Choosing the Right Light Pipe: Comparison of Rigid and Flexible

Light pipes are critical components in many modern electronics applications. In this article, learn about what light pipes are, then learn about different pipe construction methods and how to choose the right one for your design.

Light pipes are clear tubes in an electronic design that transmit light from a light source to a user interface. Due to their design, they can provide intuitive user indication with high efficiency.  

Typically, light pipes are available in two materials - rigid polycarbonate or flexible optical fiber. Let’s explore key characteristics and ideal applications for each:

Rigid Light Pipes

Rigid pipes are typically best suited for use in applications where the light doesn’t need to travel a long distance or go around any corners. They tend to be less expensive. 

Flexible Light Pipes

Flexible pipes are a bit more advanced than rigid pipes. They can transmit light over distances up to 330 feet. A key feature is that they’re able to transmit light around curves or corners as well, which allows for complex product designs where the user interface might be far from the light source.

Bivar’s line of Zero Light Bleed SZ Series light pipes provides necessary space savings, power savings, and noise immunity to help bring your product vision to life. Click through to the article to learn more.

 

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