Rapid changes throughout different industries came with the introduction of the 3D printer. Also in the world of optics manufacturing this revolution has its impact. Until 5 years ago, as a lighting designer you were fully depending on manufacturers who build the tools for optics manufacturing. When your idea was established, you had to give your design to the manufacturer which made a tool or mold in several months, up to one year. In this way, receiving your product could take a long time. Iterations to your design were also limited, due to the inflexibility of the tooling. Due to this factors, creating a fully functional optic could be time-consuming project.
Customized printed optics
Nowadays, with the introduction of 3D printers, it is quite easy to create your own customized lighting design. By designing your own three-dimensional model, with use of CAD software, you are able to create your own customized optical design. Before the evolution of the 3D printer, the easiest and less expensive way to iterate your lighting design were at the easiest stages of the development cycle. However, during this early stage it is not possible to predict the developments of for example LED diodes that you would like to use in your product. The result, you had to make adaptations and iterations based on dated information.
An iterative design process can be applied throughout every new lighting product development process, due to the rise of 3D printing. Implementing iterative design methods can be highly effective when you would like to create an optic which perfectly fits your needs. 3D printing allows you to catch up with the rapid changes in the market, during all the stages of the product development process.
Iterative design process: suitable for designing optics
An iterative design process can be applied on almost any new product development. Most of the time, an iterative design process starts with a problem which will result in a first prototype. Different problems can occur when creating your customized optics. For example a short timeframe or different facets that have to be implemented in the one single lense. Also when you are designing an optical product it is likely that you will have a specific lighting image in mind. The problem with manufacturing processes that rely on tooling or molds is that you are not flexible when it comes to adjusting your design. With 3D printing you are more flexible when it comes to prototyping or even the manufacturing of small to midsize series.
Iterative lighting design
In an iterative design process the first stage is to develop an inspirational or functional prototype, which can be tested. In this way, your development team can evaluate your optical design and you can iterate your design to create a flawless lighting design for your project. In the future, you are able to upload your design in your personal gallery at our website. After uploading you are able to compare the uploaded models with each other. With aid of our instant quotation tool you will receive your quote immediately. This results in your personal gallery were you get an overview of the different products you uploaded and their pricing range. By improving your design and testing it in a short time-frame more innovative lighting solutions can be created.
3D printing service: showcases
Several companies throughout different industries used our 3D printing service. For example the company Oligo, they created a lamp called the Birly. The challenge was to create a secondary optic for their lighting fixture. In this way, the light distribution could be optimized without the loss of the appearance of their luminaire design. Through quick iterations the perfect lighting project could be created. Oligo stated: "Thanks to the ease, speed and flexibility of LUXeXceL's fast Printoptical process we have got an even more perfect and functionally improved luminaire at the same time."
3D printing: fast throughput time
When it comes to rapid prototyping or fast manufacturing of optics, 3D printing could help companies out to solve their problems. OEM manufacturer F-Sign used our technology in order to create something unique in a very short timeframe. The problem was that they needed a specific lense suitable for their LED fixture. The timeframe was very short, the lenses had to be ready in only two weeks. Printoptical Technology allows you to manufacture a fully functional optic in a short throughput time. By using 3D printed optics, F-Sign managed to get their product ready in time. They stated: "Without the speed of LUXeXceL's fast printing process for LED optics we would never have managed to get our show presentation ready in time". We helped F-Sign by decreasing their throughput time marginally, which resulted in a finished and fully functional end-product within two weeks.
Optics for your own project
Iterative lighting design becomes reality for lighting designers with 3D printed optics. Due to rapid prototyping with short throughput times you are able to create the perfect optic suitable for your project. Design flexibility is key with our 3D printing service. Upload your CAD file on our website and after a printability check your file can be printed. After printing you will receive your optic within 10 working days.
Hire a LUXeXceL Approved Designer
Do you have little experience in designing an optic for your lighting design? Or could you uses some extra help from experts in the optical design industry? Feel free to take a look at our Designer support page. At this page you are able to get in touch with optics designers throughout the world. The designers featured at this section of our website have all worked once before with our 3D printing service. In this way, they are capable of designing your products in a way that it will suit our printing capabilities. Creating a perfect lighting design without specific optical design knowledge now belongs to your possibility.
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