I want to design an illuminated box that will illuminate signage

[Richard]

Hi. I know that you can buy illuminated boxes. Often used in signage. I
think you can get them backlit or sidelit using LED's or flourescent
lamps or I suppose regular incandecent lamps.

Okay, can anyone here point me to any literature, in books or on the
web, that will teach me the principles as to how to design my own
illuminated box? Of course, the task is to obtain a sufficient and even
brightness across the signage that's placed in front of the box.
Probably I'll need to know how the light from the box transmits through
the front cover of the box (the signage).

I'm thinking of using flat coloured perspex (Plexiglass) or whatever
else is appropriate (Vinyl, glass, acrylic, etc).

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks. Rich.

P.S. Can anyone email me an illuminated box design so I can get a feel
for what's involved?

[email protected]

Need to delete "REMOVETHIS"

 

[D Parker]

the simplest way is a timber box with a perspex front. Just add flouro tubes
to the top and bottom inside. Oh and paint the inside white

DP

 

[David Lee]

Hi. I know that you can buy illuminated boxes. Often used in signage. I
think you can get them backlit or sidelit using LED's or flourescent
lamps or I suppose regular incandecent lamps.

Okay, can anyone here point me to any literature, in books or on the
web, that will teach me the principles as to how to design my own
illuminated box? Of course, the task is to obtain a sufficient and even
brightness across the signage that's placed in front of the box.
Probably I'll need to know how the light from the box transmits through
the front cover of the box (the signage).

I'm thinking of using flat coloured perspex (Plexiglass) or whatever
else is appropriate (Vinyl, glass, acrylic, etc).

One way is to inject the light into the perspex sheet via one of its edges.
The perspex will then confine the light by total internal reflection, as in
a light-pipe. The signage is then etched or abraded into the face of the
perspex and the roughened surface scatters the light, instead of internally
reflecting it, and lights up the letters. Frequently used in EXIT signs.

David