Custom Light Pipes
With extensive expertise and in-house capabilities, VCC offers custom light pipe services that meet or exceed your optical and design requirements.
What are Light Pipes?
Light pipes are components that carry light in a controlled area and defined size from point A to point B with high efficiency. For designs that require multiple indicators, light pipes are an ideal solution due to their low cost, excellent visual communication, and design flexibility.
See more
Unmatched Custom Light Pipe Design Expertise
VCC combines experience and state-of-the-art technology to develop custom designs with proven efficiency. Our multidisciplinary team includes mechanical, optical, and electrical engineers who understand the complexities of light pipe design, such as:
- Materials
- Placement
- Optical geometry
- Coatings
- Viewing angle
Many factors can impact the overall performance, cost, and life of an indicator. We ask the right questions upfront to ensure your custom light pipe is the perfect fit for the application, environment, and device.
The whole process can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 12 — it all depends on the complexity of the design. VCC collaborates with product designers to deliver custom solutions that exceed their expectations.
Benefits of Well-Designed Light Pipes
Design Flexibility and Control
The ability to customize solutions and adjust length, angle, and spacing enables the exact indication and uniform light needed.
Reduced Production Costs
The right custom light pipe solution can streamline design and simplify the BOM when multiple indicators are needed.
Minimized Light Loss
Light pipes tailored to the design and application use light ray simulation to virtually eliminate light losses.
Uniform Illumination
Consistent, uniform illumination improves operation and aesthetics, maintaining brand standards.
Light Pipe Design Process
Step 1: Engineering Drawing
A team of engineers collaborates with OEMs and designers to establish goals and optical requirements. VCC works closely with you to prepare detailed drawings, parts lists, and circuit schematics.
Engineering Drawing
Step 2: Light Simulation
VCC offers a full suite of custom light pipe design and testing services. Using the latest light modeling software, our team can run light simulations, such as ray tracing to track the path of light through the light pipe to devise the right solution. The design is then revised and optimized until the ideal optical requirements are met.
Step 3: Light Pipe Prototype
VCC helps you cut development times using rapid prototyping techniques for plastic components. We use a 3D printer to prototype the light pipe and further test it prior to tooling the custom solution, ensuring the optimal viewing angle and lighting properties are achieved.
Step 4: Tooling + Production
When the light pipe prototype is approved, it’s time to move into tooling. Because the 3D prototype we provide is 90% accurate to the finished product, you can feel confident investing in the tooling after you’ve validated the design. Once tooling is complete, we fabricate and assemble our components in our state-of-the-art facility in Mexico, ensuring you receive the utmost level of quality, plus the many advantages nearshore manufacturing provides.
Custom Light Pipe Projects
