Featuring a micropatterned surface
LEGENDA , a micropatterned film developed for use in LED lamps
Controlling light emissions to produce a myriad of colors and effects
Apr 10, 2014
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumio Ito) has developed LEGENDA , a micropatterned film that can be used in such devices as LED lamps. Since this product can be used to produce a myriad of colors and effects when used in conjunction with conventional point-source LEDs, it holds great potential for applications in fields ranging from sophisticated designer lamps to toys and entertainment devices, which often demand particularly eye-catching visual properties.
1. Features
To create the film, Kuraray first developed metal stampers using its own proprietary mastering technology. The Company then developed a method of applying a UV-curable resin to the surface of a substrate film with the resultant film being simultaneously cured and stamped with intricate micropatterns to produce a unique light-shaping film.
Minute patterns featuring uniform hemispheres, tetrahedrons, square pyramids, ellipsoids, cylinders and other shapes can be created with micron-level precision.
By placing the film in front of an LED, a variety of effects can be achieved as the film refracts, reflects, scatters or diffracts the light, depending on the micropattern used.
Roller-type stampers are used to allow the continuous manufacture of light-shaping film, increasing productivity.
It is possible to configure the film into hemispheres and other three-dimensional shapes without distorting the micropatterns.
2. Effects Possible with LEGENDA
By simply switching the film mounted in front of it, the light from the same point-source LED can be diffused or refracted to create linear effects or such geometric patterns as crosses.
Such effects are possible even when the film is as close as one centimeter from the LED.
The film allows even white LEDs to produce red, green and blue wavelengths at the same time. Eye-catching displays are also possible with diffusion patterns.
Because the film can be curved or configured into three-dimensional shapes without distorting the micropatterns, it facilitates the creation of unique and sophisticated lamp designs.
Because the light that passes through a film does not necessarily appear as an individual point, the number of individual LEDs used in a single lamp can be reduced, which contributes to the more efficient use of electric power while also reducing costs.
The film is expected to be extremely useful for such applications as LED diffusion plates, given its ability to evenly diffuse light in all directions.
3. Possible fields of use and applications
Specialty lighting:
Exhibitions and ambient lighting at conference halls or inside stores; display lighting for such devices as toys, game consoles and watches; backlighting for signboards; other
General lighting
Direct LED backlighting, etc.
Reference
Outline of LEGENDA
Micropattern scale
Height: 3-30 µm; Width: 5-150 µm
Pattern area
300 mm × 500 mm
Substrate film
Thickness: 50-250 µm
Materials: Acrylic film, PET, polycarbonate, etc.
Kuraray Co., Ltd. is the world's leader in the manufacturing and marketing of chemical products, resins and synthetic fibers. Net sales break down by family of products as follows:
- chemical and resin (45.6%): functional resins and films, elastometers, thermoplastics, adhesives, fine chemistry products, etc. primarily for cosmetic products, televisions and mobile phones screens, foot packaging and paper manufacturing;
- fibers and textile products (29.8%): synthetic fibers and man-made leather, polyester, nonwoven textile products, resins, etc. sold under the brands Kuralon, Clarino Vectran and Kuraflex;
- functional materials (18.8%): methacrylic resin, medical chemicals, carbon materials, etc.;
- other (5.8%): primarily dental treatment and water purifying products.
At the end of 2019, the group had 52 production worldwide.
Net sales break down geographically as follows: Japan (27.1%), China (13.8%), Asia (12.3%), Europe (23.6%), the United States (18.5%) and other (4.7%).
KURARAY CO., LTD 
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