduce the overall heat of the lighting system. Heat that is generated can be easily managed with heat sinks and fans.
• No Hazardous Gases or IR Radiation – Everything we produce today and every way we produce it, contributes to the improvement or degradation of the environment. LEDs do not contain hazardous gases nor do they emit IR Radiation, which places them at the top of environmentally responsible lighting choices.

VCC offers an array of LED indicators that can be implemented in a wide variety of automotive applications. Contact us today for more information and assistance in your automotive LED application needs.