Fiber optic lighting--simple yet sophisticated: a California lighting company shows how illumination schematics can be functional, fashionable and fun. (FX Special Effects).Fiber optic lighting has long been valued by museum curators because it has the ability to focus bright, white light on displays without the intense infrared heat, or the damaging wavelengths of ultraviolet rays Ultraviolet rays Invisible light rays with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light but longer than that of x rays. Mentioned in: Sunscreens . Recent advances in this lighting technology has brought fiber optics' potential to the forefront of designers' attention. As a functional light source, fiber optics fiber optics, transmission of digitized messages or information by light pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Each fiber is surrounded by a cladding having a high index of refractance so that the light is internally reflected and travels the length of the fiber are a great choice for use in store fixtures and display cases because the white light is a brilliant, bright color that illuminates an item being displayed without fading its colors, says Michael Weber Michael Weber (born March 17th 1966 in Melbourne Australia died January 2nd 1999) was the lead guitarist of The Seminal Rats from 1984 until his death from an accidental heroin overdose. , specification sales specialist at Fiberstars Inc. in Fremont, CA. "In a display case, it is those infrared and UV wavelengths that are the most damaging to organic materials, like silk scarves or leather handbags," Weber says. He recommends that end-users keep the cable length of the fibers to less than 30 feet for interior applications, like cases, to maximize the light's color and intensity. In outdoor applications, such as landscape lighting, it is okay to use a longer cable because people do not notice the degradation in the color and its brilliance as much. Fiber optic cables are connected to a central illuminating lamp, most of which require access to cool, circulating air. In the instance of display case lighting, Weber says the company offers a vent kit that exhausts warm air out and pulls cool air in. "All new Tiffany jewelry stores in the U.S. use our system. They designed their cases to absorb some of the air-handling noise, and carpeting in the store also helps reduce the HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) In the home or small office with a handful of computers, HVAC is more for human comfort than the machines. In large datacenters, a humidity-free room with a steady, cool temperature is essential for the trouble-free white noise," he adds. Fiberstars is also offering a new energy-efficient lighting system option that does not require a fan to cool the housing unit, although Weber still recommends that if the illuminator illuminator (light box), n a source of light with uniform intensity for viewing radiographs. illuminator the source of light for viewing an object. is enclosed in something like a display case with a fan, there should be some air exchanged. There are two basic types of synthetic optic cable for lighting --arge core and multiple-strand. Multiple-strand is typically used in end-lit applications where the cable is used to carry light from the illuminator to its final destination. In side-lit applications, a large core cable is typically used because it is both the carrier and fixture. Weber says both large core and multiple-strand cables work both ways, although strand is better for display cases as it is more flexible and rugged. A Rainbow of Celer "You can change a color simply by putting a filter between the light source and the fibers, thus blocking out all the other colors in the light's spectrum except the color that is desired," Weber says. "The color choices are unlimited really, because we use diacritic A small mark added to a letter that changes its pronunciation, such as an acute accent (á), a grave accent (à) and a cedilla (ç). chips and there are many people who make them. Fiberstars offers 20 standard colors, such as shades of Noun 1. shades of - something that reminds you of someone or something; "aren't there shades of 1948 here?" reminder - an experience that causes you to remember something blue, orange, green, yellow and more. But if a custom color is desired, it can be made for an additional cost," he adds. With virtually any color under the rainbow available, fiber optic lighting schemes can be added and changed to create a special effect in a project. Weber says color wheels are another popular option because several colors can be chosen for the wheel. "You can change the color of the light, which changes the effect it produces. Some people put seasonal colors on the wheel and change the color of the lights to match the season or the holiday at hand," says Weber. Other reasons to change a color might be to produce a soothing effect in an otherwise stressful environment, or to produce gaiety Gaiety See also Cheerfulness, Joviality, Joy. Gallantry (See CHIVALRY.) butterfly orchis symbol of gaiety. in an enclosed social atmosphere. For the fiber-optic afficionado, there are computer-controlled illuminators available that allow a person to use several colors and patterns together, systems that allow colors to be changed to musical scores, and even perforated wheels that make the lights twinkle. Ideas that Illuminate Mind Besides lighting up display cases, fiber optics can be used for cove applications, which is a new benefit of the product. The company's new 400-watt halide halide: see halogen. illuminator makes fiber optic white as bright as neon white, thereby making it a conceivable option for cove lighting Cove lighting is a form of indirect lighting built into ledges, recesses, or valences in a ceiling or high on the walls of a room. It may be used as primary lighting, or for aesthetic accent. . Because they do not need power, lamps, or transformers at their locations, small fiber optic fixtures can fit in places traditional electric fixtures cannot, such as inside kitchen cabinetry, curio cu·ri·o n. pl. cu·ri·os A curious or unusual object of art or piece of bric-a-brac. [Short for curiosity. cabinets and entertainment centers in the home, says Weber. Other design ideas to consider are: the star ceiling application which recreates the night sky with twinkle points, down lighting, wall washing, accent lighting, diminutive point source lighting, glass block lighting, step lighting, stairway rail lighting, underwater spots in pools, landscape lights, payers, signage and more. Design applications abound. Since the fiber carries light instead of electricity, the system is weatherproof and durable and can be used for any indoor or outdoor installation imaginable. KEY SOURCES Fiberstars Inc. Fremont, CA (800) 327-7877 www.fiberstars.com Circle #259 Editor's Note Editor's Note (foaled in 1993 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Champion 2 YO Colt Forty Niner, who in turn was a son of Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, Beware Of The Cat. Trained by D. SPECIAL EFFECTS special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. is a bimonthly bi·month·ly adj. 1. Happening every two months. 2. Happening twice a month; semimonthly. adv. 1. Once every two months. 2. Twice a month; semimonthly. n. pl. feature celebrating the creative uses of decorative overlays, finishes, solid surfacing materials, hardware and other design-oriented materials. We invite readers to submit ideas for future Special Effects columns. We're interested in receiving leads that include high-quality photographs and notes about the projects depicted. Submissions can be sent to: Lisa Whitecomb/Special Effects Editor Wood & Wood Products/CWB 400 Knightsbridge Pkwy P.O. Box 1400 Lincolnshire, IL 60069 Special Effects is online at www.specialfxmagazine.com and at Industrial Strength Woodworking's Web site, www.iswonline.com. Read all of the Special Effects columns that have run in Wood & Wood Products and Custom Woodworking Business since January 2001. RELATED ARTICLE: galleria HALOGEN LIGHTING SYSTEM Hafele America Co. offers a low voltage Low voltage is an electrical engineering term that broadly identifies safety considerations of an electricity supply system based on the voltage used. While different definitions exist for the exact voltage range covered by "low voltage", the most commonly used ones include "mains halogen lighting system. The lights attach to rails or cables, allowing adjustment and focal attention to the area that needs illumination, says the company. Various light styles and accessories are available. Circle #260 www.hafeleonline.com (336) 889-2322 DECORATIVE ROPE LIGHTING Outwater Plastics offers Flexlight, a 120-volt and low-voltage format decorating rope lighting. Comprising 1.2 watt subminiature sub·min·i·a·ture adj. Smaller than miniature; exceedingly small. incandescent bulbs spaced 1-in, apart in flexible PVC PVC: see polyvinyl chloride. PVC in full polyvinyl chloride Synthetic resin, an organic polymer made by treating vinyl chloride monomers with a peroxide. coils, Flexlight is available in eight different colors, in either 1/2-in. or 3/8-in. diameter formats, in 30-ft or 150-ft full coils that can be cut in increments. Circle #261 www.outwater.com (800) 631-8375 MINIATURE FLUORESCENT LAMP Edge Inc. Plus offers a miniature fluorescent lamp, which is completely self contained, allowing for 20,000 hours or more of bulb life. Up to eight lamps can be connected. Circle #262 www.edgeincplus.com (954) 370-9555 THE BEAUTY OF WOOD TILE Real Wood Tiles offers a tile product featuring a beautiful, natural wood appearance, fortified fortified (fôrt  ´fīd),adj containing additives more potent than the principal ingredient. for strength and durability for use in a wide variety of applications. They are made from North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. hardwood veneers saturated with thermosetting resins. Circle #263 www.realwoodtiles.com (866) 852-2340 A NEW TWIST FOR MOULDINGS AND TRIM ZaGO Manufacturing Co. Inc. introduces a unique way to follow curved walls, arch windows or other curved applications using ZaGO flexible trims and mouldings. The mouldings are made from a polymer material that resembles traditional wood moulding in grain, texture and color. Circle #264 www.flexibletrims.com (973) 643-4433 E-Info Use E-info at.com, Wood & Wood Products' free online Reader Service, to more quickly receive information about products featured in this issue. |
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