More pizzazz for the Mustang

Nov. 18, 2004
Lighting engineers at Ford Motor Co, are sprucing up the 2005 Mustang with an instrument cluster in the dashboard that can be backlit by any of 125 possible colors.

And drivers get to choose the color. The system relies on three LEDs, each generating a different color — red, green, and blue. Three acrylic light pipes carry light to the sides of the gages, where it mixes to create the final color. LEDs cannot be dimmed like conventional bulbs, so the intensity of each color is controlled by pulse-width modulation, which turns each LED on and off at rates too quick for detection by the human eye. The intensity of each color is determined by the ratio of an LED on and off times. Ford gives users six preset options — green, blue, purple, white, orange, and red. But drivers can personalize the car by adjusting intensity on the three LEDs to produce up to 125 colors.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to Build Better Robotics with Integrated Actuators

July 17, 2024
Reese Abouelnasr, a Mechatronics Engineer with Harmonic Drive, answers a few questions about the latest developments in actuators and the design or engineering challenges these...

Crisis averted: How our AI-powered services helped prevent a factory fire

July 10, 2024
Discover how Schneider Electric's services helped a food and beverage manufacturer avoid a factory fire with AI-powered analytics.

Pumps Push the Boundaries of Low Temperature Technology

June 14, 2024
As an integral part of cryotechnology, KNF pumps facilitate scientific advances in cryostats, allowing them to push temperature boundaries and approach absolute zero.

The entire spectrum of drive technology

June 5, 2024
Read exciting stories about all aspects of maxon drive technology in our magazine.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!