Quote:
Originally Posted by larahau
DBO can you tell me what kind of fiber did u use for the customized headlights?Is it flexible?And what type of glue did u use to fix them in the headlight.
Maybe u can give me some web shop links. I am interested to buy some fiber like that and glue.
Thank you.
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You have to buy side lit fiber to suit your particular application. Length, width, light source, etc. all play a part in the various formulations. They work by blending a medium into the fiber center that reflects or scatters the light to the outside. The percentage of this material (i.e. the mix) will determine the amount of side emittance and the subsequent results. A higher mix % = higher brightness but faster light fall-off in terms of distance.
You will also need a very high power, high focus light source to get the light into the fiber to have any reasonable output. This aspect is probably the most crucial and even the manufacturers are still facing large issues with getting enough light into the fiber. Commercial options are very expensive and just gluing an LED or torch on the end of it will not see you get any real results. As you saw in this thread I custom built some light assemblies and there are many challenges in doing so.
Not sure what you want to do with it, but if the intent is for something similar listed in this thread then I would recommend NOT to attempt it because the side lit fiber is only useful in low light conditions. You will not get enough light into the fiber to make it highly visible under direct sunlight. If you're planning on building DRL, check my final work here
http://www.suzuki-forums.com/2g-2006...icators-2.html
To answer your other question, I did not glue the fiber into position. The strands are quite flexible but also thermally sensitive so you can heat and bend it to make it contour a particular shape. I actually tied it to the back of the housing using tiny holes and clear nylon fishing line (which was next to invisible). The sheath doesn't lend itself to gluing I don't think. Firstly its very non-stick and secondly, since it is clear, you would probably see any glue stuck underneath it in a magnified way through the front of the fiber.
I got my fiber through work (via a manufacturer called Poly Optics), but they are a wholesaler so you probably won't be able to get it in small quantities shipped to you in Romania from them. Try Googling "Side Lit Fiber". There's a stack of Chinese stuff also hitting the market, plus US vendors that sell it by the meter.
Anyway, hope some of that helps.
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