TactoTec, Finland
The IMSE® SurfaceLight platform is designed to provide dynamic ambient lighting on surfaces by integrating light sources directly inside plastic parts using IMSE® technology. This innovative approach offers several advantages over traditional solutions.
When applied to surface lighting, IMSE® technology unlocks new possibilities for dynamic edge-to-edge animations, enhancing customer perception
significantly. The integrated LEDs not only improve lighting efficiency but also eliminate the need for additional parts or light guides, making it an ideal solution for ambient lighting in automotive interiors. The thin structure with no moving parts ensures a noise-free lighting experience, even in the face of common automotive temperature and vibration challenges.
At the heart of IMSE® SurfaceLight is the ‘light engine’, composed of reflective surfaces, polycarbonate resin, and a functional film with circuitry including LEDs and driver ICs. These components are integrated through injection molding, resulting in a 3D mechanical structure. IMSE® SurfaceLight can be seamlessly combined with a wide range of materials that offer good light transmittance.
Functionality
The solution utilizes a stack having reflective surfaces on both sides of the resin. Transparent resin acts as a light guide in the structure. A reflective surface solution provides a method to illuminate a large surface without needing a mixing distance between the LED and the illuminated area. It thus enables illuminating the whole surface without any dark areas. Also, if the LEDs are controlled individually, the illumination can be dynamic with animation features.
Benefits of the project
- Possibility to illuminate surfaces from edge to edge without any dark frames
- Design freedom to add illumination on shaped surfaces instead of a flat board
- Same production tooling can be utilized for various surface finishes. The final cosmetic surface and design, including any potential needs for brand differentiation, can be finalized very late in the development process or even after the product launch.
- Programmable, customizable dynamic illumination: the technology enables the creation of animated illumination with a wide range of possibilities. Light color and intensity can change both vertically and horizontally, following customizable patterns that offer a completely new customer experience.
- Thin, encapsulated structure that protects components from moisture and debris
Target Industry
- Automotive interiors
- Aviation
- Smart home
Organic & Printed Components
- Conductive path
- Interconnection
- Printed circuitry
- Printed graphics
Classical Components
- LEDs
- Capacitors