• Innovative sensor technology allows for colors to be displayed in a consistently uniform manner for the first time ever

Hamburg, Germany | April 7, 2014– With their new lighting solution HelioJet SpectrumCC (Color Control), SCHOTT and Lufthansa Technik will be introducing an innovative cabin lighting solution that ensures that color is rendered in a stable manner and is known for its cost efficiency. This is made possible by innovative sensor technology that displays colors homogeneously. SCHOTT will be unveiling HelioJet SpectrumCC at the Aircraft Interiors Expo at Booth 6B57 in Hall B6.

Conventional LED systems are unable to render color in a consistently homogeneous manner because they contain a single chain of individual LEDs. Each individual diode in the LED chain ages at a different pace and colors are rendered differently depending on the color shade and the temperature of the LED. This ultimately results in inhomogeneous colors that cannot be controlled in a uniform manner to produce the desired colors even if a light management system is used due to the different LEDs.

With HelioJet SpectrumCC, on the other hand, SCHOTT and Lufthansa Technik have taken a more innovative approach. The new True Color Sensor ensures that each and every LED installed in the system renders colors in a perfectly balanced manner and emits precisely the right color shade. The sensor is about as sensitive as the human eye in order to be able to render the results as realistically as possible. The individual diodes are controlled by managing the light online and comparing it with a predefined target value. In fact, the colors emitted by the lighting solution can even be controlled using the cabin management system “nice” from Lufthansa Technik.

HelioJet SpectrumCC is based on an optical light converter at the ends of which four LEDs each emit red, blue, green, and white light. The HelioJet system consists of up to three subsections that are each illuminated by colored LEDs at the ends, in other words 6 LED clusters in total per product unit. The individual LEDs in RGBW emit points of light in the primary colors that are then mixed into even color shades inside the light converter. It is therefore now possible to produce any desired color shade and maintain it across all of the HelioJet SpectrumCC units at a consistently defined level for an extended period of time.

HelioJet consumes considerably less energy than conventional fluorescent tubes and lasts much longer. This also lowers the operating and maintenance costs. And compared with LED solutions, HelioJet beats out the competition in a competitive comparison of the costs thanks to its average lifespan of at least 50,000 hours of Mean Time Between Failure. Furthermore, maintenance and repair costs are lower because the LEDs can be replaced very easily and cost-effectively when they cease to function. With conventional LED systems, the entire lamps need to be replaced.

“We have received extremely positive feedback from potential customers. This confirms that we are on the right track. We expect the qualification phase for HelioJet SpectrumCC to be completed in the second half of 2014,” explains Dr. Armin Plichta, General Manager Transportation at SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging. SCHOTT and Lufthansa Technik cooperate in the area of cabin lighting concepts for commercial airlines, business jets, and VIP airplanes. The goal is to develop lighting solutions for the best possible mood lighting scenarios in airplanes.

A new dimension in cabin lighting: SCHOTT and Lufthansa Technik deliver homogeneous colors with HelioJet SpectrumCC.

HelioJet SpectrumCC is based on an optical light converter at the ends of which four LEDs each emit red, blue, green, and white light. It is thus now possible to produce any desired color shade and maintain it across all of the HelioJet SpectrumCC units at a consistently defined level for an extended period of time

Elmsford, NY | October 1, 2013– The first joint development of Lufthansa Technik and SCHOTT the LED cabin lighting solution HelioJet can now be experienced in normal airline operations; it has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the European aviation authority EASA for the A320 aircraft family and is currently used for continental flights in an Airbus A319.

HelioJet has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the European aviation authority EASA for the A320 aircraft family, and is currently used for continental flights in an Airbus A319.

HelioJet delivers white light for extremely homogeneous and pleasant cabin lighting in passenger aircraft. Another advantage of the system is a significant reduction in maintenance costs.

“We are delighted that HelioJet has already received an STC for the A320 and is being used on scheduled flights,” says Dr. Armin Plichta, General Manager of Transportation at SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging. “The solution’s expected operational life amounts to at least 50,000 hours. This represents an enormous gain in longevity over customary fluorescent lights, which only last around 1,000 hours.”

Andrew Muirhead, Director of Innovation at Lufthansa Technik AG, explains further: “Since Heliojet is a plug-and-play solution, a conversion from fluorescent lighting can be carried out in just two days which applies to aircraft from the Airbus A320 family and in the future as well to the Boeing 737.”

Light plays an important role in creating a pleasant atmosphere on board an aircraft. With HelioJet, the two companies have achieved their goal of creating an innovative lighting solution that durably offers passengers the comfort they desire. HelioJet requires only one-fifth as many light diodes as other LED lighting. This has a positive effect on reliability, maintenance and costs and makes the solution extremely attractive for any airline. LED lighting also boasts significantly better environmental compatibility than traditional fluorescent lighting with mercury vapors.

The solution’s color version HelioJetTCS (True Color Stabilization), with colored and white LEDs will be launched in 2014. A total of 16 million colors, color sequences and color scenarios ensure that any mood lighting that can be imagined can also be created.

SCHOTT (schott.com) is an international technology group with more than 125 years of experience in the areas of specialty glass and materials and advanced technologies. SCHOTT ranks number one in the world with many of its products. Its core markets are the household appliance, energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, transportation and architecture industries. The company is strongly committed to contributing to its customers’ success and making SCHOTT an important part of people’s lives with high-quality products and intelligent solutions. SCHOTT is committed to managing its business in a sustainable manner and supporting its employees, society and the environment. The SCHOTT Group maintains close proximity to its customers with manufacturing and sales operations in 35 countries. Its workforce of approximately 16,000 employees generated worldwide sales of $2.6 billion (approximately 2.0 billion euros) for the 2011/2012 fiscal year.

The Lufthansa Technik Group, with more than 30 subsidiaries and about 26,000 employees worldwide, is one of the leading manufacturer-independent providers of services for the aviation industry. Lufthansa Technik is licensed internationally as a repair, production and development enterprise. The Group’s portfolio encompasses the entire spectrum of services in the areas of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and conversion, engines and components.

HelioJet delivers white light for extremely homogeneous and pleasant cabin lighting in passenger aircraft.