Technology
The development
One issue concerned how to insert the product
into the silicone strip by correctly intercepting
the copper tracks beneath the silicone strip while
preventing the very tiny needles from naturally
bending when inserted into a dense substance
like silicone. In a space of less than a millimetre
and a half, the electrified strip we created for IP
System® has a dual power source, one for lighting
the LED strip itself and one for powering the spot
elements that are placed into it. So, the accuracy
of needle insertion is a crucial issue that we
addressed with a template-comb that serves as a
guide for the needles and that, when put on the
IP System®, slides and enables you to choose the
ideal location for applying a plug-in element: this
helps to guide the needles during insertion so they
can connect to the structure.
At the end of the first year of development we
realised that if the accessories and plug-ins
installed on the track could not be removed,
moved and reinserted, IP System® would not fully
meet the expectations of the market. The brilliant
idea of our engineers to develop, as mentioned, a
system of needle connectors has brought with it
several consequences and corrections, from the
need for special protection of the same to avoid
injuries during installation, to the creation of a
tool that would allow any crooked needles and
therefore not working to be straightened: during
the removal of the spot elements from the track,
in fact, the needles may become crooked. And
with the needles crooked, it becomes impossible,
during a new insertion, to perfectly intercept
the dedicated copper tracks. It was not an easy
issue to fix and yet fundamental in terms of
fully developing the features of IP System®. We
developed a “needle straightener”, in fact a small
masterpiece of technology, because in order to
guarantee a guide to needles with a diameter of
less than a millimetre, the technical challenge
was complex. We have developed this accessory
consisting of four small components that acts
at the same time as a protective cap to avoid
injuries during installation, and which becomes
a tool that allows you to straighten the needles,
realigning and tilting them by half a degree, thus
recovering the ideal angle to fit into the silicone
track and perfectly hitting the copper strip. A
multifunctional cap that I can proudly call a
masterpiece of engineering.
The success of the idea
IP System® is technically a IP54 product, therefore
suitable for outdoors and all wet environments,
such as wellness SPA, wineries, indoor swimming
pools. But thanks to its design, details and
functionality it can also be used indoors. It is a
system that can give continuity between interior
and exterior, a perfect hinge that coordinates the
internal lighting and ends in the external one.
The interior systems I was inspired by are usually
lighting track where headlights can be attached.
IP System® is a bright strip to which you can add
spot elements.
There is not even such a thing for indoors, with
incredible robustness, with attention to finish and
with above all diversified control.
This is thanks to two independent and separate
circuits: the first circuit illuminates the only LED
strip, generating a diffuse light; the second allows
us to independently power the installed accessory,
so we can independently control and dim the two
circuits. For getting the “right light” depends to a
large extent on the ability to control.
This product paves the way for countless
developments, and some have already taken
place, such as the introductions of both recessed
and suspended options in addition to the originally
planned surface mounted solution.
Euroluce 2023 will be the chance to present
this evolution. The stand it will focus on a large
training area to manipulate, touch and understand
the product. A space for exchange and comparison
that I believe is essential for gathering feedbacks
of architects and designers
During Light+Building 2022 we collected the
very first feedbacks from the market and they
was extraordinarily positive. Now the product is
mature and lead us towards a very successful fair.
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