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Creation always involves a touch of magic. It is in that space, where magic and technology meet, that iGuzzini’s Design and Innovation labs accomplish a kind of alchemy with LED sources, reflectors and
nanometric scales. Culture, technology and creativity
are the elements underpinning every marvel conceived
in this space, born from visionary ideas and made real
through dialogue with top experts in architecture
and lighting design. A collaborative multidisciplinary
approach ensures that art, design and innovation
combine to create something magical.
The latest fairytale is the Laser Blade XS, nicknamed
‘The Blade’. The story begins with the advent of
LEDs, which have had a transformative effect from
the moment they were unveiled. The unique properties
of the diode as a converter of energy have combined
with its tiny size to transport us to a new and exciting
micro-world, paving the way for a revolution in
the world of lighting.
The first benefit of this type of light source is energy
efficiency. In LEDs the electrical current is converted
directly into light with very little wastage. This means
Thanks to the innovative micro-optics and nanotechnology,
Laser Blade XS , ‘ The Blade’ is
an icon of miniaturisation
(just 28 mm wide)
less energy is required to achieve the same level of
luminous intensity. LEDs also lend themselves to
digital control, opening up new creative possibilities
by enabling the programming of different lighting
scenarios. Just as an audio mixer allows different
signals to be mixed and harmonised according to the
effect desired, the diodes can modulate the quantity
and quality of the light, allowing designers to compose
the right solution for any application.
The second benefit is their minuscule size compared to
traditional light sources, allowing a tenfold reduction
in scale in optical laboratories. The door has been
opened to the fascinating world of nanotechnology.
But these positives are balanced by the downsides
of glare, colour inconsistency and heat issues. LEDs
alone do not guarantee great lighting. Attention must
be paid to the design of the complete luminaire. The
light emitted from an LED is extremely focused, which
causes glare problems. iGuzzini took an early lead in
researching the characteristics and behaviour of LEDs,
bringing together engineers, specialist technicians
and designers to develop optical systems that avoid
glare without penalising performance. The result was
Opti Beam, a patented optical lens and reflector
