{"id":32500,"date":"2017-05-08T15:26:35","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T19:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.signmedia.ca\/?p=32500"},"modified":"2017-05-08T15:26:35","modified_gmt":"2017-05-08T19:26:35","slug":"illumination-fibre-optic-lighting-in-signs-and-displays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.signmedia.ca\/illumination-fibre-optic-lighting-in-signs-and-displays\/","title":{"rendered":"Illumination: Fibre optic lighting in signs and displays"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo \u00a9 Schott North America<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Stephen Montgomery
\n<\/strong>Fibre optics may be best-known to the public for their broad use in residential Internet and other telecommunications services, as they can transmit more data across longer distances than copper- or wire-based cabling. They are also increasingly being implemented for lighting applications, however, including sign and display illumination.<\/p>\n

An optical fibre is a thin and flexible tube, made of either glass or plastic, that can carry light from one end to the other. It may be installed inside a cable jacket or externally from a cable (i.e.<\/em> \u2018individually\u2019).<\/p>\n

Fibre optic lighting has proven practical for a wide range of industrial, automotive, military, aerospace, medical and scientific uses, but has also found its way into store display cases, swimming pools and spas, landscaping, offices, casinos, holiday decorations, toys and consumer products. Indeed, research shows the overall value of the worldwide market for fibre optic lighting grew to US$312 million in 2016.<\/p>\n

While the use of fibre optics in signage is still in its infancy, this could change quickly. The process of assembling, testing and manufacturing fibre optic lighting products already allows for mass production capabilities. Over the next few years, the average prices of these products will be driven lower by these production efficiencies, as well as by quality controls, higher yields, greater competition (in terms of both markets and technologies), improvements in sales, marketing and distribution and other factors. As such, the technology will move on from the \u2018development\u2019 and \u2018introduction\u2019 stages in the sign industry and into the \u2018growth\u2019 stage of its product life cycle (PLC).<\/p>\n

Opening new applications
\n<\/strong>Optical fibres can illuminate a sign by emitting light from their sides, providing an effect similar to neon. They are not nearly as heavy as traditional sign lighting technologies, however, so the labour involved in constructing and installing a sign is reduced, as is the cost of transporting it.<\/p>\n

Further savings are achieved over the long term. Optical fibres are durable and do not degrade under normal conditions. Also, since light\u2014not heat\u2014is being sent along the fibre, typically the only maintenance required is at the source of the light, e.g.<\/em> changing the lamp.<\/p>\n

Optical fibre-based signs can display single static or multiple digital messages in more than 256 colours and provide exceptional visual clarity. The main market driver behind their increased adoption, however, is the ability to create and install illuminated displays in entirely new forms and locations, thanks to the attributes of the technology\u2019s unique mix of components:<\/p>\n