1.
Are Fraen’s standard FHS and FLP optics “lenses” or “reflectors”?
2. What are the
pros and cons of your optics as compared
to conventional reflectors?
3. How is beam angle specified?
4. Where are your optics
designed?
5. Where are
your optics manufactured?
6. Can I purchase
optics directly from Fraen?
7. Are photometric
curves (.ies format) available for your
optics?
8. What is
the purpose of the FTS-S and FTS-SS spacer
rings, and why are they only used with
the Lambertian Luxeon LEDs?
9. Are your
optics patented?
10. Will you
design an optic for me to have manufactured
elsewhere?
11. Your FHS
optics claim 85% efficiency, but I have
seen other optics claiming 90%. Are they
better than yours?
12. What Fraen optic produces
the narrowest beam?
13. Do you have an optic
to couple the light from a high-power
LED into a fiber optic cable?
14. What are the material
of your optics and optic holders?
15. What is the temperature
at which we can use your optics, and
holders?
16. How do I attach your
optic/lens holder assembly to my heat
sink or printed circuit board?
1. Are
Fraen’s standard FHS and FLP optics “lenses” or “reflectors”?
Our optics are hybrids (reflector + lens). They are primarily total internal
reflection (TIR) optics, but the center section (the hole) contains refraction
optics (lens).
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2. What are the pros and
cons of your optics as compared to conventional reflectors?
TIR is
one of the few physical phenomena, which can produce
100% efficiency. This is the principle that allows fiber
optics to carry telecommunication signals over great
distances with very low losses. This is not to say that
our optics
are 100% efficient. However, there are inherent advantages:
coated reflectors are only as efficient and durable as
the coating; no coatings or plating are required on TIR
designs; and reflectors are not able to utilize/control
the on-axis light.
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3. How is beam angle specified?
Beam angle describes the measurement of the radiation pattern of the
optic output. The method used is called Full Width Half-Maximum (FWHM).
The resulting angle is inclusive of all of the light within the range
of half of the peak intensity. For example a 30º optic with an on-axis
output of 100 lux would measure 50 lux at 15º off-axis. The beam angles
for Fraen optics are specified using FWHM.
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4. Where are your optics
designed?
The optics are designed by Fraen Srl (the optical R&D division of
Fraen Corporation) located in Cusago Italy, near Milan.
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5. Where are your optics
manufactured?
The optics are primarily manufactured in Reading, Massachusetts, USA.
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6. Can I purchase optics
directly from Fraen?
Fraen sells our standard products mainly through distributors based on region and brand of LED requiring the optic.
Please refer to the distribution chart on
our contact page or contact Fraen
for more assistance.
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7. Are photometric curves
(.ies format) available for your optics?
Yes, but only upon request.
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8. What is the purpose of
the FTS-S and FTS-SS spacer rings, and why are they only
used with the Lambertian Luxeon LEDs?
The spacer ring is used to position the lambertian optic at the correct
distance from the LED. The Lambertian LEDs have a high dome (tall primary
lens) and the Fraen optics need to be positioned above, and not touching
the top of the Luxeon primary lens. The Batwing Luxeon has a low dome
(short primary lens), and the Fraen optics for batwing LEDs have 4 small
bumps to set the proper distance and assure clearance. Spacer rings are
not used when the optic includes a holder.
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9. Are your optics patented?
We did not invent TIR or plastic, but there are features of our optics
and holders that are patented.
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10.
Will you design an optic for me to have manufactured
elsewhere?
Fraen has developed vertical integration capabilities allowing us to
be the best all-around source for plastic optics for LEDs. For this reason,
we prefer to provide a proposal for a complete solution (design – prototype – tool – mold – assemble).
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11. Your FHS optics claim
85% efficiency, but I have seen other optics claiming
90%. Are they better than yours?
Probably not. The efficiency can be defined various ways. When considering
total light output versus total light input, our FHS optics are greater
than 90% efficient. When considering only the light output within the
specified beam angle, for example 10º, approximately 85% of the input
light will fall within this area.
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12. What Fraen optic produces
the narrowest beam?
Currently, the FHS-HNB1-LB01-0 used with the Luxeon Batwing provides
the narrowest beam. We will be releasing a larger diameter optic “35mm” with
a narrower output angle (approximately 4º) early 2005.
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13. Do you have an optic
to couple the light from a high-power LED into a fiber
optic cable?
Yes, we a have a standard coupler designed
to put the light into a 7mm to 8mm diameter fiber bundle or lightpipe.
If you have a requirement for a smaller or larger diameter, please contact
us. However, consider that the efficiency will reduce dramatically as
the optic diameter is reduced.
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14. What is the material
of your optics and optic holders?
The FLP, FHS, FT3 and FDG series optics are made of PMMA (Acrylic). We
make some other optics in polycarbonate (PC). The holders are made of
ABS/PC blend.
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15. What is the temperature
at which we can use your optics and holders?
The recommended operating and storage temperature range is from –40ºC
to +80ºC.
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16. How do I attach your
optic/lens holder assembly to my heat sink or printed
circuit board?
The Fraen lens holders were designed with legs meant for heat staking.
General information and some recommendations about heat staking are available
in Fraen Application Notes document FAN-01EN.
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