VCC Illuminated Capacitive Touch SensorsIt’s not unreasonable to say that our modern world wouldn’t be possible without a way for humans to control the electronics that power everything from computers, to small gadgets, to the cars we drive. Until recently, interaction meant connecting a physical switch, whether this meant the humble microswitch invented in the 1930s, or a more complex …
SAN DIEGO, CA, October 15, 2018 Visual Communications Company (VCC), a global leader in illuminated components has purchased St Paul, MN based electronic components manufacturer, Wilbrecht LEDCO, Inc. Founded in 1956 as Wilbrecht Electronics Inc., the company got its start by providing the hearing aid industry with the world’s smallest precision potentiometers and switches. As the business grew, it shifted into …
What Happens When a Key Supplier Disappears Into Thin Air?Before coronavirus was ever an issue, one traffic signal infrastructure supplier found itself in a similar predicament many OEMs recently found themselves in due to COVID-19 — a total standstill of production. The manufacturer’s main supplier of crucial components permanently shut its doors without warning, bringing operations to a costly and …
Get more from what meets the eyeInterfaces in industrial equipment have come a long way from the simple on/off switch. But there is still much more to be explored in order to provide a safer, more productive user experience. Why should more thought go into the design of human-machine interfaces? The benefits speak for themselves: Improved worker safety Enhanced usability …
New Diffused Light Pipe Family from VCC Provides A Soft Appearance in Dark EnvironmentsSAN DIEGO, CA — VCC, the global leader in indication and specialty illumination solutions, has designed a family of rigid light pipes with a diffused, frosted surface texture for enhanced scattering of bright field light, which provides a softer glow. The 3mm LFB Series and 5mm LFC …
Light Bleed: Here’s What You Need to KnowLight pipes are essential for moving light from Point A to Point B in electronic devices and machines. But, when they aren’t optimized, a majority of the light traveling through them could literally miss the mark — your HMI [human machine interface]. These acrylic or polycarbonate marvels can be much more complicated than they …
LED usage has increased exponentially over the last few years with no end in sight. Market after market is experiencing an increase in the number of applications that use LED devices over other indicator and lighting options. From increased design flexibility, to their efficient use of power and environmental benefits, LED usage is growing. Below we explore the basic parameters …
Lamp ConstructionBasic Principle of Lamp OperationThe basic construction of neon lamps is shown in figure 1. The bulb is made of glass sealed in two areas, the pip and the pinch. In the pinch area, the leads protrude through one end of a glass tube and the glass is heated and pinched about the leads. This holds them in position …
Choosing the Best Material for My DesignProper Optoelectronic design requires attention to every detail. Luckily, designers have many illuminated component options to provide more flexibility in how status indicators work on the back end. These are also known as light pipes. Light pipes are clear rods typically made of plastic or chemical materials, although some can also be made of glass. …
