Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 34
Lig hti n g T e c hn i ques
Marcus Thielen
is a physicist and
lighting-industry
consultant from
Duisburg, Germany.
By Marcus Thielen
Neon-Glass Safety Basics
Why some materials require additional worker protection
E
very neon shop has recognized
the difficulty in obtaining "traditional" materials to fabricate neon
signs (see ST, November 2014,
page 32). This also affects glass. By
referring to "glass," I don't mean to
refer to the neon-tube color range.
Rather, I'm addressing the base
material itself.
Traditionally in the US (and
many other parts of the world),
neon-sign tubes were fabricated
from lead-glass tubes. This is because
lead glass sealed to electrodes' metal
wires exceptionally well. But, more
important for the neon bender, it
offered an extremely wide "working
range," i.e., a temperature range
wherein the tubes' viscosity permitted the glass to be shaped.
Basic properties
Neon benders, scientific glassblowers and glassmakers often refer to
the material as "long glass" because
the wide temperature range permits
Photo 1. Two types of safety protection for glassworkers. At right, the glasses
feature thick lenses for infrared absorption. At left, a thin gold film on each lens
reflects infrared radiation; the coating is sensitive to scratches and fingerprints.
a longer working time after taking
the tube out of the fire until it's
cooled and solidified such that it
becomes too stiff to shape.
Fig. 1 An optical transmission curve of the lens used in Photo 4, which shows no
transmission of yellow sodium light, with other colors mostly unaffected.
(Author's measurements.)
34 SIGNS OF THE TIMES September 2016
Another property of lead glass
important to the neon signmaker
is thermal shock resistance (i.e.,
you can put the glass quickly into
a hot flame, or place hot glass onto
a cold template/screen, without
fear of cracking it). For most of
these properties, lead glass was
used in the lighting industry, and
thus found its way into the neonsignage fabrication.
In the 1980's, environmental
concerns emerged, and industry
leaders called lead glass a poison.
This wasn't a new idea: Ancient
Romans built lead pipes to convey drinking water and knew the
risks of lead poisoning water when
water flow was too low. More
recently, consumer-lighting products, such as incandescent and
fluorescent bulbs and lamps, were
usually thrown in the dumpster
when defective - and have found
their way into landfills.
Manufacturers began making
efforts to replace the lead with
other materials. After considerable
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - September 2016
Signs of the Times - September 2016
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Best Practices for Wide-Format Design
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Commercial
Lighting Techniques
Moving Message
Technology Review
Technology Review
Design Matters
New Products
The 2016 Vehicle Graphics Contest
Sign Franchises Step Up Their Status
An LED Lamp Should Last … How Long?
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Intro
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - CT1
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - CT2
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Signs of the Times - September 2016
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - IBD_L
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - BD
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Cover2
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 1
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Contents
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 3
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 4
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 5
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 6
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 7
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - ST Update
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 9
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 10
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 11
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 12
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 13
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Technology Update
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 15
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Best Practices for Wide-Format Design
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 17
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Vinyl Apps
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 19
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 20
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 21
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 22
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 23
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Strictly Commercial
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 25
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 26
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 27
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 28
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 29
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 30
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 31
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 32
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 33
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Lighting Techniques
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 35
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 36
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 37
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 38
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 39
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 40
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 41
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Moving Message
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 43
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 44
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 45
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 46
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 47
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Technology Review
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 49
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Technology Review
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 51
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Design Matters
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 53
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 54
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 55
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - New Products
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 57
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 58
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 59
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 60
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 61
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 62
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 63
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 64
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 65
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 66
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 67
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 68
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - The 2016 Vehicle Graphics Contest
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 70
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 71
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 72
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 73
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 74
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 75
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 76
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 77
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 78
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 79
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 80
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 81
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 82
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 83
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 84
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 85
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 86
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 87
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Sign Franchises Step Up Their Status
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 89
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - An LED Lamp Should Last … How Long?
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 91
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 92
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 93
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 94
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 95
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 96
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 97
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 98
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 99
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 100
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 101
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 102
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 103
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 104
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 105
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 106
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 107
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 108
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 109
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 110
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 111
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 112
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 113
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 114
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 115
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 116
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 117
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - 118
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Advertising Index
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Editorially Speaking
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Cover3
Signs of the Times - September 2016 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_blackbook_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_bg2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_bg2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_bg2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_bg2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_bg2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_bg2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/STMG/sott_201201
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com