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This section provides an overview for light guides as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 light guide manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked light guide companies as of December, 2024: 1.Cosun Technology, 2.Argyle International, Inc., 3.LUMATEC GmbH.
Table of Contents
A light guide plate is an optical component that allows light sources, such as LEDs, to enter from the edge of the plate and emit light on the surface.
When the surface of the plate is smooth, the incident light repeatedly undergoes total reflection, and the light is emitted on the opposite side of the plate. By processing this smooth surface to change the direction of light, it is possible to make the surface light-emitting.
Light guides are mainly installed on the back of "transmissive LCDs" and are often used in the "backlight method" to illuminate the LCDs, requiring light guides with a high degree of uniformity to illuminate the LCDs evenly.
In recent years, demand for products using "reflective LCDs," which consume less power and are lighter, has been increasing. Light guides used for reflective LCDs are installed in front of the LCDs in a "front light system," so light guides with a high degree of transparency are required. However, light guides with high transparency are extremely difficult to process, so the number of manufacturers who can produce them is limited.
The development cycle of electronic devices is expected to shorten further in the future, and Light guides must also be developed in a short period to ensure the superiority of new products.
Mainly used as lighting for "transmissive LCD products." They are used as lighting for products such as LCD TVs and smartphones, as well as for store signboards and poster panels. Demand for general lighting such as ceiling lights is also increasing.
This type of lighting is mainly used for "reflective LCD products." It is used for electronic paper, wearable devices, and digital signage (electronic signage). As a new application of the front light method, its use as lighting for "image processing inspection equipment" is attracting attention. By using highly transparent light guides, it is possible to provide a wide field of view to the workpiece while ensuring uniform illumination of the entire area.
Light guides can be manufactured by a variety of manufacturers, depending on the purpose of use and quantity.
This is a common method that has been used for a long time. For mass production, it is possible to manufacture at a low cost. However, the mold must be repeatedly modified until the optimum optical pattern is produced.
Main applications: LCD meters, amusement products, smartphones
This is a surface emitting system that uses a laser processing machine to engrave "dots" or "grooves" on the surface of a plate. Many manufacturers are capable of processing, and since molds and plates are not required, manufacturing can be done at a low cost. It is often used for inexpensive products that do not require a high degree of uniformity.
Main applications: Backlight for store signboards, poster panels, shelves, ceiling lights
This system uses a printing plate to print "reflective dots" on the surface of a board for reflection. Although a plate is required, it is less expensive than a molding die. Because of the limited mesh size of the plate, it is often used for inexpensive products that do not require a high degree of uniformity.
Main applications: Backlighting for store signboards, poster panels, shelves, ceiling lights
This is the newest method of light guide manufacturing. An inkjet printer is used to produce an "optical lens" on the surface of the plate. The diameter of the lens is extremely small, approximately 32 µm, enabling light distribution design with a high degree of uniformity. The greatest feature of this process is that the lenses themselves are transparent, making it possible to produce light guides with a high degree of transparency, which is difficult to achieve with other manufacturing methods. In addition, since inkjet printers are used and no molds or plates are needed, it is possible to respond to short delivery times and in small quantities. However, the number of manufacturers that can produce this product is limited, and it is not suitable for inexpensive product applications, such as backlighting for store signboards.
Since high-definition printing like that shown in the photo is possible, demand for stand-alone Light guides for use in in-store displays is also increasing.
Main applications: For electronic readers, amusement products, image inspection and processing equipment, pre-production prototypes, store displays
While there are a variety of manufacturing methods for light guides, in many cases, the manufacturing method that best suits the purpose has not been selected. If you are having trouble selecting a light guide, a good way to start is to request a sample prototype from the manufacturer and make a comparative evaluation.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Argyle International, Inc., founded in China in 1993, is a manufacturer of optical components, filters, and coating materials. The company's product range includes customized machined parts, lenses, prisms, mirrors, and light pipes. The company has a sales office in Princeton, NJ in the USA and its factory is located in China. It also provides concave tooling that is used for convex lens surfaces, and convex tooling for concave lens surfaces.
Titan Tool Supply was founded in 1952 and operates out of Buffalo, New York. Titan Tool Supply is a supplier of optical instrumentation for research & development, quality control, and other professional industries. Titan Tool Supply’s product lines include borescopes, microscopes, illumination devices, and micro finishing. Titan Tool Supply also offers video systems and magnetics solutions. Titan Tool Supply offers customers a 10-day approval program that allows customers to trial products in their workplace to verify satisfaction before purchase.
Fiberoptics Technology Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of OEM non-telecom fiber optic components headquartered in the United States where it was established in 1977. The company offers a broad range of fiber optics and fiber optic light sources such as Surgical Headlights, POF / Fiber Optic Patch Cords, Flexible Light Pipes, Light Lines, Residential and Commercial Lighting, and more. The company also designs and supplies custom-designed OEM fiber optic components to the Medical, Commercial, Photoelectric Control, Military, and Machine Vision industries to name a few.
Cosun Tech - COSTEC has been a manufacturer of Customized Lighting Solution since it was established in 2011 in China. The company manufactures light panels, light boxes, LED light boards, linear luminaires, and LED strips that are a combination of LED lamps and double-sided fiberglass boards with the flexibility and capability of being cut, rejoined, and molded into arbitrary shapes. These high luminous intensity LED strips and other components provide light source for Architecture, Advertising, Retail, Commercial and Residential Lighting industries.
Dongguan Dongchen Electronics Co. Ltd. was founded in 2007, in China and is known as a manufacturer of electronic hardware. The company designs metal domes, poly domes, membrane keypads, membrane switches, and rubber keypads that are manufactured in different shapes, sizes, and types, and also custom-made for various clients. These components have extensive applications in mobile phones, remote controls, digital cameras, measuring instruments, etc. Together these electronic/electrical products serve the medical, aviation, consumer goods, and related industries.
Ecoptic, founded in Changchun, Jilin in 2000 is a manufacturer of precision optical components, such as spherical mirrors, aspheric mirrors, and filters. The company's product portfolio includes Optical Cylindrical Lenses, Optical Dome, Optical Mirrors, Optical Prism, and Optical Spherical Lenses. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building. The company provides services such as Product Selection Guidance, Engineering Support, New Product Design and Development and Custom Manufacturing.
Industrial Plastic Fabrications Ltd - IPFL is a manufacturer of plastic components based in Essex, England. The company caters to all machining, fabrication & 3D printing technologies of plastic components. The machining process includes CNC Turning, Milling, Routing, and more and the fabrication services include laser welding, chemical bonding, laser cutting, engraving, and more, whereas 3D printing helps with rapid prototyping. These services help the industrial, medical, film and TV, defense and security sectors, and more.
Guangzhou HONSUN Opto-Electronic Co., Ltd is a manufacturer and supplier of fiber optic components based in China. The company designs products that are categorized as optical fiber image transmission, and optical fiber communication products. They are further classified as optical fiber plates, optical fiber inverters, optical fiber tapers, AVG and the optical fiber communication products include optical fiber couplers, wavelength division multiplexers, optical isolators, beam combiners, and connectors, and together they serve various fields like aerospace, low-light night vision, image display, medical equipment, and communication networks.
Hexatron Technologies is a manufacturer of optical solutions based in Taiwan. The company designs micro prismatic lenses that are engineered for luminaires with Unified Glare Rating < 19, LED diffuser sheets available in opal for optimal diffusion of high-power LEDs, and translucent sheets for high light transmission. There are also Light Guide Plates, and Opto films that are available in different materials such as PMMA, Polycarbonate, and Polystyrene and all these materials serve the LED Lighting Industry.
Sing Mass Enterprise Co Ltd, founded in the year 1980, and based in Taiwan, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of acrylic products. Their product portfolio includes acrylic bars, rods, tubes, sheets, and blocks along with diffusers, LGP, reflectors, and curtain wands. The products are used in various applications which include lighting, decoration, display, building, and automotive. The company is ISO certified with a high-quality product range. The company also offers consulting services and technical support.
LUMATEC, founded in 1976 with headquarters in Germany, is a manufacturer of optical technology and specialty lighting components. The company's wide range of products includes laser light polymer tubes, broad spectrum light guides, infrared coagulators, multispectral LED light sources, high-intensity UV light guides used in the medical and forensic markets, and many more. LUMATEC products are found in hospitals and operating rooms, where they are used for operations and patient care, as well as by police and laboratories for the detection of materials and evidence. LUMATEC also offers after-sales support and custom production services.
COE Optics, founded in San Diego, CA, in 2008 is a manufacturer and supplier of optics and optical components. The company's product portfolio includes Laser Diode Optics, Achromatic Lenses, IR Windows, Corner Cube Retroreflectors, and Rod Lenses. Their products are used in test & measurement quality assurance applications, the automation of manufacturing processes, and research. The company serves markets including Medical and Healthcare, Aerospace and Defense, Consumer Goods, Industrial Manufacturing and Construction and Building.
Tri-Tronics, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, USA, is a manufacturer of performance sensors and encoders established in 1954 and acquired by Garmin Ltd. in 2011. The company specializes in photoelectric sensors and encoders used for detecting shape and color, transmitting light in hazardous or inaccessible environments, and measuring distance or thickness. It also offers elevator door protection products, such as its InvisiGuard-brand infrared beam with a universal power supply for detecting doorway obstruction. The company primarily serves clients in the packaging, elevator production, and medical services industries.
Lumex-ITW, founded in 1916 in North America, is a manufacturer of electronic switch components, photonics, LEDs, and LCDs. The company offers a wide range of products that include surface-mount LEDs, through-hole LEDs, LED bulb replacements, color TFT LCDs, and push-button switches. Lumex-ITW offers original equipment manufacturers a wide range of custom production options, including semi-custom, fully custom, and plug-and-play solutions for LED/LCD displays, backlighting, light arrays, and LED indicators. Some examples include customized colors and specific wavelengths in LED indicators and special graphics and colors on LCD displays.
Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co. KG is based in Göttingen, Germany, and is a photonics manufacturer that was founded in 2005 before being acquired by Excelitas Technologies Corp. in 2013. The company produces standard and custom optical systems, components, and software. These include fixed beam expanders, flat optical rail systems, and lens configuration software. The company also offers optical system and lens design, coating, and polishing services. Its products are used by clients in the semiconductor, defense, and research sectors.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosun Technology |
15.5%
|
| 2 | Argyle International, Inc. |
10.3%
|
| 3 | LUMATEC GmbH |
10.3%
|
| 4 | IPF |
9.5%
|
| 5 | Fiberoptics Technology Inc. |
8.6%
|
| 6 | Titan Tool Supply, Inc. |
6.9%
|
| 7 | Dongguan dongchen electronics.,LTD |
6.0%
|
| 8 | Lumex Inc. |
6.0%
|
| 9 | Ecoptic |
5.2%
|
| 10 | Hexatron Technologies |
4.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the light guide page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
5 | 41.7% |
|
United States of America
|
3 | 25.0% |
|
Taiwan
|
2 | 16.7% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 8.3% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 8.3% |
80 products found
80 products
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■Features ・LED light panel is an LED panel with an openable frame attached around a light guide plate. - Mainly used as a backlight source for sig...
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■Summary Adopting Sumipex (acrylic resin plate) developed for cutting-edge light guide plate applications, and special fine printing technology, it...
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Links International Co., Ltd.
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■Features - Waterproof LED light panel for outdoor use. The front door has a light guide plate with an opening/closing frame. - Mainly used as a ba...
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