PENTHA is the new optical module of AEC

A look into the future. A path of ideas, research, tests and innovations that led to the development of PENTHA: the most advanced optical system by AEC.

The new optical module for public lighting

PENTHA is the new optical module designed by AEC for outdoor street lighting. Made of the highest quality aluminum, it has been designed to guarantee high performance and maximum energy efficiency.

Behind all the phases

How the Pentha optic project was born

The project that led to the development of the new AEC optical module Pentha was a path of ideas, studies, tests and modifications. All the design phases are described in detail below.

Research & Development

The key to creating innovation

The R&D department can count on a laboratory equipped with the best equipment and machinery with which to perform all the verification tests, guaranteeing and demonstrating the quality of the solutions and verifying the stability of performance over time. All in accordance with the standard requirements.

Thermal simulation

Technologies at the service of design

The thermal study is part of the CAD simulation activities and guarantees total reliability of the luminaire in any environment and situation. The CFD and FEM software of the Siemens package is used by AEC technicians to develop the heatsink concept, define the layout of the optical module and ensure the correct functioning of the electrical and electronic components inside the luminaire.

Optical simulation

Quality, performance and safety

The design process of optical systems within the AEC R&D team is supported by specific simulation software. The software inside allows you to recreate and use all the physical elements that contribute to the emission and management of light. LED sources, lenses, reflectors and glass can be recreated in the smallest detail.

The rapid prototype and the prototyping phase

The prototyping phase is essential in the design process because it allows you to simulate the physical and mechanical conditions of the product, defining methods and strategies to be implemented, to avoid errors in the production phase and anticipate times.

Greater reliability and quick times

Rapid prototyping allows you to create a prototype in PA12 using a 3D printer. This process allows you to work on the object by carrying out real tests for the purpose of functional mechanical evaluations of detail, assembly and design. The rapid prototyping activity allows you to reduce design times with significantly higher results.

Precision at the highest levels

With the Multi Jet Fusion additive 3D printer technology there are no design constraints and this allows you to print any shape in three dimensions. The printer allows you to quickly reproduce and verify the previous design phases of the optics, significantly reducing the time of design and modification of the design.

High quality standards

The prototyping phases allow to study and apply modifications to the piece according to a series of tasks organized in order to guarantee maximum mirroring between project and prototype. Once the prototype has successfully passed all the phases, we move on to its assembly with the aluminum semi-finished product.

The mold

Following the philosophy of “Total Quality System”, the mold used by AEC for the production of the new Pentha optical module has been developed in the specific internal area of the Headquarters.

Milling of the mold

5-axis milling technology

In this phase, the realization of the punch is observed by means of a 5-axis high-speed milling center. This phase is one of the most important as it creates the reflective part of the optic. The processes are carried out with specific hard metal tools, followed by a polishing phase until the surface is mirrored.

Assembly of the mold

When the mold takes shape

In this image, you can appreciate the perfectly polished mold formats mounted inside the shear mold. The technological characteristics of these presses allow to achieve exceptional molding performance and speed, controlling the entire process in an automated way.

Reflector molding

By servo technology press

The “servo” technology allows you to set the parameters of height, pressure and speed with centesimal adjustments, monitoring the quality of production. The aluminum strip, which is stored in the form of coils, enters from the loading side of the press, runs along the mold for its entire length pushed by the feeder and is printed in the final shape.

Advanced technology machinery

Production

The modern technologies used by AEC in the production lines allow to control all the assembly steps of the optic to the luminaire. The assembly process is performed by highly specialized operators. The assembly phases are monitored with IoT systems that allow you to manage the flow of bidirectional information to support operators and the measurement of production / quality KPIs, ensuring the correct respect of production phases and times.

Automatic lines supervised by specialized staff

The assembly lines are supervised by specialized operators who have the task of guaranteeing the repetition of the processes and managing custom products.

I test

Product tests are carried out in the Accredia accredited AEC laboratory. The accreditation of the laboratory certifies the technical competence of the AEC staff, the adequacy of the equipment, the equipment and the suitability of the structure.

Overview of the new PENTHA optics

Discover the new symmetrical and asymmetric optics

The PENTHA optical module offers a variety of optics that can meet all the lighting requirements in public lighting projects. The new PENTHA optics offer great uniformity and high visual comfort. Whether it is urban lighting, but also motorway junctions or very narrow streets, the PENTHA optical system provides the perfect optic. If you are looking for a high-quality, versatile, and energy-efficient optical solution for your public lighting project, the PENTHA optics are a great choice.

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Discover the products equipped with PENTHA

The innovative optical system will progressively update all the products in the AEC catalog but is already available on:

Certifications

The accreditation of the AEC laboratory by Accredia involves the verification of the technical competence relating to the accredited tests and of its Management System, in compliance with the UNI CEI EN ISO / IEC 17025 standard.