Lightguides made by specialists
Modern light guides are used for the transportation of light signals from a circuit-board-mounted LED via a particular route to a defined light-emitting surface, with minimal loss and blurring effect. They offer the electronics developer cost-effective, space-saving and easy-to-mount solutions with high ESD protection. The MENTOR range of high quality standard light guides for assembly on front panels or circuit boards includes several hundred articles, which can be supplied from stock with low minimum quantities and short delivery times. Thus it is undoubtedly among the largest product ranges of light guides in the world.
Efficient precision optics
Extensive product range
MENTOR offers you an extensive range of light guides with a large number of versions for very varied applications. It comprises front panel-mountable solutions, as well as vertical or horizontal circuit board-mountable versions, single or multiple light guides, bar graph displays, different head shapes, a variety of sizes – including also miniaturised versions and flexible light guide systems.
A variety of options
Assembly
Design
Since light guides always work outwards from the interface, they influence the design of the devices. Here the light guides with round beam surfaces and spherical, planar or counterbore head offer many aesthetically pleasing options, as does the version with a square head. An excellent light pattern always ensures high-quality visualisation here.
Customised solutions are our strong point
The MENTOR range of high-quality standard light guides offers a wide spectrum of very varied solutions. It comprises front panel-mountable solutions, as well as vertical or horizontal circuit board-mountable versions, individual and multiple light guides, bar graph displays, different head shapes, a variety of sizes, including also miniaturised versions and flexible light guide systems.
Despite this abundance of standard products, in certain situations, the customised solution of a light guide represents the best solution. For example, this is the case if a very individual radiation effect is required, or if a particularly large amount of time and effort is required to adjust the circuit board or front of the devices to a standard light guide.
We know from many years’ experience that individual adjustment of the length is frequently required to adapt a standard light guide to individual requirements. An intelligent tool strategy enables us to implement these solutions for our customers at no or minimal tooling costs, and with low minimum order quantities.
We have designated light guides with which a customised length can be implemented within the stated length variations (Size A) at no or minimum tooling costs, with the symbol C+. The plus here stands for the particular cost-effectiveness of these solutions. We designate solutions where this possibility does not exist but which have a great variety of tool-dependent special versions, with the symbol C.
Light guide versions
Front panel Light Guides
Horizontal light guides - for mounting on circuit boards
Horizontal light guides with round head
The classic models among light guides are those designed with a round head. MENTOR offers a range of horizontal light guides with single row to quadruple row versions. These are available with a head size of Ø3 mm in grid size 5.08 and as miniaturised versions with a head size of Ø2 mm in grid size 2.54.
Horizontal light guides with square head
Square light guides extend the spectrum for designing modern display systems and offer the possibility of designing products individually and differentiating them from products of competitors. The range of horizontal square light guides includes single row and triple row versions as single or multiple guides with a display area of 1.4 x 1.4 mm.
Horizontal light guides with rectangular head (bar graphs)
Light guides with a rectangular head (bar graph displays) have a radiating surface of 2 x 5 mm or 1.7 x 3 mm in the miniaturised version. They are all available as individual or multiple light guides of different lengths.
Vertical light guides - for mounting on circuit boards
Vertical circuit board-mountable light guides (vertical light guides) from MENTOR are used in professional electronic developments if the beam surface on the front panel is to be positioned parallel to the circuit board. As a rule, it is fixed to the circuit board with press-fit lugs.
Vertical light guides for mounting on circuit boards with round head
MENTOR’s range of vertical light guides with round head offers single row to quadruple row versions. These are available with a head size of Ø3 mm in grid size 5.08 and as miniaturised versions with a head size of Ø2 mm in grid size 2.54 and 2.54/5.08 mm.
Vertical light guides for mounting on circuit boards with rectangular head (bar graphs)
The MENTOR range of vertical light guides with rectangular head (bar graphs) offers individual or multiple light guides with up to ten displays. Two head sizes, 2 x 5 mm and 2 x 3 mm, are available, as are solutions for the grid size 5.08 mm and 2.54 mm.
Flexible light guides
Flexible light guide systems for SMD LEDs
The range of flexible light guide solutions includes light guides and light guide switches for use with SMD LEDs. The casings are held in the printed circuit board by using two press-fit lugs. The light guides are used in combination with TOPLEDs or CHIPLEDs, depending on the version. The casing, light guide and lenses are supplied unassembled. You can find more information about the IP68 variants of the light guides here.
Flexible light guide systems for THT LEDs
The casing is designed for light guide photographs of Ø2mm, which means that 2,000μm fibres and on request, 1,000μm fibres, with a black coating, are used. The casing can be used vertically or horizontally. The light guide fibres to the front panel are provided with a lens The lens is held in place in the front panel by press fit. The light guide is used in combination with THT LEDs. The casing, light guide and lens are supplied unassembled.
Accessories for flexible light guide systems
Angle-holder for stress-free assembly. The light guides can be precisely redirected by 90° within a very small space where this is necessary on customised grounds.
Adapter to connect to existing light guide elements with Ø3mm.
Socket for three light guide bars for use in combination with SMD LEDs.
Customised solutions
In addition to the programme of standard articles, MENTOR also offers a variety of possibilities for customised solutions in the field of flexible light guides. In particular, a special length (Size A) can in many cases be implemented simply and at no or minimal tooling cost. Other lens forms and sizes or coloured light guides are also possible.
Square light guides
For front panel assembly
In the field of the frequently used front panel light guides, the MENTOR range offers a version with a square beam surface of 3.2 x 3.2 mm. Three different lengths of this type are available from stock, and other lengths can be supplied as customised versions.
Horizontal square light guides
The horizontal square light guides are available as single and triple-row versions, both with miniaturised beam surfaces of 1.4 x 1.4 mm. The spectrum of options that can be supplied ranges from the single light guide to the multiple light guide with 30 light areas.