Optical Molding

Optical molders, like A.L.P. LexaLite®, know the importance of properly molded optics
- A small sink in an LED lens or optic creates striations on the ground or wall, where uniformity matters.
- Optical molders understand the relationship between prism radius and light leaks.
- A TIR lens must have a surface quality that allows for Total Internal Reflection.
Optical molders understand lighting
- Imitations are nothing more than aesthetic “ribbed bowls”
- An imitator may look alike but “ real” optics put 35% more light on the floor
- Copycats have improper prism angle and more generous peaks and roots
- Our in-house optical engineering team can provide consultation on these vital details
- A few degrees on a reflector surface mean the difference between meeting a “medium” distribution or failing the specification
Optical molders give you the ability to verify lighting performance
- EnergyStar buys random samples of fixtures to test performance, so every part must operate consistently
- Your reputation is all you have, and if you are not using a molder with the ability to conduct measuring, you are both guessing.
- Running photometry, UV and heat tests ensures that you make the right decisions and provide the best value
A.L.P. LexaLite maintains your mold to ensure repeatable performance
- Your product specifications don’t change, so your product performance shouldn’t either
- A.L.P. LexaLite properly builds and maintains molds to prevent the need for replacement tooling
An optical molder can offer constructive alternatives
- It’s your job to be experts at making lighting fixtures and the molder’s job to help you:
- Specify materials
- Sesign the plastic part
- Specify the mold construction, understanding the impact each decision has on the product performance.
- Expert technical guidance will save you more than haggling for a lower piece price
Optical molders have lighting materials knowledge
- There are tens of thousands of plastic materials and new ones are created every day
- Refractive index actually makes a difference; transmittance isn’t the same as efficiency and spectral transmittance means something different for every light source
- Over specifying can have nearly the same impact on your profitability as under specifying