The PhotonX2 is the latest product from Phenom Engineering. We specifically designed this spindle light for the Sieg X2 mini mills. It comes in Harbor Freight Red, Grizzly Green and black. The initial offering will be sold only through eBay for $65 including shipping, and will be limited to 10 units. How these initial units sell will determine the future of this product.
The ring light is designed to fit around the spindle without interference. The ring consists of 21 white LEDs (rated to provide 1,000hrs of use) which are not diffused, to provide the maximum light possible to the work area. The housing is made from plastic and is held to the milling head with three high quality Neodymium magnets. The housing is sealed from the elements, making the assembly coolant resistant. Power for the LEDs is delivered through a spring back cable, allowing the power cable to move with the head without getting in the way. The light can be turned on and off through an inline switch on a UL listed power adapter that provides 12V to the LEDs.
The PhotonX2 provides the just right amount of light to the work area without being so bright that the reflected light is blinding. The light output is equivalent to a bright, sunny day, in the shade. This chart shows where the PhotonX2 ranks among common light levels (Note that the resistance values decrease as the amount of light increases). We used a Light Dependent Resistor and a multimeter to take the values in the table. All readings were taken on the same day and within 30 minutes of each other (with the exception of the 'Dim Room' which was done at night. The PhotonX2 ranks just slightly brighter than a very sunny day in the shade (and remember, this is a very sunny day in the midst of summer in Arizona!).
Unlike other 'mill spindle lights' on the market, which are really nothing more than camera or microscope lights made to 'work' on a mill, we designed the PhotonX2 from the ground up to be used on the X2 milling machine. We designed the housing with our CAD program to verify fit and function, then had it 3D printed. After cleaning the 3D print, we made a mold of the housing and cast the plastic parts. We paint the housings, build the harnesses and even form the spring back coils in the harnesses.
We also performed life cycle testing in house by subjecting the parts to stresses far beyond what they would see in normal use. The robustness of the housings were tested by dropping them from 10 feet onto a concrete surface to ensure they would not crack. The power switches were turned on and off 1,000 times. The soldered connections to the ring were tested by hanging weights from the cable for 2 days then stretched the cable 1,000 times then verified the light still worked. We are very confident in our design and currently warranty the PhotonX2 for 6 months.
We also performed life cycle testing in house by subjecting the parts to stresses far beyond what they would see in normal use. The robustness of the housings were tested by dropping them from 10 feet onto a concrete surface to ensure they would not crack. The power switches were turned on and off 1,000 times. The soldered connections to the ring were tested by hanging weights from the cable for 2 days then stretched the cable 1,000 times then verified the light still worked. We are very confident in our design and currently warranty the PhotonX2 for 6 months.
To purchase the PhotonX2, please click one of the following links:
PhotonX2 - Harbor Freight Red
PhotonX2 - Grizzly Green
PhotonX2 - Black
PhotonX2 - Harbor Freight Red
PhotonX2 - Grizzly Green
PhotonX2 - Black
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