Lens for a 5mm Cree in a 20mm square box

4estgump

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
3
Howdy,
I hope i'm posting this in the correct spot if not I appreciate a redirection.

Here is were I'm stuck. I have 20mm distance with a 5mm cree on one side and a 10mm hole on the other side. I'm trying to get the longest throw through this 10mm hole. Most TIR lenses are 20mm in diameter and would fit put not much light is projected through the hole. I can move the cree as close to the 10mm aperture as I like... Here is some sort of diagram:
| ............ |
| .............|
cree ....... hole (diameter 10mm)
| .............|
| 20mm.... |

height of the box is also 20mm

I was thinking maybe a TIR then some type of convex lens to concentrate the light through the 10mm job.

Does it have to be a TIR? could I use a reflective cone? and if so how will the throw compare?

Any help would be a GREAT help!

Very excited to have found this forum.

Thanks for your help guys!
 

ahorton

Enlightened
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
715
I am almost certain that you want an aspheric lens but it'd have to be a really small one to get into your 20mm box.

Maybe something like http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13903


There are also TIR optics designed for sending light into fibre-optic cables. They would get more of the light through the hole but I don't think the throw would be as good.


Now what is it you are making?
 
Last edited:

b-bassett

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Nov 22, 2008
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hertfordshire, uk
was going to suggest the same aspherics from dx but after a bit of thought id guess that around 2/3rds of the 8 degree beam emmited from the lens wouldnt be transmitted though the hole and would just bounce around inside the box.
not to mention the amount of light lost between the led and the lense itself.

the only thing i can think of which might work, ( and perhaps wouldn't) would be a 10 mm diameter polished tube leading directly from the led, to the hole. ( possibly with an aspheric wedged between the tube and the hole).

th_5mmled.jpg


this seems to have worked quite well for myself although i am using an 18mm tube

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu280/b-bassett/maglightheadbmp.jpg?t=1238348916
 

LukeA

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Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Messages
4,399
Location
near Pittsburgh
The results from any suggestion will by no means be spectacular.

If you have a 5mm LED it will already put all its light through a 10mm hole.

If you use a power LED, your best bet is an XP-E or Rebel behind the Carclo 10mm optic.

That's if there isn't a better place to put the LED.
 

lumafist

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
1,755
The results from any suggestion will by no means be spectacular.

If you have a 5mm LED it will already put all its light through a 10mm hole.

If you use a power LED, your best bet is an XP-E or Rebel behind the Carclo 10mm optic.

That's if there isn't a better place to put the LED.


+1 on that..!
And even more power...
 

4estgump

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Feb 26, 2009
Messages
3
Awesome! Thanks for your advice. I just ordered some 10mm carclos from cutter.

Thanks again> I'll try to get some beam shots up when I'm done.

Cheers!
 

John_Galt

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Feb 20, 2009
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1,835
Location
SW, PA
This is a pretty cool project. Do you mind if I ask what the intended use is? Nice "thinking inside the box" guys. (pun intended!)
 
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