Date Announced: 07 Dec 2010 To make a ceiling fan light engine with LEDs instead of incandescent light bulbs, OptoElectronix needed a clear plastic that met the most-stringent Underwriters Laboratory (UL) standards.“We needed to find a clear, UL 94 5VA-rated material that offered impact resistance for our ULE5000 Universal Light EngineTM module,” said Pat Miller, applications engineering manager, San Jose, Calif.-based OptoElectronix. “Bayer MaterialScience guided us toward the correct material. In fact, they’re the only company that had a material that satisfied all our needs, including the UL standards.”The material – Makrolon® FR7087 polycarbonate – is believed to be the first transparent 5VA polycarbonate at 3 mm, optimized for LED light transmission.“To pass the 5VA rating, the plastic cannot deform significantly with a flame physically in contact with the material for a period of 30 seconds,” said Miller. “Furthermore, the material has strong impact resistance, which also allows us to pass an additional requirement of UL.”The plastic is used in the lens assembly of the ULE5000 Universal Light Engine module. The module is round with a diameter of approximately 8 inches and is 1-½ inches high. Originally designed to operate as a solid state light (SSL) option for a ceiling fan light, the ULE5000’s high-output light with isotropic dispersion pattern is also ideal for drum lights, large cylinder lighting, semi-flush lighting, rectangular wall sconces, bollard lighting, and stand-alone bowl lights, Miller explained.Typically, the ULE5000 will last as long as the application in which it is used, meaning it may not ever need to be replaced. It also generates far less heat and is over three times more energy efficient than incandescent or halogen bulbs. Specifically, it features a 100-watt equivalent to incandescent light output, consumes approximately 30 watts of power and offers up to 50,000 hours of life, according to OptoElectronix.In addition to meeting the UL 94 5VA requirements, the polycarbonate plastic offers a clear, glass appearance with the renowned impact strength and moldability of Makrolon polycarbonate. The plastic also has very good light transmission (close to 90 percent at 3mm) while having around 1 percent haze.The material has been issued a UL Plastic Recognition Yellow Card and listed on the UL Online Certifications Directory at http://tinyurl.com/FR7087-yellow-card after being subjected to rigorous UL testing, including glow wire flammability and ignition.“We developed this UL 94 5 VA-rated material to meet the market’s needs,” said Kevin Dunay, market segment leader, IT, Electrical/Electronics (EE) Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “This latest material application shows our commitment to providing market-driven product innovations to help our customers, such as OptoElectronix, develop state-of-the-art technology.”Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.OptoElectronix is the leader in “The Art of LEDs” — the conception, design, and manufacture of cutting-edge, standard, highly efficient, highly reliable LED light engines. OptoElectronix brings together many decades of unique expertise and experience in LED systems, an intimate knowledge of the lighting industry, and a thorough understanding of the manufacturing disciplines and requirements of both. OptoElectronix is focused on introducing standard LED-based platforms that are appropriate for a variety of commercial, consumer, and OEM applications. OptoElectronix is based in San Jose, California, with its design center and LED manufacturing operations in Penang, Malaysia.
Contact
Bill Allan Phone: 412-777-5200 For more information about Bayer MaterialScience's Makrolon FR7087 1-800-662-2927 e-mail: [email protected] For more information about OptoElectronix 408-437-9455 www.optoelectronix.com
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