Just out of curiosity, how do manufacturers make those beautiful SMO reflectors on the MRV, DBS, A10 and other lights in general? Are they lathe turned or CNC machined (I can see what looks like fine concentric machining rings on them)? How do they achieve the parabolic curvature?
How are commercial reflectors made? Just curious
- Thread starter jimfwh
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
precisionworks
Flashaholic
There are as many ways to make reflectors as there are different flashlights ...
Least expensive is to injection mold the shape from plastic & flash plate the inside. Chrome thickness may be as little as .000005" (five millionths of an inch). If the plastic support is low priced (not an engineering plastic) the heat from an incan or a power LED can distort the parabola shape.
Next step up is to use a plastic designed for high temp applications. Some plastics have continuous operating temp ratings above 500°F. When a manufacturer uses high temp - high dollar plastic, they also deposit a heavier coat of chrome plating. Good reading here: http://www.rtpcompany.com/products/hightemp/hightemp.pdf
Metals are the next option. Thinner metals can either be stamped in a die or spun on a spinning lathe. Solid metals can be profiled on a lathe. Volume makers use CNC controls to machine a smooth parabola, but it can be done in a home shop by trigging out the X-Y movements to leave tiny "steps", then blending the steps with a radius tool (which can also be shop built). Metal reflectors also need plating.
Least expensive is to injection mold the shape from plastic & flash plate the inside. Chrome thickness may be as little as .000005" (five millionths of an inch). If the plastic support is low priced (not an engineering plastic) the heat from an incan or a power LED can distort the parabola shape.
Next step up is to use a plastic designed for high temp applications. Some plastics have continuous operating temp ratings above 500°F. When a manufacturer uses high temp - high dollar plastic, they also deposit a heavier coat of chrome plating. Good reading here: http://www.rtpcompany.com/products/hightemp/hightemp.pdf
Metals are the next option. Thinner metals can either be stamped in a die or spun on a spinning lathe. Solid metals can be profiled on a lathe. Volume makers use CNC controls to machine a smooth parabola, but it can be done in a home shop by trigging out the X-Y movements to leave tiny "steps", then blending the steps with a radius tool (which can also be shop built). Metal reflectors also need plating.
LukeA
Flashlight Enthusiast
The reflective surface is often done by physical vapor deposition of aluminum.
LEDninja
Flashlight Enthusiast
Anybody know how a textured reflector is made?
