“We have transferred our expertise from the mountain bike segment to other areas and build lights with a broad range of applications. We develop a unique lens system for each of our lights, thereby creating optimal beam properties for the respective applications,” says Joshua Koch, Online Marketing Manager at the German SME in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz.
But a light is only as good as its lens. As part of a long-term and efficient partnership, lighting technology service provider opsira calculates the parameters for the high-performance lenses, which are then injection-molded by UPT Optik in Nuremberg for Lupine. Virtually all lenses for Lupine lights are made from PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds, the brand polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) from Röhm. “PLEXIGLAS® is unmatched in its transparency and ability to conduct light,” says Heinz Schubkegel, Senior Business Manager in the Molding Compounds business unit at Röhm. “The optical properties and the ability to precisely process the product in injection molding applications make our molding compounds a proven material for all types of optical components, from floodlights for sports stadiums to safe, high-quality bike lighting.”
More complex than car headlights
See and be seen is not just an empty phrase for cyclists, it is critical for their safety. A modern bike light offers the same functions as car headlights at the push of a button: daytime running light, low beam, high beam. “But optical components for bike lights are much more compact and complex which makes them more complicated to produce as we have only a quarter of the size of a car headlight to work with,” says UPT Managing Director Horst Wodak, describing the challenge. “We precisely calculate the delicate facets of the lenses and produce them to an accuracy of 10 micrometers. This is only possible with high-performance plastics, such as PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds, which ensure precise mold surface reproduction for even the finest structures.”
UPT manufactures the Lupine lenses using PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds and values their good moldability and flowability and, of course, the extraordinary light transmittance of up to 92 percent. “PLEXIGLAS® ensures high luminous efficiency thanks to extremely low losses in the optical path,” says Wodak.
PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds certified for road traffic
In Germany, bike lights for road traffic need to conform to the regulations of the StVZO (Road Traffic Approval Order). To ensure that other road users are not blinded, a clear distinction between light and dark is required. “This makes developing lenses for lamps that comply with the German StVZO particularly laborious,” says UPT Sales Manager Martin Rümmelein. “In this context, Röhm offers another benefit, besides high purity and consistent product quality: PLEXIGLAS® molding compounds comply with all important ECE regulations for applications in vehicle lighting, such as the SAE J576 on the AMECA list.”
One of the brightest mountain bike lighting systems
“Lupine is unique in producing powerful bike lights,” emphasizes optics specialist Wodak. However, you shouldn’t let yourself literally be blinded by a high lumen value: “A high value by itself does not mean anything. The decisive factor is that the lens directs the light precisely without scattering it.” This is only made possible by combining the following three aspects: exact calculations, a material with the best optical properties and extremely precise processing, explains Rümmelein. “Producing a lens with such accuracy that the calculation leads to the desired result requires a lot of experience in injection molding.”
Lupine not only values the excellent optical properties of the lenses, but also the robustness and durability of all installed components. The brand PMMA from Röhm meets these requirements as it has a high surface hardness, as well as excellent UV and weather resistance without yellowing or becoming brittle. As such, the material from Röhm contributes to the sustainability claim of the light manufacturer. “I am not familiar with any material other than PLEXIGLAS® that has these diverse properties,” says Joshua Koch, Online Marketing Manager at Lupine.
For more information:
https://www.plexiglas-polymers.com/en/plexiglas-polymers-home-en
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) products from Röhm are sold on the European, Asian, African and Australian continent under the registered trademarks PLEXIGLAS® and PLEXIMID®, in the Americas under the registered trademarks ACRYLITE® and ACRYMID®.
About Röhm
With 3,500 employees and 15 production sites worldwide, Röhm is one of the leading manufacturers in the methacrylate business. The medium-sized company with branches in Germany, China, the USA, Russia, and South Africa has more than 80 years of experience in methacrylate chemistry and a strong technology platform. Our best-known brands include PLEXIGLAS®, ACRYLITE®, MERACRYL™, DEGALAN®, DEGAROUTE® and CYROLITE®.
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