Starting from the campfires that were brought into caves to illuminate the abodes of ancient men and the candles and oil-lamps that brightened up the halls of kings, queens and conquerors, humans have come a long way to towards brightening up their world. The 20th century saw the rise of the menthol bulb, fluorescent tubes and neon lights that lit the façade of the 20th century using electricity and they did not stop there. These days we have laser light beams, carbon arc lamps, discharge lamps and the all popular light-emitting diodes (Better known as LEDs). What makes LEDs the preferred type of lighting for our 21st century needs?
FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END
Over the last few hundred years, the practicality of ‘mesh’ which predominantly revolved around its flexibility and robustness has moved into every aspect of the various industries that surround us and recently the ‘mesh concept’ has penetrated the LED light industry in a ‘very big way’. LED mesh is quickly becoming the preferred LED light construct due to its high transparency, ultra-lightweight, foldable, mobility and slim design. Its flexibility allows installation for stage backdrops or even used to convert an entire building into a large media façade. As with any other LED display construct or screen, Mesh LEDs are also capable of playing text, animation, slides and videos. They could also be used for both indoor and outdoor environments which make them perfect for just about any condition.
Applications
Most of us would have probably seen the various designs and LED constructs that are used for a variety of attractions and aesthetic purposes. However, LED constructs is not just about throwing a bunch of lights on a rig and turning the switch on. There are a host of technical requirements behind it that requires a special skill set and knowledge. The procedures involve collaboration between the artistic and the technical individuals who in most circumstances hardly get along; nevertheless, meeting middle ground is a critical success factor for each and every project. Both parties have to agree on everything prior to the project taking off.
This means they have to agree on little details such as the pixel pitch size, the size of the frame/ cabinets to be used, the materials, the video controller, angles and a host of other factors that these professionals need to come to terms with. If this does not happen, they risk delaying the project or ending up with a LED construct that clients are not happy with.
Starting From Scratch
A tour of LED Product Creation
– PART I – THE PRODUCTION
Take your LED and get ride of the protection
Discover the magic tool – Let it assemble all the LED on your screen
Put some protection on it and let it dry
Now place your screen on the module
– Tools used –
FIX THE LED ON THE PALETTE
FIX THE PALETTE TO THE SCREEN
– PART II – THE TEST
– Interactive LED floor project – A game experience for the costumers –
– Interactive LED floor – Interactive design installation located in the middle of a shop –
In order to achieve this, the team has to adjust the light intensity, chromatic levels ensure that that sharpness and colour equations are consistent for the entire screen. This is not about merely twisting knobs and punching buttons, as a matter of fact, the tech wizards at Street Communication use photoelectric sensors that are able to measure chromatic patterns and memorise the adjustments performed on each LED component. While the technical aspect of the job goes-on another team would focus on the structural frames that house the LED constructs. These ‘housings or cabinets’ are constructed in order to complete the ‘final product’ that will be capable of displaying anything from graphics to videos at the desired pitch pixel or resolutions.
– PART III – THE INSTALLATION
– Interactive LED floor game installation –
– Interactive floor led screen games fish football –
– Part IV – THE RESULT
– Exhibition in China to present a new car –
The Crux of LED Product Creations
The entire process of producing attractive LED designs is so much more than slapping on glue to a given surface and sticking Light Emitting Diodes in them and powered-up! It involves establishing a blueprint of what the order was all about and in order to create an effective blueprint the questions presented below need to be asked and answered.
- What pixel pitch size would be most suitable?
- Where will the product be installed?
- What is the viewing range (this is where pixel pitch sizes play an integral role)?
- What kind of materials would be most suitable?
- What types of cabinets would be most effective?
- Does the cost balance out with the client’s budget?
- Will the design achieve the client’s objectives?
- What type of video controllers would work the best?
- What about interactive displays, would the client benefit more?
- Where or how far is the power supply to the installation site?
- Will the environment of the installation site have an impact?
The questions go on and on and each and every single question needs to have a clear and decisive answer in order for the teams to work cohesively and not end up running around like headless chickens! Patience, competency, creativity, logistics, and project management expertise are critical success factors for every single project. In a single statement, it can be said that the LED light industry is no mere ‘walk in the park’