QuasarBrite UV LEDs outshine CCFLs–offering longer lifespan, superior light performance, 50% cost savings, up to 70% energy consumption savings

Newark, a leading multi-channel, high-service electronics distributor in the Americas, announced today it was stocking the newest QuasarBrite™ UV LED technologies from Lumex, which include three new standard wavelengths.

Lumex states that QuasarBrite UV LEDs provide up to 10 times longer lifespan, up to 50% cost savings, up to 70% energy consumption savings and superior light performance, as compared to alternative technologies like CCFLs.

The RoHS compliant QuasarBrite UV LEDs are now available for same day shipping in standard 355nm (SSL-LXTO46355C), 365nm (SSL-LXTO46365C) and 377nm (SSL-LXTO46375C) wavelengths in a through-hole format. They are ideally suited for a wide range of applications including:

security (counterfeit detection for currency, passports and other travel documents)

forensic (applications related to forensic analysis of bodily fluids)

photo catalyst (for air and water purifier applications in homes, offices and automobiles)

“Previously, widespread use of UV LED technology, especially in the shorter UV wavelengths, was hindered because the materials used in the epoxy LED lens degraded the lifespan of UV LEDs to less than 5,000 hours,” explained Kay Fernandez, Product Technology Manager, Lumex. “Recent technological developments have allowed the epoxy lenses to be replaced by a robust TO-46 package with a glass lens, making it possible for QuasarBrite UVs to last 10 times longer- with life spans of over 50,000 hours.”

“Innovations like these represent our continued commitment to stock the latest technology products for design engineers,” commented Jeff Uden, VP, Product Marketing, Newark. “It will be exciting to see how many uses designers will find for the shorter UV LED wavelengths.”

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Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced a partnership with Cree, Molex, and RECOM to offer an all-in-one, LED lighting solution based on the Cree XLamp platform.

The Digi-Key CXA2011 XLamp LED lighting kit combines the performance, ease-of-use, and reliability of the XLamp series of LED arrays into a simple, all-in-one solution that takes the mystery out of building LED light fixtures. Digi-Key encourages LED design by offering all the necessary components, including a heat sink, connectors, power supply, and LED array, in a convenient, flexible kit.

“We are excited to partner with Cree, Molex and RECOM in offering this all-in-one LED solution,” said Mark Zack, vice president, semiconductor product, Digi-Key Corporation. “We have accentuated simplicity and flexibility in this kit allowing quick demonstrations, shorter design cycles and making LED utilization more accessible.”

Streamlining the process even further, Digi-Key has created a step-by-step video as part of its Another Geek Moment series on YouTube. The video details just how easy this kit is to assemble with only a screwdriver and the provided components.

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Design-Fulfillment Distributor is Positioned to Deliver Greatest Lineup of Lighting Solutions

Mouser Electronics, Inc., a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announced that it has signed a global distribution agreement with Cree, a worldwide leader in LED lighting and silicon carbide (SiC) power products.

The global agreement enables lighting designers worldwide to quickly find, compare, select, and order Cree’s latest products, including their innovative line of lighting-class XLamp® LEDs, high brightness LEDs, LED modules, and power products. Cree LED components and solutions are driving improvements worldwide in applications such as general lighting, electronic signs and signals. Cree also is among the world’s leading manufacturers of silicon carbide-based diodes for power control and management, providing increased efficiency in a variety of applications from solar inverters to industrial motor drivers to wireless technologies. Cree gains access to Mouser’s highly-successful design engineering marketing programs and to Mouser’s state-of-the-art fulfillment operations. The award-winning distributor offers 17 customer support locations across multiple continents with 42 country websites. Mouser’s Product Knowledge Centers and application guidance tools will give lighting designers easy access to view Cree’s product advantages, technical specifications and data sheets.

“Cree is a progressive company known for top-of-the-line innovations in the LED industry and we are pleased to align with them,” says Russell Rasor, Mouser’s vice-president of advanced technology. “For design engineers and manufacturers, this means faster access to Cree’s LED lighting solutions and SiC power products on a global basis.” “With the distribution might of Mouser behind our products, our customers will not only have worldwide access to our products, but will also have the search and comparison resources available through Mouser’s award-winning online catalogs and websites,” says Mark Despotes, Cree vice president of global channels.

“The service and support Mouser offers as an authorized worldwide distributor is invaluable to us and to our customers.” The agreement reinforces Mouser’s commitment to support new solid-state lighting designs by offering a comprehensive lineup of Cree LED components. In support of Cree’s products, Mouser will provide engineers with the most innovative optical and mechanical products along with IC-based LED drivers from key suppliers such as Texas Instruments, On Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics and Maxim Integrated Products. This strategically positions Mouser, the design-fulfillment distributor, to deliver advanced lighting technology components to enable a successful new design project.

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Mouser Electronics, Inc., a leading design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announces the European expansion of its agreement with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.

The extended distribution partnership further strengthens Mouser’s European line card by providing customers with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors’ extensive portfolio of high-performance LEDs for diverse applications. The expansion, agreed upon at the recent Embedded World Show in Germany, fits Mouser’s strategic emphasis on supplying innovative solutions to design engineers and small production buyers.

“We are pleased to now offer European design engineers the highly innovative lighting solutions from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors,” says Mark Burr-Lonnon, Mouser Vice President of EMEA and APAC Business. “OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is known as world leader in the production of LED and IRED products. They pride themselves in having trend-setting technologies that are shaping the future of lighting. Both our existing and new customers will benefit greatly from this expanded agreement.”

“We have enjoyed great success with Mouser as our catalogue distributor in America, Canada and Mexico and are excited about broadening our business together in Europe. With our corporate culture focused on innovation, we support Mouser’s strategy of being the one-stop source for design engineers and small production buyers. It fits our own company’s mission of lighting the future,” emphasizes Stephan Kreusel, Director Distribution Europe and Emerging Markets for OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.

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Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, today announced it has stock of Cree-based printed circuit board (PCB) LED development kits, often referred to as star boards.

These kits, also known as star boards, are designed to simplify LED ease-of-use. PCB development kits, when combined with thermal heat sinks, can shorten time-to-market by forming the foundation for LED designs. PCB configurations are available for Cree XLamp XR-E, XR-C, XP-G, XP-E, XP-C, MX-6, and MC-E LEDs.

To search for these PCB development kits on Digi-Key’s website, enter the search term “digi-key cree” into Digi-Key’s part search bar and click on “LEDs – High Brightness Power Modules” under the “Optoelectronics” heading in the search results. From there, a filtered search may be performed for the particular PCB development kits needed.

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Comprehensive LED lighting website offers design engineers one source for information, latest products and collaboration with colleagues and experts

Leading North American electronics distributor Newark and its element14 engineering community have launched an innovative microsite dedicated to LED lighting technology. The new site at Newark provides engineers with a comprehensive LED lighting destination, offering solution-based guidance for applications such as street lighting, solar power signals and RGB color mixing, as well as access to a wide range of design and collaboration tools.

In addition to application notes, white papers, training resources, design tools, and videos, the new LED site enables engineers to view and purchase from a best-in-class product portfolio available for same day shipping. Engineers have access to a wide range of lighting components from top brands such as Cree, Avago, Bridgelux, Ledil and Lumex to design a complete lighting solution, including high power/high brightness LEDs, LED modules and arrays, indicators, thermal and power management products, optics, and lamps.

“The new LED microsite is designed to help engineers working on lighting solutions research and design through an enhanced online collaboration experience,” said David Shen, Senior VP, Global Technical Marketing, Premier Farnell. “It brings together a broad range of technical resources and products in an easy-to-use format all in one place.”

Engineers can quickly link from the microsite to the lighting group at Newark’s element14 engineering community to collaborate with industry peers and experts. element14’s lighting group offers quick access to additional technical information, lighting insight from its Ask an Expert panel of professionals and lively discussions with engineers from around the globe.

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Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, announced today it is expanding its relationship with TT electronics, a leading electronic components supplier to manufacturers in the defense, aerospace, medical, transportation, and industrial markets, by adding BI Technologies, IRC, and Welwyn brand products to its expansive inventory. The addition of these three lines builds on Digi-Key’s existing relationship with TT electronics through its Optek line.

Jeff Shafer, Digi-Key vice president, interconnect, passive, and electromechanical product, said, “We are excited about the expansion of our agreement with TT electronics. Our company has taken on three trusted divisions under TT electronics to combine with Optek. Digi-Key is now able to provide some of the best in fixed and variable resistors, magnetics and microcircuit modules in addition to optoelectronics.”

Billal Hammoud, Chief Divisional Executive for the Components Division of TT electronics, said, “Digi-Key has an impressive track record of growth and delivering value to its customers. The assets of Digi-Key’s service combined with TT electronics’ application focused product portfolio create a mutual partnership for growth.”

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Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, today announced its stock of Cree’s LMR4 LED light modules is available in Europe and around the world. The LMR4 modules are designed to simplify the creative process, giving lighting manufacturers more options as they develop LED lighting products.

This product has been in stock and available to customers worldwide on Digi-Key’s website since November 2010. Cree’s LMR4 is ready for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites and will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

“We are pleased to extend Digi-Key’s inventory of Cree products to include the LMR4 module family,” said Mark Despotes, Cree vice president of channel distribution. “As a trusted resource for the electronics community, Digi-Key can help accelerate the LED Lighting Revolution by providing fixture makers ready access to the latest LED lighting technology.”

The Cree LED Module LMR4 uniquely integrates driver electronics, optics, and primary thermal management, making the compact module drop-in ready. Designed to last 35,000 hours while consuming just 12 watts of power, it delivers 700 lumens at a variety of color temperatures from 2700K to 4000K. Fixture manufacturers have the option to include a specially designed heat sink to accommodate specific high heat applications such as downlights for insulated ceilings.

The 120-volt LMR4 is UL recognized, and the 230-volt LMR4 complies with multiple international standards. Fixture makers seeking ENERGY STAR® qualification will have access to specifications and performance data, including LM-80 reports, which can speed regulatory approvals.

Effective immediately, Arrow Electronics, Inc. will distribute Carclo Optics lighting products in the EMEA region. Carclo Optics, based in Slough, United Kingdom, is a business division of Carclo Technical Plastics Ltd. (CTP), and supplies a range of lighting products including lenses, reflectors, optics and modules. Carclo develops street lighting systems, among others.

Its partnership with Carclo Optics enables Arrow to expand its range of lighting solutions in the high-power LED and solid-state lighting sectors. In combination with technical consultancy from its EMEA Lighting Team specialists, Arrow is in a position to offer an overall product range for the development and production of a lighting application, from drivers and connectors through power and thermal management solutions through to LEDs.

“Following our numerous successful projects in Northern Europe, we are now expanding our cooperation with Arrow in the EMEA region in order to benefit from the distributor’s broad range of customers and expertise in the lighting segment,” explains David Sumner, LED Optics division manager, CTP. “Arrow has in recent years placed a clear emphasis on lighting, and has built up considerable expertise in lighting solutions of all kinds. This, combined with its global strength, makes Arrow an important partner for us, as CTP is a strongly export-oriented business.”

“With Carclo, we have been able to join forces with a company with a lengthy tradition, which has been developing optical technologies since 1936,” says Paul Drosihn, technology development manager in lighting, Arrow EMEA. “The high degree of specialisation of Carclo’s Optics division, which has its own development, specialised tooling and polish capabilities, opens up new service opportunities for us. We are focusing on the overall lighting applications of our customers, and Carclo is a partner with whom we will be able to optimally fulfil this requirement in the market.”

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Farnell the leading multi-channel distributor announces that it now stocks the latest range of Cree LED modules. Available in TrueWhite® and EasyWhite® technology options, the new Cree LMR4 modules provide a simple drop-in solution that uniquely integrates driver electronics, optics, and primary thermal management.

Cree TrueWhite gives an industry-leading combination of high light quality and colour rendering with high energy efficiency. TrueWhite LMR4 modules consume just 12 watts whilst delivering 700 lumens at a colour temperature of 2700 with a colour rendering index (CRI) >90. Cree EasyWhite modules address a broader range of applications with a CRI >80. Both technologies support dimming to 5% and are designed to last at least 35,000 hours at L70.

Through its multi-channel approach and ability to support design engineers with extensive technical information and resources such as the element14 online technology portal and eCommunity, Farnell will help drive the adoption of LED lighting for both new designs and those that currently use more traditional lighting approaches.

“This announcement significantly strengthens Farnell’s already authoritative position as a source for solid state lighting products, information and support,” said Paul Ward, Opto Product Manager, Farnell. “Cree is a leading name in the LED lighting sector and its LMR4 module product range is another important step forward in accelerating the adoption of versatile, energy efficient and long lasting LED solutions.”

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