Light Pipe FAQs

Most frequently asked questions regarding light pipes

Light Pipe Frequently Asked Questions

No matter the industry or application, the right illuminated components can make all the difference in improving the human-machine interaction, which ultimately leads to better outcomes.

In many cases, decisions about which indicators to use aren’t made until late in the design process, when the footprint and space of the control panel or PCB can cause limitations on certain indicator solutions.

To help designers and engineers make more strategic lighting decisions early on, we’ve developed the following list of frequently asked questions when it comes to light pipes.

For a deeper dive into all things light pipe, we’ve also created a Light Pipe Design Guide.

1. What is a light pipe?

An LED light pipe is a rod made of acrylic or plastic that is used to transmit light from the light source at the printed circuit board (PCB) to the indicator panel of a device.

Light pipes are cost-effective illumination solutions that provide consistent illumination and design flexibility. They typically fall into two categories:

vcc flexible light pipe rigid light pipeRigid light pipes – polycarbonate acrylic rods transmit light from a stationary position that connects the PCB and interface

Flexible light pipes – fiber optic rods can carry light around curves and in tight spaces to connect the light source and the user interface

2. What types of light pipes does VCC offer?

VCC offers clients an extensive light pipe portfolio with solutions for essentially every need and design configuration.

If your product requires a custom design, our team can develop the ideal solution, then test and prototype it before production.

Rigid – light pipes made of optical-grade polycarbonate or acrylic that can be vertical or right-angle in orientation. Rigid light pipes are designed to move light short distances.
LFB Light Pipe Series

Flexible – light pipes made of fiber optic material that can be bent to up to 30 degrees to accommodate the design. Flexible light pipes are designed to move light longer distances than rigid versions.
Flexible Light Pipes Board and Panel Mount VCC

Board mount – light pipes that are mounted to the printed circuit board (PCB) at the power source of the device. VCC offers board mount products for rigid and right angle light pipes.

Surface mount – light pipes that are mounted to the control panel of the device instead of the PCB. VCC offers both flexible and rigid light pipes that can be surface mounted.

Right angle – rigid light pipes made exclusively for 90-degree angle alignment to the LED or board. VCC offers right angle light pipes in 1-position, 2-position, 3-position and 4-position board mount options.

Press-fit – light pipes that are installed directly to the indicator panel, allowing for efficiencies in production due to a press-fit design.

LPCR Series rigid light pipe features a low-profile Fresnel lens that offers a 160 degree viewing angle

Moisture-sealed – for harsh environments including outdoors, VCC offers a range of light pipe solutions with added protection from dust and moisture for rigid, flexible, board mount, panel mount, right angle and through hole designs.
moisture sealed light pipe

For additional information, download VCC’s light pipe brochure.

Custom made to specific applications

VCC can design custom light pipes to your specific needs and applications, allowing you to have total control over your illumination. Our team can design and run light simulations to determine optimal performance while reducing hotspots and light leaks, then develop a custom light pipe to fit your ideal illumination specifications. In most cases, a MOQ is required for a custom light pipe. Another alternative would be modifying an existing light pipe design by replacing materials, length or light characteristics. Contact VCC to learn more.

3. What are some of the physical attributes found in light pipes?

A light pipe is more complex than it seems, with several features and options that all affect how much — and how well — the light travels through the light pipe.

For example, rigid light pipes will include:vcc light pipe design guide

Rounded corners – this feature helps minimize light loss or escape.

Diffused exit surface – to provide more uniform illumination, a diffused surface is used at the point where light is seen by the end-user or operator at the HMI.

Smooth, flat, or concave contoured surface – whichever properties the LED itself have should be mimicked by the interior surface of the light pipe. The LED and light pipe must work together to get the most light possible to travel through to the other end, the exit surface.

Reflecting paint on the exterior – an optional add-on that helps reflect more light is to add white paint to the exterior of the light pipe.

Together, these are a few of the attributes that add up to light pipe performance. For more information on how light pipes work and best practices, check out our Light Pipe Design Guide.

4. Does VCC customize to the standard light pipes?

VCC can customize our existing light pipe products, depending on the application, requirements and light specifications needed.

In some cases, a fully customized solution may be more cost-effective than modifying an existing design.

Our team is happy to assist you in exploring customization options for your light pipe needs.

vcc custom design led light pipe

5. How much light from the LED is actually transmitted by the light pipe?

There are several factors that can impact the percentage of light being transmitted, including the viewing angle of the LED.

Designers can expect the light pipe to transmit roughly 80 to 90 percent, depending on the design. This amount does not change whether your light pipe is made of optical-grade polycarbonate or optical-grade acrylic.
Light Pipe design basic how does light travel

6. What are the ideal operating and storage temps for VCC light pipes?

The storage and operating temperature will vary by the type of material the light pipe is made from.


Storage temperature – as a general rule, polycarbonate and acrylic light pipes can be stored at temperatures ranging from -100℃ to 25℃ with minimal degradation. The lower the temperature and humidity, the less degradation of the device.

Operating temperature – this will depend on how much strain is put on the light pipe in its environment. If there is very little stress, the operating temperature can range from -100℃ to 100℃ for acrylic and -100℃ to 125℃ for polycarbonate.
All other light pipe materials should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Refer to the data sheet of each individual product or contact VCC to obtain specific temperature information.

7. What is the minimum allowable distance between a light pipe and the LED?

The closer the light pipe is to the light source, the more efficient the light transfer will be. As long as the light pipe is rated for the amount of heat the LED puts out, it can be positioned with no distance between the two. However, if the LED produces more heat than the light pipe is rated for, refer to your product data sheet or contact VCC for minimum distance guidelines.

8. How do you minimize light bleeding between adjacent light pipes?

To minimize light bleeding, use an LED with a narrow viewing angle of 160 degrees or less, and position the light pipe and LED no more than .05” apart.

The VCC team specializes in running light simulations to determine how light will behave in light pipe prior to production. We can test standard products or create a full custom design and prototype to suit your needs.

9. What are the benefits of using press-fit light pipes?

Press-fit light pipes can greatly improve manufacturing efficiencies since only access to the front of the panel is needed during assembly. OEMs can utilize automation to pick and place the light pipes into the panels instead of costly and time-consuming manual labor.

vcc custom light pipes

10. Which LED mounting options are compatible with light pipes?

VCC’s light pipes deliver maximum design flexibility, and are compatible with a variety to types of LEDs.

In addition to versatile mounting options, our light pipes provide additional flexibility because physical contact between the light pipe and LED is not required.

Light pipes are compatible with four mounting types of LEDs:

Through-hole LEDs

Flexible light pipes work well with through-hole LEDs and can be mounted from the panel or the back of the device.

thru hole led

Right-angle through-hole LEDs

Right-angle through hole LEDs work well with flexible light pipes that are mounted to the PC board or panel.

Right Angle Thru-hole PCB Mount LED Indicators

Surface mount (SMD) LEDs

For LEDs that are surface mounted the the panel, flexible and rigid light pipes are options available.

Right-angle surface mount LEDs

Flexible right-angle light pipes that are mounted to the PC board are ideal for right-angle surface mount LEDs.

11. How far from the LED does the light pipe need to be positioned?

For ideal illumination whether using a through-hole or surface mount LED, the light pipe should be positioned less than .05” from the LED. And the LED should have a narrow viewing angle of 160 degrees.

12. Which face options are available for rigid light pipes?

VCC’s rigid light pipe faces are available in three different shapes: dome, semi-dome or flat, each with their own benefits.

rigid light pipe design guide

 

Dome – provides the widest viewing angle and best visibility from different working positions. A dome shape is ideal when the indictor must be viewed from the side view as well as straight on. VCC’s LCS Series is available with a dome face that also includes a Fresnel surface, which helps focus the light.

Semi-Dome – when less-intense illumination is needed, the semi-dome light pipe face minimizes hot spots while providing a soft glow while still allowing for a wide viewing angle. For example, the LFB Series semi-dome delivers 120-degree viewing and a frosted glow.

Flat in applications where hot spots are a concern or the light needs to travel a long distance from the PCB to the panel, a flat shape is the perfect solution. It focuses the light into a more concentrated beam while providing a 160-degree viewing angle. VCC’s LPCR Series combines the intensity of a Fresnel lens with the flat, low-profile design.

Ray tracing is suggested to ensure you provide the ideal amount of brightness, focus, and visibility for optimal performance. Learn more about how the face can impact light output in this light pipe design guide.

Our team can assist you in determining the right light pipe face for your device, including running light simulations.

13. Why don’t you offer more board-mount light pipes?

VCC offers three board mount options to choose from. Because board mount light pipes often have more design restrictions, here are the pros and cons of each type:

Board-mount right angle:
Benefits: standard product, fast lead time, low production cost
Design restriction: you have to design your device/equipment around the specs of the light pipe

Board-mount linear:
Benefits: standard product, fast lead time, low cost
Design restrictions: light pipe can be a maximum of 1.20” in length, and the minimum height between the LED and front panel can present design challenges

Board-mount flexible:
Benefits: extensive selection of standard products, short lead times, enhanced flexibility, electrical isolation,
Design restriction: flexible light pipes cost more per unit than rigid options

14. Why is electrical isolation a benefit of using flexible board mount light pipes?

When flexible light pipes are board mounted, they receive the added protection of electrical isolation. This isolation can help prevent damage due to vandalism of the exterior of the device, as well as protection from electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Even static can cause ESD and damage electronic devices, so VCC’s FLXR series light pipe can help prolong the life of the device and prevent dangerous surges in electricity.

Check out our smart parking meter Case Study

Smart Parking Meters with Flexible Light Pipe – Case Study

15. Which LED is better for use with light pipes, one with a wide viewing angle, or a narrow angle?


flexible light pipe surface mount led

Exact specifications may depend on the design of the device, but as a general guideline, the wider the viewing angle, the more light loss. With a narrow viewing angle, such as 160 degrees, more light is directed into the light pipe and less is lost.

Contact VCC for assistance in determining the ideal specs for your design needs.

16. What’s the difference between a panel mount and a board mount light pipe?

To accommodate the design of your device, light pipes can be mounted on either the control panel or the PC board.

Panel-mount light pipes are attached directly to the indicator panel, which can deliver increased efficiencies during production if using press-fit light pipes.

vcc light pipe panel board mount

17. Are VCC’s light pipes waterproof?

VCC provides a wide range of IP and NEMA-rated products for a variety of applications. Many of our products meet NEMA 4 and IP56 standards. However, even higher moisture protection of NEMA 6 and IP67 can be attained on specific products, or by using additional seals or threaded construction.

Rigid light pipes with moisture protection:
vcc moisture protection light pipe

Flexible light pipes with moisture protection:

vcc moisture protection flexible light pipe

Download the light pipe brochure or refer to the product data sheet for more information.

18. What is a Fresnel element?

A Fresnel lens diffuses the light, making it ideal for environments where ambient light or a more high-contrast, concentrated illumination is required.
Fresnel lenses are best suited for applications where wide viewing angles a daytime visibility are crucial for effective status indication.

A series of concentric grooves bend parallel light rays to one focal point for high-contrast, no glare illumination.

19. Are light pipes suitable for high-vibration applications?

For high-vibration applications, an additional grommet or spring retainer can be used to help secure the light pipe to the panel.

For light pipes (LPC and LPCR) that are .250” to .500” in length, use the Grommet retainer. For LPC and LPCR light pipes that are between .500” to 1.000”, use a Spring Retainer to secure the light pipe to the panel.

Board-mount light pipes are available in rigid and flexible options.

With board-mount light pipes, the design may be limited, as everything must be designed around the light pipe and spacing of the board. However, if you can achieve your desired results with a standard board mount light pipe, you can take advantage of low cost sand short lead times.
vcc board mount light pipe

Contact VCC to determine which mounting option would be ideal for your design. Of course, a custom light pipe could also be the right solution for you.

20. Can I cut the light pipe myself?

Adjusting the length of a light pipe by anyone other than the manufacturer is not recommended.
Cutting the light pipe will change the optical characteristics, making it less effective in the device it was specified for. Any bubbles or scratches in the light pipe will ruin transference, as light will not be directed where it was intended.
VCC’s team can customize light pipe length for you in ways that do not yield less-than-optimal optical characteristics.

21. Can light pipes be polished or contain overmolding?

Light pipes can be overmolded, however it is not recommended.

Any overmolding of the light pipes can distort the transmission of the light due to total internal reflection (TIR), resulting in performance that doesn’t measure up to the design specifications or quality standards.

If additional resins are necessary, double molding is recommended. This process, also called two-shot molding, bonds two separate materials together in a single mold, making it ideal for complex parts in high volumes.

When creating custom light pipes, VCC uses stereolithography (SLA) for 3D printing prototypes used to validate the design. Any polishing is the last step in validating the design — the prototype light pipes are already chemical and mechanical polished by VCC before they are sent to the client.

The final components are produced with the proper surface finishes outlined by VCC in the industrial specification.

22. What is the maximum length of your rigid light pipes?

Because rigid light pipes are made of plastic or polycarbonate acrylic, there are certain length limits based on design features. Length limits for rigid light pipes:
Press fit: 1.20” max
Custom design: 1.5” max.
Standard design: up to 2” with several shorter versions available

23. What is the maximum length of your flexible light pipes?

Because flexible light pipes are made of fiber optic materials, there is no limitation on the length of a flexible light pipe. However, the desired light and optical properties of the light pipe may dictate the appropriate size.
Contact VCC’s team to discuss your specific design goals.

24. How far can the flexible light pipes bend?

To provide designers with maximum versatility, VCC’s flexible light pipes can bend all the way to 30 degrees. Of course, rigid light pipes should not be used in designs where they will bend.

25. Does VCC manufacture flexible light pipes?

Yes, VCC manufactures our light pipes at our production facility in Tijuana to maximize efficiencies close to our San Diego headquarters. Both VCC facilities are registered to ISO 9001 2015 Quality Management System standards. This means our systems governing the design, development, manufacturing, delivery and internal customer service processes have been verified by third-party audits.

26. What are the advantages of flexible light pipes?

One of the advantages of using flexible light pipes (hence the name) is the ability to bend and navigate the light pipe around other components on the PCB or device without sacrificing your desired light output. You can transmit light from the LED on your PCB to the HMI, even when the board is crowded with multiple indicators.

27. Which flexible light pipes does VCC offer?

Our extensive line of flexible light pipe products delivers unmatched selection and convenience in making sure your light goes the distance.

Standard light pipes include:


FLX3 Series


FLX Series


7512F Series


FLX_322 Series (IP56)


FLX 44X Series


FLXR Series

View the entire lineup in our light pipe brochure.

Need a custom flexible light pipe? Work with our team of engineers and designers to determine the appropriate solution for your application.

28. What are the design considerations for flexible light pipes?

Whenever your design doesn’t include light from a straight line (like a rigid light pipe), additional decisions must be made to determine the length and placement of your flexible light pipe, including:

    • Where the light source is located
    • How far the light needs to travel
    • Mounting and construction of the device
    • Additional design and space constraints

VCC’s experienced team can help you determine the exact product to meet your optical specifications.

29. How does a light pipe provide electrical isolation from the PCB?

The light pipe itself is made of acrylic or polycarbonate, and therefore does not conduct any electrical current from the front panel to the board — it simply transmits the light.

30. Are light pipes ideal when the device has several indicators?

Yes, when a device has multiple light sources, light pipes are recommended over panel mount indicators (PMIs) in most cases. Because PMIs typically have a higher cost per indicator, using several PMIs on a device would drive up the cost.
In most cases, we would recommend light pipes for a design with multiple indicators. Contact the VCC design team for help comparing options for your device.

31. Can light pipes be used in outdoor applications?

Light pipes that include the appropriate level of moisture protection for their applications can be used outdoors.

VCC has a wide array of rigid and flexible light pipes that are moisture-sealed and ideal for harsh environments like the great outdoors.

vcc moisture protection light pipe

vcc moisture protection flexible light pipe

In addition to moisture protection, the FLXR Series litepipe also features ESD protection and is resistant to shock and vibration. It also has a low-profile design that helps protect against vandalism.

32. Does VCC offer fully custom light pipes and light pipe design services?
Yes, 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 deliver the ideal solution.

We can also use a 3D printer to prototype the light pipe and further test prior to tooling the custom solution, ensuring the ideal viewing angle and lighting properties are achieved.

33. Is viewing angle of the LED important when using with a light pipe?

Yes, viewing angle is crucial when using a light pipe.

The narrower the angle of the LED, the more light can be transmitted through the light pipe to the indicator. VCC recommends a viewing angle of 160 degrees or less.

34. What is the UL rating for VCC’s light pipes?

The UL rating will vary by light pipe material, as VCC offers both acrylic and polycarbonate options.

Most of our light pipes have received a UL94V-0 rating, the best in the industry. The product data sheet will always list the specific UL rating.

In some instances, manufacturers and designers are required to obtain the UL Yellow Card for Plastics to demonstrate the components have passed rigorous safety and performance testing by Underwriters Laboratories and received a UL Recognized Component Mark.

If you need to obtain the UL Yellow Card for Plastics, contact the VCC team and we will provide it for you.

35. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) of a customized light pipe?

The MOQ for a custom VCC light pipe will depend on the order volume and customization required for the design. In some cases where minimal retooling of our equipment would be required, smaller custom orders can be filled.


Please contact our experienced team to discuss your specific design needs. Our experts can work with you to design, tool and manufacture exactly what you had in mind.

36. Can a light pipe itself be used as an illumination device, or is it strictly used as an indicator?

A light pipe diffuses light, and therefore would not be an effective illumination device, such as a flashlight.
VCC’s light pipes are to be used exclusively for status indication and work in tandem with the appropriate device design and power source.

37. What’s the difference between light refraction and reflection?

Light refraction occurs when a ray of light appears to break when it shines through different surfaces. This change in the direction of the light wave happens when the wave passes from one surface to another or the surface itself has a gradual change

For example, in a vacuum, the refraction rate is 1.00. But in water, it’s 1.33, meaning the speed at which the light travels is slightly slower in air than in a vacuum.

Other refraction rates that matter in light pipe design include:

Air = 1.0003
Acrylic = ~ 1.49

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s reflection. When light shines through a surface, it’s refracted. When light bounces off of a surface and shines elsewhere, that is the reflection.

Total internal reflection is the complete reflection of light from surrounding surfaces back into the medium. The phenomenon occurs if the angle of incidence is greater than a certain limiting angle, called the critical angle.

TIR is essential when calculating the light needed for a right-angle light pipe where the light must bend around a corner while reducing light loss.

For more on how refraction, reflection, and other factors impact light pipe performance, explore our Light Pipe Design Guide.

38. What is light loss? How can it be prevented using light pipe design?

Light loss occurs when some of the light intended to travel through the light pipe escapes before reaching its destination — the exit point where the end-user sees the light.

Also known as light bleeding, this scenario can be reduced by using a narrow viewing angle LED at the input instead of a wide viewing angle LED. The diagram below illustrates how closing the gap between the light pipe and the LED through a smaller viewing angle can minimize light loss.

There is no such thing as zero light loss from a light pipe, but there are several ways to help reduce light loss. To dig deeper into light loss and all things light pipe, we created an informative Light Pipe Design Guide.

39. What are some examples of different light pipes?

Light pipes come in all shapes and sizes. And if they aren’t optimized, you can see hot spots and other imperfections that can add up to inefficiency.

Effective light pipe design delivers a better experience for end-users by providing:

    • Uniform illumination

 

    • Maximum visibility

 

Examples of good light pipe design:

Dog valet

Smart parking meter

Robotic vacuum

Smart headphones

Medical alert system

Drone

Two-way communicator

Label maker

Less-than-ideal light pipe design is easy to see:

  • Hot spots
  • Uneven illumination

 

Bad light pipe examples:

Pet tracking system

To learn how to ensure proper light pipe design for your device, check out this free guide.

Collaborate with the best when it comes to illuminated components

Custom, standard or somewhere in between, VCC has the solutions to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness.
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