In industrial environments, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) performance relies on clarity, durability, and adaptability. Dichroic optical filter, a highly specialized technology, improves HMIs’ visual performance, conserving energy, and offering greater flexibility in customization.
UNDERSTANDING DICHROIC TECHNOLOGY
Dichroic filters are special filters made of multiple very thin layers placed on a glass plate (substrate glass). They work like “light selectors”: they let certain colors pass through and reflect others. Unlike traditional filters, which absorb unwanted light (which can create heat), these filters reflect unwanted colors. This prevents overheating and helps devices last longer.
HOW DICHROIC FILTER WORKS IN HMIs?
The incorporation of dichroic filters into HMIs brings several practical advantages that directly enhance their usability and operational lifespan. These benefits stem from the filters’ unique ability to manage light with exceptional precision.
- Superior display quality: By reflecting unnecessary wavelengths and transmitting only the required light, dichroic filters significantly improve display contrast and brightness. This enhancement ensures operators can clearly see and interpret information even in challenging environments like construction sites or factories, where lighting conditions are often less than ideal.
- Energy conservation: Unlike traditional filters that absorb light and generate heat, dichroic filters reflect excess light away from the system. This reflection-based approach reduces the energy needed for cooling components and extends their operational life, resulting in more efficient and durable HMI systems.
- Expanded color range: Through precise wavelength management, dichroic filters enhance color reproduction capabilities. This results in vibrant, highly accurate displays that are particularly valuable for industries dependent on precise visual data, such as manufacturing quality control or medical imaging applications.
APPLICATIONS OF DICHROIC FILTERS
The adaptability of dichroic filters allows them to be applied across multiple sectors, providing tailored solutions for diverse needs:
- Industrial and rugged HMIs
- Boosting visibility in outdoor applications like construction or agricultural machinery.
- Enhancing operational accuracy in automated factory systems.
- Delivering reliable performance in environments with intense lighting or glare.
- e-Transportation
- Dichroic filters improve EV lighting by reducing energy waste, extending battery life.
- They prevent overheating in sensors and lights, enhancing durability and reliability.
APEM’S DUAL ICON LED INDICATOR – INTUITIVE SIGNALING WITH DICHROIC TECHNOLOGY
With a team of experts, APEM has developed the Dual Icon LED Indicator, a next-generation panel mount LED indicator designed to display two distinct images or symbols within a single unit. Utilizing advanced dichroic technology, this indicator transmits different wavelengths of light to highlight separate instructions, ensuring precise and real-time feedback for users.
Ideal for applications that demand clear, dynamic visual communication, the Dual Icon Series enhances usability in e-transports, robotics, and industrial control panels. Its bi-color display, IP67-rated sealing, and customizable design make it a versatile and durable solution for environments where precision and adaptability are critical.
