There are several ways to integrate lighting elements into a plastic housing in both a functional and visually effective way. Options include light guides, LED-based optoelectronic components, illuminated lines and backlit surfaces. The most suitable solution depends on whether the lighting is intended to serve a purely functional purpose, enhance the user experience, or add an emotional and design-oriented dimension.
Light guides made of transparent plastic allow light from an LED mounted on the circuit board to be directed precisely and with minimal loss to specific areas of the housing surface. This makes them ideal for status indicators that visualise operating states and other functional signals. Because light can be guided flexibly—even “around corners”—LEDs do not need to be positioned directly behind openings in the housing, which significantly simplifies PCB layout.
In addition, certain light guides are designed to distribute light along their entire length. This enables uniform light emission over larger areas and is particularly useful when homogeneous, glare-free illumination is required. Alternatively, translucent housing components or specially designed surface sections can be backlit using energy-efficient LED technology. This approach opens up a wide range of possibilities in terms of design, colour and visual effects.
Radiating lines and backlit surfaces are frequently used as design elements to create visual highlights, enhance perceived quality, and add distinctive accents. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, lighting also supports functionality—for example, through targeted colour coding, improved orientation in low-light environments, or safe operation at night. Successfully integrating these elements requires careful planning, particularly with regard to material selection, surface finish and the choice of light source.
Our standard enclosures are supplied without pre-machined openings or cut-outs to maintain maximum flexibility across a wide range of applications. The same applies to accent lighting and the integration of light guides, as these vary significantly depending on specific requirements and device specifications. When needed, we can quickly create precise cut-outs using CNC machining and customise individual components accordingly. By combining these modifications with standard parts, you can achieve a cost-effective, tailor-made lighting solution.
To support your creative process for upcoming projects, we’ve included the following case studies showcasing lighting options for standard enclosures.
For smaller production volumes, 3D printing offers extensive possibilities for manufacturing translucent housing components, such as intermediate rings, which can be precisely designed to fit between the upper and lower sections of a housing series. In doing so, careful consideration must be given to the light source and the uniform distribution of light. For larger production runs, tool-specific recesses or fully customised housing components often represent a more efficient and scalable solution.
Case study: an illuminated handle
At the customer’s request, we designed and manufactured a customised 3D-printed component to replace the standard TPE handle. The goal was to illuminate the upper handle to ensure clear orientation of the medical device, even in low-light conditions, despite the limited space available inside the handle. As a trial solution, we integrated an LED strip that is securely fitted into the 3D-printed part. As shown in the images, the lighting effect is highly effective and provides a solid basis for further development of the final product.
Translucent grip parts for the CARRYTEC housing series.
Case study for an illuminated spacer ring
Greater installation height was required while also creating a distinctive lighting accent—these were the key specifications for designing a translucent, 3D-printed intermediate ring for the EVOTEC housing series. A crucial requirement was achieving uniform light distribution around the entire enclosure. The choice of light source, as well as its control and power supply, ultimately depends on the customer’s specific development setup. However, this example clearly demonstrates how targeted lighting effects can be realised by incorporating additional components alongside standard top and bottom housing elements.
The EVOTEC desktop enclosure with a red-illuminated intermediate ring.
The accompanying images showcase additional housing series featuring backlit mounting rings. They are intended to inspire ideas on how to incorporate lighting into your own development projects. We would be happy to support you in bringing these concepts to life!
Here are a few examples of enclosures with illuminated intermediate rings, for illustrative purposes