[Noisebridge-discuss] SuperFlex EL fabric is here

Jack Perkins jackaperkins at gmail.com
Mon Apr 5 23:16:28 UTC 2010


This is nice and rad. Thanks for the video review.

-Jack

On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 4:03 PM, Sai Emrys <noisebridge at saizai.com> wrote:

> And some followup info from the source...
>
> - Sai
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jill Simpson <jsimpson at crosslinkusa.com>
> Date: Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 7:34 AM
> Subject: RE: SuperFlex demo kit request
> To: Sai Emrys <sai at saizai.com>
>
>
> Sai,
> Thanks for the note -- and the video.  I watched it an laughed a couple
> of times, like at the suggestion of a SuperFlex bikini...
>
> Some answers:
>
> * what is the grid of dots faintly visible in the background of the
> treated square?
> The grid of dots are images of vacuum holes from our press bed. [A
> slight vacuum is used to 'fix' the fabric to the press bed during
> production.]  With thicker fabrics you don't see the grid, or we can use
> a modified press bed.  We are usually trying to AVOID having these holes
> visible in our finished product -- obviously you got a sample where they
> are pretty visible...
>
> * how seriously do you mean the 'don't touch/etc while in use'? Is
> this just a CYA for 'don't touch live wires'?
> Yes -- this is a CYA...  If we use a really thick, really insulating
> overprint/final layer, we can reduce the possibility of getting a shock,
> but then usually the overall brightness is further reduced.
>
> * what's the time-to-50% if it's exposed to sunlight?
> Not sure -- maybe 500 hours?  Without sunlight the time to half
> brightness is around 1000 hours.
>
> * is it waterproof? If not, what are the problem points / can they be
> fixed?
> Not currently waterproof.  This is something we would like to fabricate
> in the future.  Waterfproofing will require improvement in the
> electrical connections (rubber gasketing, epoxies, etc.) as well as
> lamination of the entire lamp between two films of plastic.  This will
> reduce the flexibility somewhat.
>
> * how much would the 5x5 / 20x29 pieces cost?
> 5x5 lamps, with 9V inverter pack                $50 each (quantities
> <100)
> 20x29 lamps, with cables but no inverter                $350 each
> (quantities < 100)
> Inverter for large lamps (powers up to six lamps)       $300 each
>
> * how much would a custom printed piece cost, say about 15"x40" (or
> somewhat less, if that hits some barrier)?
> 20x29 is the largest we can print here at Crosslink, limited by the size
> of our press, but larger sizes could be toll-manufactured. Setting up
> toll-mfg would require at least 3 months and would require order
> commitments to make it cost-effective for the toller, etc.
>
> Re-tooling of presses and preparation of films and screens for custom
> sizes costs about $3000 - $4000 total (depending on the size and
> complexity of the custom design).  This is in addition to the cost of
> the inks and lamps made with the custom design, which would have prices
> similar to those quoted above for the 5x5 and 20x29 lamps.
>
> * what if it were also using multiple colors? What colors can you do?
> (E.g. red, amber, etc...)
> There are orange/amber phosphors, but they are inherently very
> short-lived and quite dim, making it better to use the color filtering
> technique on a green phosphor instead.  We have a "color book" for
> creating (almost) any color.
>
> * can you do native colors other than blue-green? I.e. do all other
> colors require filtering (and therefore less brightness)?
> The only really bright native phosphors available for EL lamps are green
> and blue-green.  So... yes...filtering is a practical necessity.
>
> --Jill
>
> ________________________________
> Jill C. Simpson, Ph.D.
> General Manager
> Crosslink
> _______________________________________________
> Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
> Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
> https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>
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