Opto-Electronics


Flexible LED strips

31 October 2012 Opto-Electronics

A versatile range of flexible LED strips is available from OMC. Unlike many LED lighting strips which are designed for relatively short-term, decorative use, OMC’s Flexistrip product uses closely spaced, ultra high-brightness LEDs and incorporate a number of features that ensure long-lasting, bright and even illumination.

Strips can be cut to length with scissors and fixed in place using the pre-fitted, high bonding adhesive foam tape backing. Ideal for a wide range of industrial and sign-making applications, Flexistrip benefits from in-built electrostatic and reverse-polarity protection and an extra-thick copper substrate for enhanced reliability and longevity.

Positive and negative connections to a low voltage supply power the strips, and a simple two-wire link can be used to carry power from one strip to the next. The high number of LEDs per metre eliminates many of the most commonly seen problems with LED illumination – such as light and dark patches or ‘spottiness’ in a beam.

For optimal reliability, the LEDs are bin-sorted very tightly, with voltage bins as narrow as ±0,05 V. This results in all the LEDs on the strip

being driven at the same drive current. Without it, some chains will draw more current than others and can be overdriven, causing groups of LEDs to fail over time. In addition, the bin sorting ensures consistency of brightness along the strip.

To enhance the range’s versatility further, OMC has developed two fundamental types of Flexistrip: front-firing and side-firing. The front-firing version features 90 ultra-bright LEDs per metre, is 10,5 mm wide and offers a beam angle of 120 degrees and the light is emitted from the flat face of the strip.

Total strip height is very compact – only 3,6 mm – and can be reduced further to 2,1 mm if required by omitting the VHB foam tape backing. This strip type is ideal for wide angle applications such as lighting up vending machines and chiller cabinets, point-of-sale displays, illuminated furniture and lighting up lightboxes and built-up letter faces as an alternative to fluorescent or neon.

Side-firing Flexistrip benefits from 78 ultra-bright LEDs per metre, is 12,5 mm wide and has a unique elliptical beam profile. This 30 x 60 degree beam, emitted from the side of the strip face, enhances intensity transverse to the strip while achieving fast beam mixing between adjacent LEDs, making it ideal for edge-illumination, halo effects, directional applications and for firing light over a longer distance.

Total strip height is 7,0 mm, or only 5,5 mm without the VHB tape. This strip type is also suitable for being recessed into a routed channel or groove such as in display boards or signals.

Due to their high reliability when compared to decorative LED strips, in addition to signage and display applications, the Flexistrip is also finding a variety of uses in the industrial sector, for example in illuminating workstations, CNC machinery and other industrial equipment.

Both strip types are available in 12 V and 24 V versions and in a wide range of colours, and the front-firing strip is also available in RGB.

For more information visit www.omc-uk.com





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