An ideal solution for a range of applications, flexible light pipes attach to the PCB and carry the light from board-mounted LEDs to the control panel while remaining secure and providing ESD protection.

A light pipe is placed very close to an LED light source on one end of a PCB board. Its optical-grade materials help carry the rays of light to the desired destination, typically at the user interface of a device.

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.

Easy installation - no matter the type of light pipe, the installation can be literally a snap with a snap-fit or press-fit light pipe.

We like that the floodlights on this Ring cam are bright enough for startling a trespasser or illuminating the driveway for a late-night trash run.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You could set it up to illuminate an area of your backyard that’s accessible only from the house—lighting things up while cutting down on notifications. On the other hand, it would be frustrating to not know what’s triggering the lights if the movement always stays out of frame.

Greater flexibility and control over - by adjusting the length, angle, and spacing, designers can get the exact visual indication and uniform light visibility they desire with the right light pipe design.

The Ring Floodlight Cam is one of many cameras in Ring's repertoire that works with end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This feature keeps your camera feed and recorded clips strictly private under digital lock and key.

Production efficiencies - when a device has multiple panel mount indicators (PMIs), the production costs can really add up. Light pipes are a great alternative that brings down the cost without skimping on reliability, design flexibility, or visual indication.

There’s no reason to chuck your Spotlight Cam in favor of the Floodlight Cam if you just want brighter lights. Instead, you can hardwire your existing external lights to the Spotlight Cam mount. They’ll turn on whenever the camera detects motion. How nifty is that?

To review Ring Floodlight Cams, we compared the specs of each model (Plus and Pro). We also stacked those specs against other floodlight cameras and outdoor security lights on the market. We read reviews, viewed third-party footage, read the user manuals and customer support documentation, and got our hands on the Floodlight Cam Plus. Read more about how we review products on our methodology page.

Yet, the Refractive Index isn’t the only number that needs to come into play when it comes to how a surface affects light.

If flexible and rigid were the only options, your options might be limited. Light pipes are designed to accommodate a wide range of mounting types.

As the name implies, panel mount light pipes are those that are attached directly to the control panel or user interface.

From crushable ribs and gaskets to retainer rings, there are several options to help seal in moisture and attain the IP or NEMA rating of the light pipe you need.

The Ring Spotlight Camera is better suited to small areas because its light only reaches 375 lumens. It has black-and-white night vision instead of color vision and can be purchased with different power-supply options. The Floodlight works better in large areas where you can mount it at the recommended height of 9 feet.

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To ensure your light pipe is the perfect fit for the application, environment, and device, our engineering team is made up of seasoned professionals across multiple disciplines, including:

Light modeling is essential to find the ideal specifications for the desired output. To accommodate a range of applications and needs, VCC provides standard and custom rigid light pipes with dome, semi-dome, and Fresnel lenses.

The floodlight’s motion sensor is already split into three 90° zones. You can adjust the sensitivity of each zone or turn them off entirely, but you can’t draw a unique activity zone for the lights.

For light pipes that will be operated in outdoor or high-vibration environments, there are several ways to help protect and secure them for continuous reliable operation.

If you want crystal-clear video quality, Ring’s outdoor cameras might disappoint you. We recommend the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera instead.

Light diffuser - light diffusers are used to spread light from an LED source over a defined area but also reduce the brightness of the light it transmits. Therefore, light diffusers are typically made of opaque materials. Light diffusers can be used in conjunction with light pipes or light guides. They also increase the viewing angle and are ideal for soft illumination of defined areas.

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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.

There’s a little more to it than that to get the best product for your design. That’s where light simulations come in. Contact our team to run a simulation and determine the ideal light pipe for your design.

From one end to the other, there are several physical features of a light pipe that can impact performance and visibility.

Rating. sensory products · a sensory light and illuminator curtain. ... Transform any room with this stunning curtain of light that creates a calming or ...

So, in addition to all the other variables that go into light pipe design (size, shape, brightness, distance to LED, viewing angle, and material used, to name a few), designers must also consider the Refractive Index.

Two other key considerations for the environment of your device are the storage and operating temperatures. While the storage and operating temps will vary by device, some good rules of thumb are:

We like the utility of the free Ring app. You don’t have to pay to get push notifications whenever motion is detected. Many brands don’t offer that. With Ring, it’s truly possible to self-monitor your camera for free.

The coolest feature in this upgraded version is “bird’s eye view,” which shows an aerial view of your home in the corner of the main screen. Yellow dots appear wherever motion was detected, letting you see how someone entered the motion activity zone and where they went.

We think Ring missed out on a great customization opportunity with the Floodlight Cam siren. First of all, we’re glad the 105 dB siren exists since it’s a great way to send a trespasser skedaddlin’.  We also like that you can decide to turn on the siren after checking the live feed.

When 90-degree angle alignment to the LED or PCB board is crucial, right-angle light pipes are mounted to the board directly over the LED. Right-angle light pipes are available in multiple board-mount options, including:

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The surface, or face, of a rigid light pipe is the acrylic or plastic piece that is visible to the end-user through the panel. These exterior surfaces are more important than they seem, as various properties can improve the performance of the light pipe.

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From the Ring app, you can draw motion activity zones for the camera to make sure you get notifications only when it counts. For example, if your neighbor’s yard ends up in the camera frame, you can make sure the camera ignores motion in that area.

Protect your eyes from laser hazards with laser safety glasses, goggles and face shields. We offer laser safety eyewear in a large range of filters and frames.

This number represents how much of the light is bent or refracted when it hits the medium. It also calculates how much light is reflected when reaching the medium.

Making indicator decisions early on in the design process can help you maximize efficiencies and get exactly what you want in the finished design. This includes visibility of status indicators from distances that help the end user maintain safe and reliable operation.

Of course, the light pipe(s) used will need to be rated for the same amount of heat that is produced by the LED or light source, so that must be a design consideration as well that can dictate the minimum allowable distance between the light pipe and the light source.

Flexible light pipes are also flexible in how they’re mounted — they work well with both panel and board mount designs. These light pipe types are ideal for devices where light needs to bend around corners and other obstacles.

The Ring Floodlight Cam is only available as a hardwired unit. That means you’ll have to cut into a wall or ceiling, access existing electrical wires, and splice in the unit—while following all electrical safety protocols, of course.

Working environment, application, device design, and even light pipe length and shape should dictate which face shape would be ideal for a specific product. For example:

Polarization: Oscillating patterns of light aren't strictly quantum but can help with quantum information.

But what about those times when you can’t check the live feed? Ring should have added an “arm/disarm” function with the siren to make this an even better outdoor security camera.

Ring camera

The floodlights automatically turn on when motion is detected but only at night. They also automatically turn off about 30 seconds after sensing motion, and you can adjust this time from the Ring app.

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Smart Parking Meter From hostile weather and the elements to vandalism, parking meters can really take a beating. But they must also reduce glare for day and night operation, especially when parking tickets are at stake. This flexible light pipe solution provides NEMA 4 and IP67 Ratings to protect from shock, vibration, and even ESD protection.

We also offer custom silicone light pipes, which provide the ideal IP and NEMA ratings to meet your design requirements.

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.

Both Ring Floodlight Cams feature two motion sensors: one for the floodlights and one for the camera. This makes the Floodlight Cam super customizable.

The main downside to the free version is that you can't record any videos. With the Ring Protect Basic plan, you can only record from one device. If you love your Ring Floodlight Cam and want to try other Ring products with video recording, you’ll have to upgrade to the $10/mo. Plus plan.

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On the same end where the LED is attached to the board, the light pipe can also be attached to the PCB or surface. The LED fits inside the light pipe and is also attached to the PCB. oard-mount light pipes can feature a rigid or right-angle design.

We touched on how beneficial light pipes can be — yet we can’t mention it enough. They deliver a host of benefits for designers and OEMs, such as:

So, when you’re specifying light pipes, there are several decisions to make right off the bat. Fortunately, some of them will be made for you as other options are eliminated.

Refraction is defined as the change in direction of a wave from one medium to another or from a gradual change in the medium itself.

Board-mount light pipes are designed for streamlined production and assembly. The PCB board can be printed in one line, the panel in another, and then they can be machine-assembled, saving time and costs vs. manual labor.

Compared to polycarbonate, acrylic is hands down superior when it comes to optical properties. It’s easy to mold, naturally UV stable for indoor use, and transmits light better than any plastic material available.

They shine at 2,000 lumens. For perspective, the Ring Spotlight Cam’s light is just 300 to 375 lumens, and our favorite motion detector light tops out at 1,800 lumens.

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.

Like with any new product design, the decisions made early in the process can shape some of the constraints that must be accommodated later in the process, from the size of the PCB to the amount of space on a panel. These decisions may not seem like that big a deal, but when light indication or user interface decisions are made early-on, the manufacturers  and ultimately the end users win.

When light pipes will be used outdoors, they must include the appropriate level of moisture protection for their applications as well as UV stability.

Surface Mount (SMD) LEDs For LEDs that are surface mounted to the panel, flexible and rigid light pipes are options available.

The Ring Floodlight Cam Plus records in 1080p at 15 fps. That’s sufficient for many people, but not anything to write home about.

Dome lights provide an even and homogeneous illumination which is ideal to illuminate objects with reflective, uneven or curved surfaces.

Rigid light pipes are meant to be used in devices where the light only needs to travel a short distance from the PCB and panel, compared to flexible light pipes that transmit light longer distances... Although rigid light pipes do not bend themselves, they can still move light around right angles and tight corners.

You might be able to spot some pitfalls in your home’s security by seeing how people get in or where they go. But the aerial images aren’t always high quality. (They’re borrowed from third-party sources.)

In a vacuum, light breaks at a rate of 1.0. But no one designs light pipes to be used in this type of vacuum, so additional consideration must be given to optimize performance.

Rigid LED light pipes are ideal for several industries and applications, including audio equipment, portable devices, and even mission-critical aviation equipment.

Flexible light pipes are perfect for transmitting light around tight corners and curves. And their only real limitation is your imagination. Here’s a creative use of a flexible light pipe:

ESD protection - light pipes can prevent electrostatic discharge that can damage the device by isolating the PCB or circuit board from the user interface

We’re hopeful that Ring will release battery- and solar-powered versions of the Floodlight Cam like they did with their Spotlight Cam.

It may seem obvious, but the environment plays a huge role in machine reliability and operation. Before landing on a light pipe, ask yourself, “Where will the device be used?”

In this case, doing a small pilot run could give OEMs and designers the quantity they need to verify the concept of their final product.

For industrial and other high-vibration environments, additional hardware may be needed to secure the light pipe in place.

Light pipes transmit roughly 80 to 90 percent of the light from the LED source, depending on design and spacing. The closer the light pipes are to the LED(s), the more efficiently they can transfer light.

There’s also no ability to adjust the resolution, frame rate, or bit rate to improve streaming over slow internet connections.

DC power supplies demand safe and reliable operation on job sites. This low-profile, rigid light pipe solution delivered maximum brightness and minimal light loss.

VCC’s in-house 3D printer can print light pipes using photopolymer resin with different additives then hand polish them for use in products. These in-house printed pipes can match approximately 82-95% of the light characteristics delivered by going the injection molding route. In this case, doing a small pilot run could give OEMs and designers the quantity they need to verify the concept of their final product.

This radar technology also pinpoints how far away someone is from your home, allowing you to fine-tune motion activity zones and reduce the number of notifications lighting up your phone.

Rigid light pipes are meant to be used in applications where the light doesn’t need to bend around a corner or angle. Therefore, these do not bend like flexible light pipes. They’re made of polycarbonate rods that transfer light from the PCB to the user interface.

The geometry or shape of the light pipe itself is another variable. The shapes and materials selected are just a few factors that can determine how much light makes it to the end where the interface is located.

Polycarbonate light pipes provide outstanding light transmission while being more suitable for higher-temp operations. Polycarbonate is also available in UV-stabilized grades that are ideal for outdoor use.

If you’re a seasoned DIYer, maybe that’s no sweat. Ring provides instructions to help you get it right. But if you’re not confident about tackling this yourself, you’ll have to call an electrician, and that’s an extra expense.

Of course, light pipe position can impact the light properties. To minimize light loss, a general rule is to use an LED with a narrow viewing angle of 160 degrees or less and position the light pipe and LED no more than 0.05” apart.

Personal Aviation Jetpack When you’re several hundred feet in the air, there’s no time to question your aviation system’s status. See how a board-mounted light pipe solution enables clear and reliable communication day or night, even at a 140-degree viewing angle.

So why wouldn’t you always use acrylic as your go-to light pipe material? There may be instances where you need a more durable light pipe that still performs well but also provides more resistance to heat. That’s where polycarbonate comes in.

Although the latest version of the Ring app features geofencing, it doesn’t currently support floodlight automations. This means you can’t schedule the lights to turn on/off when you (and your phone) enter or exit the geofence perimeter. But Ring works with IFTTT, so you can set up an applet to perform this function instead.

Reliable, uniform performance - when combined with LEDs, light pipes of various lengths deliver a consistent and uniform illumination that can last the life of the device

Minimized light leaks - when excess light shines through a device without illuminating the indicator properly, it leads to wasted light and provides a poor user experience in the final device. Selecting the right light pipe and optimal placement between the LED and panel delivers optimal illumination without losing light.

Four different lightguide collimators are used to either couple light from free space into a lightguide or collimate light from a lightguide to form a ...

At one end, you have the input, or where the LED fits inside the light pipe. On the other hand, you have the output or exit surface, where the light travels to the indicator light or user interface.

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.

Darkfield microscopy is a specialized illumination technique that capitalizes on oblique illumination to enhance contrast in specimens that are not imaged well ...

In addition to the rigid vs. flexible decision, there are several other considerations when choosing a light pipe for your design. Your power source and overall design footprint can dictate which mounting type you should use with your light pipe.

RingFloodlight Cam Wired Pro

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Because light has unique properties, designing a light pipe like the right-angle illustration shown above will result in significant light loss at the TIR. To avoid light loss, incorporate the critical angle to create a geometry to guide the light around the critical angle without having the light escape. This concept also applies to light pipes with round corners (or any geometry your design includes).

Audio Equipment Handmade audio equipment like mixers, preamps, compressors, and mic presses need reliable indication for adjusting levels of various inputs to create distortion and signature sound. High-intensity LEDs pair well with rigid light pipes with crushable ribs for easy, secure installation.

Flexible light pipes are the exact opposite of rigid light pipes. They are made of a polycarbonate fiber that is designed to be extremely flexible. These bendable properties make it possible to transmit light around corners and tight spaces without losing much energy.

Portable Device Charger Powering up to 20 devices at once requires reliable and intuitive communication. Light pipes like the LFC Series provide a soft, uniform glow and a wide viewing angle of 120 degrees for across-the-room indication.

Over the last few years, 3D printing has changed the game in light pipe prototyping, allowing some manufacturers to use in-house printers to dramatically reduce production times. Shaving days or weeks off of a timeline is a huge benefit for designers and OEMs, but 3D printing can also provide a less common advantage: completing small light pipe runs to be used in actual products.

Light pipe - the term “light pipe” can also be called a “light guide” or “light tube.” To make things more confusing, they’re sometimes called “litepipes”, too. A light pipe is a rod made of optical acrylic or polycarbonate that transmits light from a light source, typically an LED, at the circuit board to the panel of the device. These light pipes are ideal for carrying the light in a small space, like a status indicator or control panel.

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FloodlightCamera

The two most popular materials by far are optical acrylic and polycarbonate. Both of these materials are lightweight yet durable. They also possess the optical properties manufacturers require for a variety of applications.

The Basler Ace 2 camera is the next generation ace. It includes the features above, plus status LED, removable IR cut filter, and robust M8 connector. It is ...

Ring Alarm's new Floodlight Cam Plus improves on the Ring Floodlight Cam by offering color night vision, incredibly bright floodlights, and even more motion activity zones. But it only comes in a hardwired version, and its video quality is just okay. Ring’s latest release—the Floodlight Cam Pro—offers better sound quality and connects to dual-band Wi-Fi, but doesn’t offer upgraded video quality.

Ring recommends installing the Floodlight Cam nine feet high. At this height, the motion sensor detects movement up to 30 feet away, and the camera clearly shows people’s faces. Mounting the Ring Floodlight camera lower than nine feet reduces the motion sensor’s range, and mounting it higher reduces the camera’s image quality.

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. 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’s custom light pipe services can optimize your design while reducing costs and maximizing efficiencies. Here’s how the design process works:

The floodlight motion sensor also has a wider field of view (270°) than the camera (140°). Depending on how you customize the activity zones, the floodlights might kick on before the camera catches any movement.

But this isn’t the best camera choice if video quality is your number-one concern or if you need free video storage. We’re also looking forward to a battery-powered, solar-powered, or plug-in option for a more DIY-friendly experience.

Easily customizable solutions - light simulations and ray tracing with advanced software help design teams develop the ideal indication solution that can achieve all of the manufacturer’s goals

For example, even complex custom light pipe concepts like this non-surgical medical device can be validated quickly and efficiently with our in-house 3D printing capabilities.

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.

There’s also total internal reflection (TIR), which is the angle at which light is reflected when none of it shines through to a surface exit. Instead, it is reflected from one surface to another where it is visible.

The app also features an on/off toggle for the lights, and you can set up light schedules to keep the floodlights on throughout the night.

Some light pipes, like the FLXR Series litepipe, protect from all the above, and have electrostatic shock discharge (ESD) protection.

A well-designed human-machine interface (HMI) can deliver faster throughput and reduced downtime. Custom, flexible — and even rigid — light pipes open up a wide range of design possibilities by providing greater flexibility and control.

Even with all of the design options available in standard flexible and rigid light pipes, there’s still plenty of need for a custom light pipe solution. Having a custom light pipe designed for your application may seem expensive, but you may be surprised at how affordable a custom design can be, often ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 (not including tooling costs).

To really maximize efficiencies in your product design, you need to know the pros and cons of the different types of light pipes.

Depending on the equipment and the design of the user interface of a device, a product can require more than one and up to many indicators. For designs that require multiple indicators, light pipes are an ideal solution due to their low cost, excellent visual communication, and design flexibility.

Light pipes offer many advantages in efficiently transporting light in a defined area. But they can also transport the energy of electromagnetic waves, such as UV, infrared (IR), visual light, laser, and other types.

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