A worthy place in the creation of outdoor and interiorAdvertising takes recently decorative lights. This element is able to create the most unusual and original effects that blur the boundaries between the surrounding space and the interior. Using the glass end illumination, you can make a compact flat screen that attracts the attention of no less than a bulky light box.
What is the backlight
The technology originated not long ago along withincreased popularity of interior advertising, when there was not enough space to evenly highlight the image in the light box. Its essence is that with the help of special elements located at the end of the glass, the flow of light is distributed over the entire surface. The edges of the glass are framed with an aluminum profile with a LED ruler. Glass end illumination belongs to rather expensive technologies, therefore, in order to reduce the cost, acrylic is often used, which makes it possible to manufacture effective media at a more affordable price for the consumer.
Selection of acrylic glass
When selecting a material it is very important to take into account some of its parameters. As a rule, acrylic plexiglass for edge lighting is used with a thickness of 6–10 mm.
Very good engraving results are obtained.on some types of molded glass. Engraving is performed using special engraving systems. The presence of a floating head in them ensures the same depth of engraving over the entire surface, so that the glow is uniform. When engraving, it is very important to have a protective coating in the form of a film, which should not be rushed to be removed during processing. When the lamp is turned on, any scratches and defects are very clearly visible on acrylic. You can use plexiglass for edge illumination 4 mm thick, but then you should combine 2 of these glasses, placing a graphic image between them.
Advantages of acrylic glass
- Even when the sheet is illuminated only at the edges, the light penetrates the entire surface of the sheet.
- Acrylic glass is suitable for making very thin light boxes and for any light sources.
- The glass of the backlighting has a relatively small thickness, which gives the panel a noble, aesthetic look.
- Glass acrylic panels are able to give the interior uniqueness and originality.
Types of side illumination
To create lighting in lighting usuallyapply acrylic or polystyrene plastic. These materials have the ability to transmit and simultaneously diffuse the light coming from the LED module.
There are two options for creating lighteffects using the backlight. The first involves the presence of engraving on the surface of plexiglass. The light is refracted along the contours of the engraving, creating the appearance that the image glows from the inside. It is very clearly visible at any time of the day.
Another option is a glass side illumination with an auxiliary screen with an engraving installed in front of it.
Backlight Benefits
LEDs used in the backlight are smallsize, therefore, allow to illuminate even the most inaccessible places. The resulting light can be a variety of color shades, which makes it possible to create any light effects.
The backlight system uses transducers to control the brightness of the glow. Management can be performed using the remote, as well as automatically.
Building the system is a fairly simple process. Due to its low power consumption, LED backlight saves a lot of electricity.
DIY Lights
The installation process is simple.Plexiglas is cut with the help of a handsaw, the shape of the future panel. The edges must be carefully processed and glued to the glass pattern. The main thing - to prepare a profile that is suitable in size to the glass. To fix it on the surface of the wall with screws, holes are made in it. Manufacturers made sure that at home the end illumination of the glass with their hands was simple and easy. The LED strip, thanks to the self-adhesive base, is installed in the required place. When making such a system on your own, it is very important not to remove the insert located inside the profile, since it will serve as protection from the contact of the tape with the aluminum surface. It is quite simple to insert a tape if the end ends are open. In another case, when access to them is difficult, you can use any devices. To align the tape inside is very convenient to use a conventional wooden or plastic ruler.
Glass installation is the final stage, whichwill require some effort. To make the glass of the backlight positioned firmly, it is permissible to use a rubber mallet with a wooden fitting. Thus, the whole procedure for installing the backlight is carried out fairly quickly.
Recommendations for installation and processing
It is necessary that all four ends of the sheet bevery polished. This greatly affects the brightness of the lighting. Even with a slight curvature on this part of the sheet, the light can be lost. It is recommended to polish with a diamond tip.
It is very important to choose the right profilethe system. This will help to secure the sheet and at the same time increase the degree of illumination of the ends. The light source during installation must be placed as close as possible to the ends.
If only one or two ends are lit, the rest should be covered with a reflective film.
The degree of illumination increases when placed behind the glass of a white reflector. Its role can perform a sheet of PVC.
To get the maximum effect, you also need to pick up the glass of the end illumination of the required thickness. It will depend on the selected light source and the size of the lightbar.
Plexiglas is most commonly used forlights in the creation of various billboards (both one-sided and bilateral), ultra-thin light boxes, road safety signs, and decorative lighting.
