Anyone know about lightpipe design?

[David_M]

I need to illuminate 4 apertures with a solid block of light using individual LEDs (similar to the attached photo). It seems like putting a polished concave cut into the back of the shafts would help spread the light. However I don't think this alone will be enough to achieve the sleek effect I'm looking for. Does anyone have any design tips for this kind of thing? For assembly purposes, I want the 4 LEDs to sit on the same PCB. Thanks

This thread is inactive and closed by the PTC Community Management Team. If you would like to provide a reply and re-open this thread, please notify the moderator and reference the thread. You may also use "Start a topic" button to ask a new question. Please be sure to include what version of the PTC product you are using so another community member knowledgeable about your version may be able to assist.

[dschenken]

Were it for me, I would get a copy of POV-Ray and use that to evaluate the performance of the LEDs/light pipes.

Other than that there are some good optics software: Code V (Synopsys Optical Solutions)  and FRED (photonengr.com)come to mind.

The main difference is that POV-Ray only does the evaluation and it isn't quantitative while the others are full engineering tools. For just LEDS it doesn't seem like you would need more than the evaluation part.

[TomD.inPDX]

It all depends on how critical it is.  The idea is that you want to internally reflect light.  Therefore, if it is not your target face, you want it to be rounded.

It also appears you want broad scattering; this may call for additional reflective surfaces between the source and the target.

It is not clear where you intend to put the light source or sources.

[David_M]

Sounds like there's some good stuff here. If I put tiny holes through from each of the flat sides, would that help with broad scattering?

The LEDs will eventually go in those little cut-outs on the back. I will try to optimise the shape of these to take account of the sloped front surfaces. It is these orange surfaces that should illuminate.

[TomD.inPDX]

You might be okay if the LED is a wide angle to take advantage of the arc.

This is easy enough to prototype to see if further intervention is required.

Remember to frost/diffuse the presentation face.

[RaphMORIN]

There are specific materials to diffuse led lights. This one for example => PMMA coulé - perspex® special led

Maybe could help.