LightManufacturing Systems

New Video, Showing the Solar Plastic Molding Process in Detail

Karl — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:09:05 +0000

We’re very pleased to share a new video – for the first time you can see the Solar Rotational Molding process from start to finish. We start with plastic powder and end with a high-quality solar molded loudspeaker cabinet – and use zero fossil fuels in the process. All energy is supplied by the sun – heat energy is concentrated by our H1 heliostats, and electricity needed to operate motors comes from a photovoltaic panel.

New Video, Showing the Solar Plastic Molding Process in Detail is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

How does the H1 reduce heliostat bird impact injuries?

Karl — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 20:15:20 +0000

A critique of large pv and particularly heliostat-based solar installations is the risk to bird life. Impact with glass or aluminum mirrors is the primary cause of bird injury (a much smaller number of injuries are associated with flight through the target areas of large ‘power-tower’ electric generation systems).

The LightManufacturing H1 heliostat reduces bird impact injury by using a unique tensioned-membrane mirror that flexes with impact (like the head of a drum) rather than remaining flat, hard, and rigid like glass. The result is that bird strikes are much less fatal – the bird generally bounces harmlessly off of the PET reflector rather than breaking a wing or neck.

This same shock-tolerating behavior allows hail and rocks to bounce off of the H1 heliostat reflector while they shatter traditional glass mirror designs.

How does the H1 reduce heliostat bird impact injuries? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Do the heliostats require a computer to operate?

Karl — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:32:22 +0000

No. The H1 heliostat has an internal microprocessor, and no external computer is needed for regular heliostat operation.

A computer IS used for initial setup – eg entering heliostat location (lat/long) time of day, time zone, etc – and for defining the heliostat ‘targets’ – where you want the light and heat from the heliostat to go. After this initial setup, which is done via USB connection or wirelessly (optional), the heliostat operates totally autonomously. All it needs is 12V DC power – which can be provided by our optional P1 or P2 solar power supplies if you’re installing the heliostat somewhere without available local power.

Autonomous heliostat operation is very important if you’re managing multiple units – you don’t want your entire heliostat array taken offline because of a central computer failure, or because of a wiring problem. LightManufacturing H1 heliostats are robust and failure-resistant in part because each one operates autonomously. This is important both for heliostat architectural / green building applications and for heliostat solar thermal manufacturing.

Do the heliostats require a computer to operate? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Can heliostats generate LEED points for my green building project?

Karl — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:56:00 +0000

Yes. In fact, heliostats like the LightManufacturing H1 are one of the simplest ways to add sustainable, low-cost solar heat and light to a new green building project, infill project, or retrofit. Heliostats are low cost, and supply heat and light through existing building windows.

Can heliostats generate LEED points for my green building project? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Link to Us? Sure! Here’s the HTML

Karl — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:22:26 +0000

If you’d like to link to LightManufacturing from your website or blog, here’s an easy code snippet to do it:


Heliostats, Heliostat Arrays, and Solar Thermal Manufacturing from LightManufacturing LLC

We always like to hear about new links to LightManufacturing – contact us and tell us about them!

And we’re @LightMFG on Twitter.

Link to Us? Sure! Here’s the HTML is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

New Videos! Heliostat movement movies.

Karl — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:52:32 +0000

We’ve posted two new videos showing the H1 heliostat.

See the videos on the video page (click here).
First video shows 15 H1 heliostats moving from ‘safe’ position to a target, moving to another target, then back, and so on – demonstrating repeatable positioning and the advantages of wireless remote control.

The second new video shows startup / limit-switch finding routines from the front and back of a pair of H1 heliostats, giving a great illustration of the mechanicals of the H1.

New Videos! Heliostat movement movies. is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Can heliostats enhance flat plate thermal collectors?

Karl — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:58:12 +0000

Yes – if you have a flat plate thermal collector (for example, for making hot water or hot air) the LightManufacturing H1 heliostats can help. Fixed position flat plate collectors typically do not work well in the morning or later afternoon, because they are installed in a ‘best average’ position to maximize mid-day solar absorption. This means less hot water or hot air at non-peak times.

Solution: Use h1 heliostats to direct solar energy to your flat plate collector at off-peak times.

Can heliostats enhance flat plate thermal collectors? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Heliostats for Sale!

Karl — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:03:21 +0000

LightManufacturing is pleased to offer the commercial-grade H1 heliostat for sale to the general public and industrial clients. Applications for the H1 include heating and lighting - the H1 heliostat delivers over 2000 watts of energy to a target in heating applications, and over 230,000 lumens for lighting.

Heliostats

…have traditionally been a hobbyist product on the smaller scale, or proprietary product used in large utility-scale ‘power-tower’ installations. No commercial off the shelf (COTS) heliostats have been available in the US market, and only limited choices available in Europe. LightManufacturing’s H1 heliostat solves this availability problem, providing an easy to setup, easy to use, powerful commercial grade heliostat with advanced features.

Unlike glass-mirror heliostats which are expensive to transport due to their delicate reflector, LightManufacturing’s H1 uses a tensioned-membrane mirror that is shatterproof and tough, and provides better reflective properties. Available wireless systems let a user target one, or many H1 heliostats from a nearby computer, without connecting USB cables to each heliostat for configuration.

Production of the H1 heliostat is US based, ensuring quick production and delivery times to the North American market. LightManufacturing developed the H1 for solar thermal applications like Solar Rotational Molding (SRM™), but recognized the public’s need for a high-performance general-purpose heliostat and released the heliostat for purchase in non SRM uses.

Heliostats for Sale! is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Are your heliostats for Sale? What’s the availability?

Karl — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 20:27:59 +0000

Yes, the H1 Heliostat is available for sale at our heliostat order page ( click here ). The H1 heliostat is available for sale to the general public in several configurations, and we also offer sales programs for commercial customers with volume purchasing needs.

Are your heliostats for Sale? What’s the availability? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

H1 Heliostat in Buildings.com “Greener Facilities” issue..

Karl — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:58:13 +0000

H1 heliostat ( http://www.lightmanufacturingsystems.com/heliostats ) mentioned in Buildings.com Greener Facilities issue, along with LEED and other topics: http://www.buildings.com/News/IndustryNews/NewsletterDetails/tabid/3399/ArticleID/14848/Default.aspx

H1 Heliostat in Buildings.com “Greener Facilities” issue.. is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Do you make solar furnace / solar oven systems?

Karl — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:39:42 +0000

LightManufacturing H1 Heliostats are ideal for solar furnace, solar oven, and similar applications. Each H1 heliostat captures up to 2000 watts of solar heat, and directs it to a cooker, water heater, roasting enclosure, or other solar oven/furnace design. Multiple H1 heliostats can target the same enclosure to deliver very large amounts of heat.

Depending on your application, LightManufacturing can supply ISO shipping container based sun furnace target enclosures, or you may construct your own target from locally available materials.

Similar terms: sun furnace, solar furnace, solar oven, sun oven.

Do you make solar furnace / solar oven systems? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Can I heat and light a home or office with heliostats?

Karl — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 22:58:53 +0000

Yes. Heliostats are a low cost way to capture light and heat and direct it into a building through windows. In many buildings, some rooms never get direct sunlight at all – they face the wrong way. Heliostats placed outside these cold /dark rooms can direct warmth and light into the rooms, transforming them into enjoyable, comfortable spaces. Each H1 Heliostat can deliver over 2000 watts to a room, or over 230,000 lumens of light.

Multiple H1s can be combined to warm a single room faster, or you can use several H1 heliostats to warm different spaces simultaneously.

Applications include schools, office buildings, homes, industrial workspaces, farm buildings, and many other architectural uses.

Can I heat and light a home or office with heliostats? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Do you sell to the public, or to industry only?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:52:15 +0000

LightManufacturing sells our heliostat products directly to the public. Click the Order tab above for pricing and details. We also offer direct purchasing to industrial clients and partners. Contact us for more information. Do you sell to the public, or to industry only? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing [...]

Do you sell to the public, or to industry only? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

I read about a less expensive heliostat. Is H1 a better investment?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:24:26 +0000

The LightManufacturing H1 heliostat is a powerful commercial-grade heliostat, with a number of advantages over ‘home heliostat’ systems.

The H1 heliostat uses safe, tensioned-membrane mirrors which are shatterproof and tough, not glass like other heliostats. The H1 mirrors shrug off impact.
The H1 heliostat uses only aircraft-grade aluminum structural elements for maximum durability, not plastic like other heliostats.
The H1 heliostat can be aimed exactly by USB or optional wireless connection, unlike other heliostats which require you to hand-aim the mirrors at a target.
The H1 heliosatat can change target easily between multiple targets you define, unlike other heliostats.
The H1 heliostat is MUCH larger and captures more light and heat than small ‘home heliostats’. A H1 with 5′ square mirror has a mirror area of 2.3 square meters, as compared to consumer heliostats with mirrors only 0.5 square meters.
The H1 costs less per watt/lumen than any other heliostat on the market. Purchase price of the H1 may be higher, but when you calculate the cost / square meter of mirror you’ll quickly see the advantage of the H1.
You can combine multiple H1 heliostats to deliver unlimited heat/light to targets you define, and you can switch all of your H1s from target to target with a single command.

I read about a less expensive heliostat. Is H1 a better investment? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

What Polymers can the Solar Manufacturing Process Use?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:08:21 +0000

Any rotational molding resign can be molded using SRM, including polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, and other polymers. The SRM process uses CSP / Concentrated Solar Power to achieve any desired molding temperature, and often with cycle times less than ordinary rotomolding. Contact us to learn how we can help convert your traditional operation to a low-cost, sustainable manufacturing operation.

What Polymers can the Solar Manufacturing Process Use? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Isn’t all plastic molding environmentally ‘bad’?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:07:52 +0000

Rotational molding, and Solar Rotational Molding (SRM) can use a variety of plastics – including virgin (new) material, and recycled material. New plastic made from fossil fuel sources has environmental issues, but the longevity and reliability of rotationally molded plastic parts can make them compelling ‘green’ choices over the life of the product – particularly if some recycled content is used.

Thermoplastic objects are highly recyclable, a significant benefit in end-of-life reuse. Solar Rotational Molding is an excellent way to close the loop and reuse post industrial and post consumer plastic for new products. Finally, new plant-based plastics offer a source for high performance, rotationally-molded materials.

By removing energy costs from the molding process, SRM makes molding ANY plastic more sustainable and affordable, while reducing greenhouse gas and particulate emissions. SRM applies Concentrated Solar Power / CSP to a globally-deployed industrial ”smokestack process”, and converts it into a sustainable manufacturing process – a cleantech ‘good citizen’.

Isn’t all plastic molding environmentally ‘bad’? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Aren’t most plastic things made in big factories in China?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:06:05 +0000

Most people think of injection molding when they think of plastic manufacturing – this process is very capital intensive, and produces high volumes of relatively small, thin-walled objects – i.e. plastic cutlery, small toys, flashlight bodies, etc.

Rotational molding is best at making relatively large objects – from something 6″ across to very large objects such as 8′ diameter water tanks or 10′ long boats, with walls up to 1″ thick. These large, heavy objects do not pack efficiently, and shipping them is essentially to ‘ship air’. As a result, Rotational Molding is distributed across all markets – European Rotomolders making parts for Europe and for export, Asian rotomolders making parts for Asia and for export, etc. The distributed nature of rotational molding allows LightManufacturing’s SRM process to be deployed as needed in solar-rich regions.

Aren’t most plastic things made in big factories in China? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

How much mirror area / heat is needed to mold typical plastics?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:05:20 +0000

Because Solar Rotational Molding uses concentrated solar thermal energy, not solar electricity, it converts a very high percentage of available solar energy to useful heat. SRM achieves 75% typical efficiency, vs solar electric’s 15-20% efficiency. This efficiency, combined with LightManufacturing’s heat management, positioning, and process control software allow mirror arrays as small as 224 ft2 to generate sufficient heat to mold objects roughly 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft.

A key difference between SRM and traditional rotational molding is that SRM heats the mold target by radiative heating (efficient, directly heats the metal) vs convective heating (gas burner heats air, which inefficiently heats the metal).

224 ft2 of focused mirrors yield approximately 17,000 watts of directed heat energy.

How much mirror area / heat is needed to mold typical plastics? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Does the SRM process use ANY electricity?

Karl — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:02:17 +0000

Yes – electricity is used to position the heliostats, and electricity is used to drive the two motors in each molding armature. For small to midsized molds, these motors are 1/2 horsepower and require a total of @ 745 watts peak power. Our Solar Rotational Molding systems include photovoltaic panels, batteries, and charge controllers – you can install an SRM system anywhere. No grid-tie electricity is needed.

Does the SRM process use ANY electricity? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

How Large are SRM (Solar Rotational Molding) Systems?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:59:53 +0000

Solar Rotational Molding Systems install into areas as small as 60′ x 60′ (3600 ft2). However, most of this area is unmodified; it can be left as unimproved land, or even planted with low-height crops. Here is how the land is used:

Heliostat array footprint @ 60′ x 10′ (600 ft2)
Target enclosure footprint @ 20 ‘x 8′ (160 ft2)
Raw materials, tools, and finished part storage (typical) 300 ft2

Total: 1060 ft2 So, just 30% of the 3600 ft2 total area is occupied by objects. The balance of the land remains unchanged. Compared with the concrete-slab required to support a traditional rotational molding operation, SRM offers a far less impactful solution.

Large SRM systems scale as big as needed – 12 systems pack into a single acre of land.

How Large are SRM (Solar Rotational Molding) Systems? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Are there other advantages?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:56:09 +0000

Solar Thermal Molding does not require a concrete-floored building, or connection to the electrical grid, or natural gas hookup. The H1 heliostat arrays can be installed in simple, unimproved terrain. This further reduces capital requirements to install a Solar Thermal Molding system vs a traditional rotational molding.

Are there other advantages? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Is the process economically competitive? Doesn’t Solar need subsidies?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:54:24 +0000

Yes. Unlike inefficient solar electric systems, our solar thermal systems capture and use over 75% of incident solar heat. Also, the purchase cost of our heliostats and molding systems is much less than the equipment needed for traditional gas-fired plastic molding.

The result? Lower buy-in costs AND lower operating costs. Solar thermal plastic molding out-competes traditional processes without subsidies – a rarity in the cleantech world.

The cost of Because we use the heat immediately to heat our molds,

Solar thermal technology / CSP is much less expensive than solar electric technology, so the buy-in costs for a Solar Thermal Molding system are much less than traditional rotomolding systems. Furthermore, the group of heliostats used in a solar thermal molding system can be quickly and easily retargeted from one place to another. This ‘aimability’ allows us to simplify the design and reduce the cost of typical rotational molding (and vacuum forming) systems.

Is the process economically competitive? Doesn’t Solar need subsidies? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

How does LightManufacturing help?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:44:04 +0000

LightManufacturing’s patents-pendng process uses sun-tracking mirrors called heliostats, to concentrate solar energy on a rotational mold. We have developed a uniquely capable heliostat, called the H1. Heat from the sun directly warms the mold, melting the plastic. Because the process uses heat directly in the molding process, the system is highly efficient: 75% efficient as compared to typical photovoltaic efficiency of 15% or less. There’s no need to convert light into electricity, nor does energy have to be transported via expensive transmission lines to market.

How does LightManufacturing help? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

What’s the problem with Rotational Molding?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:41:52 +0000

Rotational molding is a globally-used technique for making large plastic objects. Over 3.6 billion pounds of plastic are rotationally molded each year. Unfortunately, the process is energy intensive and uses non-renewable energy sources like natural gas and kerosene. Over 18.4 trillion BTU of fossil fuel is consumed by the rotational molding process, generating over 2.15 billion pounds of greenhouse gasses annually.

What’s the problem with Rotational Molding? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

How much energy does the H1 heliostat capture?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:36:11 +0000

There are two sizes of mirror available for the H1. One can be shipped fully assembled via ground service, and the other larger one has be shipped broken down for customer assembly.

The 60″ square mirror reflects over 2000 watts onto a target in optimal conditions, or over 230,000 lumens if used for lighting applications. This is the most energy/light captured by a commercially available heliostat.
The 52″ square mirror reflects over 1500 watts onto a target, or 175,200 lumens.

In contrast to the H1, some smaller / consumer-oriented heliostats offer a mirror only .5 square meters in area, reflecting @ 425 watts of energy. It would take 4 or 5 of these small units to equal one H1 heliostat.

How much energy does the H1 heliostat capture? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

What are the H1′s advanced features?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:29:48 +0000

The H1 heliostat employs a unique patents pending tensioned-membrane reflector which is more reflective than the best glass mirrors, but is safe, shatterproof and much lower cost. The H1 incorporates advanced features including available wireless mesh networking remote control and configuration, integral microprocessors, and available on-board solar power systems. What are the H1′s advanced features? [...]

What are the H1′s advanced features? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

What makes the H1 Heliostat special?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:26:48 +0000

The LightManufacturing H1 heliostat is an industrial-grade heliostat that combines robust performance with easy setup and operation – and at the lowest price per reflected watt of any heliostat on the market. Simply put, it costs less to heat a target with the H1 that with any other solution.

What makes the H1 Heliostat special? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

What can I do with a Heliostat?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:13:49 +0000

Heliostats are the most efficient and low-cost way to harness solar energy. Heliostats can:

heat homes, offices, and other buildings – one H1 heliostat can deliver over 2000 watts of heat, with no energy bill.
provide sunlight to shaded spaces – ‘daylighting’. Rooms in some buildings always face away from the sun. One H1 heliostat delivers over 230,000 lumens of beautiful natural light, free
replace fossil fuel heat in industrial processes – for example, in our solar rotational molding systems, LightManufacturing replaces expensive, polluting gas-fired ovens with an array of silent, clean heliostats. Ask us how free solar thermal energy can transform your industry.
make steam / ‘process heat’ for industrial applications
enhance oil extraction
reduce the moisture content of crops – eg drying nuts prior to roasting, drying seafood
industrial-scale cooking
sterilize medical equipment
melt snow and ice
generate electricity in ‘power-tower’ applications
build solar furnaces / solar ovens

…and much more.

What can I do with a Heliostat? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

What’s a Heliostat?

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:11:38 +0000

A heliostat is an apparatus containing a movable or driven mirror, used to reflect sunlight in a fixed direction. As the sun moves across the sky, a heliostat makes small adjustments to the position of a mirror in order to keep reflected light on a target. The larger the mirror mounted on the heliostat, the more energy and light is delivered to the target.

What’s a Heliostat? is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

LightManufacturing presenting at ARM Minneapolis

Karl — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:39:15 +0000

LightManufacturing’s Karl von Kries will present the firm’s Solar Rotational Molding systems to the Association of Rotational Molders at the ARM national conference in Minneapolis on Monday, November 12, 2012.

More information is available at

https://www.armmeetings.org/

From the schedule:

“Solar Rotational Molding Systems
Karl von Kries, Light Manufacturing
Learn about LightManufacturing’s Solar Rotational Molding systems, which reduce molding costs by eliminating the need for natural gas or other hydrocarbon fuel. Karl von Kries will walk you through the process, show exclusive photos and video, and answer your questions about this sustainable and low-cost molding technology.

Karl von Kries is the CEO of LightManufacturing and Technomad, and was formerly the head of New Product Development at Hardigg Industries in Massachusetts. “

LightManufacturing presenting at ARM Minneapolis is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

AZoBuild: LightManufacturing Ships H1 for Architectural Lighting…

Karl — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:12:06 +0000

From http://www.azobuild.com/news.asp?newsID=15784 , “LightManufacturing announced that it has commenced shipping its H1 heliostats for LEED building applications. The first shipment was for an architectural lighting project in Michigan…” AZoBuild: LightManufacturing Ships H1 for Architectural Lighting… is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

AZoBuild: LightManufacturing Ships H1 for Architectural Lighting… is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

SolarNovus: LightManufacturing Develops Industrial Heliostats

Karl — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 01:37:49 +0000

From the article: “…LightManufacturing today announced its H1 heliostat, which delivers more than 2000 watts of heat and light energy to a target…”

Read the article: http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5539:lightmanufacturing-develops-industrial-heliostats&catid=54:new-products&Itemid=427

SolarNovus: LightManufacturing Develops Industrial Heliostats is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Cleantechnica Feature on LightManufacturing

Karl — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 01:34:48 +0000

Mirror, Mirror, Make Me a Kayakâ€¦out of Sunlight

”A California company called LightManufacturing has figured out a way to fire up a plastic molding process with a concentrated solar power system…”

Read the article @ http://cleantechnica.com/2012/07/31/lightmanufacturing-system-uses-concentrated-solar-power-for-plastic-molding-process/

Cleantechnica Feature on LightManufacturing is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

LightManufacturing in Plastics News

Karl — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:53:05 +0000

See new article in Plastics News:

http://www.plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=25405

From the article: â€œWe use solar energy in its raw state and capture it,â€ Von Kries explained. The technology circumvents traditional solar strategies of converting the sunâ€™s rays to electricity, which then must be transmitted some distance for use. And unlike conventional sun-to-electricity programs LightManufacturingâ€™s approach does not rely on subsidies.

LightManufacturing in Plastics News is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

LightManufacturing Introduces Groundbreaking Solar Thermal Manufacturing System

Karl — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:54:43 +0000

New approach avoids pitfalls that plague solar electric

PISMO BEACH, Calif., May 7, 2012 — When most people hear the words “solar energy,” they think of expensive power towers or under-performing photovoltaic panels. California-based LightManufacturing LLC offers manufacturers a new way to use solar energy to mold plastic products sustainably and cheaply. http://www.lightmanufacturingllc.com

Each year manufacturers “rotomold” more than 3.6 billion pounds of plastic into large consumer and industrial products such as water tanks, road barriers, boats, and toys. Traditional rotomolding requires massive, expensive machinery, and large natural gas heated ovens. The process emits more than two billion pounds of greenhouse pollution annually. Energy to fire the ovens contributes up to 30% of the total cost to make rotomolded products.

In contrast, LightManufacturing’s solar rotomolding (SRMâ„¢) systems use the sun’s heat to make the same products at significantly reduced costs — and with zero carbon emissions. In the patent-pending new approach, specially designed heliostats (sun-tracking mirrors) aim sunlight at low-cost molding armatures. Small SRM factories can be placed close to customers, creating additional savings by reducing transport costs. SRM systems operate entirely “off-grid,” requiring no outside electricity or fuel.

LightManufacturing CEO Karl von Kries came up with the idea for solar thermal rotational molding while working with a traditional rotomolding factory in New England.

“I was out in the plant with these machines,” von Kries said, “and it struck me as an inherently wasteful process. I thought, ‘Why couldn’t we do this with solar heat?’”

After years of research and development, von Kries founded the company in 2009 to make solar thermal rotational molding a reality. Today, LightManufacturing has a working test facility in California that makes plastic parts for customers.

The company also developed a new type of low-cost heliostat, which replaces expensive glass mirrors with thin reflective plastic stretched flat like the head of a drum. The firm anticipates shipping ready-to-use solar rotational molding systems and heliostats to customers by August 2012.

“I can’t think of another process like it. When’s the last time you heard of a solar solution that’s cheap to buy and operate, solves environmental problems, doesn’t depend on subsidies, and makes the market more competitive?” von Kries said.

For those worried plastic products can’t be “green,” LightManufacturing notes that its systems mold recycled plastic and sustainable bio-plastics just as well as oil-based plastics.

The firm sees rotational molding as just the beginning. LightManufacturing plans to bring solar thermal-powered technology to other industrial manufacturing processes, such as injection molding, blow molding, agricultural applications, and more.

“We’re in the very early days of applying solar thermal energy to industry — and the potential is huge,” von Kries said.

For more information about LightManufacturing and solar thermal rotational molding, visit http://www.lightmanufacturingllc.com/video/.

Photo 1: Solar molding in action
http://lightmanufacturingsystems.com/wp-content/gallery/hq-images/target_molding-copy.jpg

Photo 2: LightManufacturing heliostats in grassy field
http://lightmanufacturingsystems.com/wp-content/gallery/hq-images/grass_and_heliostat_array.jpg

Media Contact:

Amy Blasco
(805) 242-6503
amy@lightmanufacturingllc.com

# # #

LightManufacturing Introduces Groundbreaking Solar Thermal Manufacturing System is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Feature article about LightManufacturing in GLP

Karl — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:07:17 +0000

Check out this recent (excellent) article about LightManufacturing in Green Living Network –

http://greenlivingpress.com/2012/04/30/light-manufacturing-melting-away-the-stereotypes/

…really captures the benefits of heliostat solar thermal manufacturing. Thanks, GLP!

Feature article about LightManufacturing in GLP is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Other News / Partner Links

Karl — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:35:32 +0000

Posharp.com – A Comprehensive Database of Solar Product Models and Suppliers

Solar Energy Directory

Discover Solar Energy, a helpful portal to relevant renewable energy websites of individuals, governments and organizations. The links are cross-referenced to help homeowners, engineers, hobbyists, teachers and students find quick answers to issues relating to alternative energy.

Other News / Partner Links is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Recent Press Mentions…

Karl — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:30:27 +0000

MarketWatch
LightManufacturing Launches First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lightmanufacturing-launches-first-solar-thermal-energy-solution-for-plastics-molding-2011-10-03

REVE
First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding

http://www.evwind.es/noticias.php?id_not=13872

Business Wire
LightManufacturing Launches First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111003005034/en/LightManufacturing-Launches-Solar-Thermal-Energy-Solution-Plastics

Plastopedia
First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding Launched by LightManufacturing

http://www.plastopedia.in/plastic-news/processing-technology/9577-first-solar-thermal-energy-solution-for-plastics-molding-launched-by-lightmanufacturing-.html

PR Log
LightManufacturing Launches First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding

http://www.prlog.org/11682139-lightmanufacturing-launches-first-solar-thermal-energy-solution-for-plastics-molding.html

Sun & Wind Energy
LightManufacturing Launches First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding

http://www.sunwindenergy.com/swe/content/press-releases/artikel.html?id=1106&rubrik=cs

Plastics Today
Solar-Powered Solution Developed for Heating Rotational Molds

http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/solar-powered-solution-developed-heating-rotational-molds

Solar Thermal Magazine
First Solar Thermal Energy Solution for Plastics Molding Manufacturing

http://www.solarthermalmagazine.com/2011/10/08/first-solar-thermal-energy-solution-for-plastics-molding-manufacturing/

Alternative Energy Africa
Solar Thermal Technology for Molding Plastic

http://ae-africa.com/read_article.php?NID=3326

Green Energy News
Manufacturing with Solar Energy

http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2011/20110075.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Recent Press Mentions… is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Solar Manufacturing

Karl — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 04:50:56 +0000

LightManufacturing introduces a revolution in sustainable manufacturing. We offer:

Unique low-cost heliostats for industrial and architectural applications

Turn-key heliostat based manufacturing systems for molding plastic and other uses.

Solar Manufacturing is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Heliostats and Heliostat Arrays

Karl — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 08:55:30 +0000

Our H1 heliostat is the lowest cost per reflected watt heliostat available, with advanced membrane mirrors & wireless networking.

Ideal for individual use, or combine multiple H1 to create powerful heat and light beams – available wireless control. Harness the sun’s energy today – Order now

Heliostats and Heliostat Arrays is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems

Solar Solutions, Now Shipping

Karl — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:01:30 +0000

LightManufacturing’s SRM process makes sustainable plastic molding a profitable reality.

For general purpose heat and light, LightManufacturing heliostat systems deliver low cost, zero-emission solar thermal energy to industry and individuals. Easy setup and configuration – Order now.

Solar Solutions, Now Shipping is a post from: LightManufacturing Systems – Heliostats and Sustainable Solar Manufacturing Systems