Background: Water Laser Dental Devices

Medical and dental products have (thankfully) come a long way over the years. Today’s patients can enjoy more non-invasive treatments through innovative products that use water laser technology.

As dental devices become smaller and more portable, they must maintain the same level of safety, cleanliness, and performance as their more stationary counterparts, and many require custom design solutions for their illuminated components.

When our client approached us with a long list of requirements for its water laser dental device, we quickly provided a solution that met all client objectives.

Application Requirements

Because water laser technology involves continuous fluid delivery, the illumination design requirements for this machine were extensive:

  • The design called for a custom cable assembly with three LED socket assemblies
  • Each of the socket assemblies would house removable LEDs
  • The LEDs had to be easy to install through the front panel
  • The LEDs had to be isolated to prevent the LED to excess water exposure
  • The device needed to withstand constant exposure to water and cleaning solutions

Our engineers worked closely with the client to develop the ideal solution.

Solution: Build Your Own Indicator LED Assembly

Custom LED Assembly

Using the Build Your Own Indicator option, which allows for customization of design using standard sizes and parts, we configured a solution that customized LEDs, wire size, length, color, and wire termination for the client.

Custom Cable Assembly

The custom cable assembly was a central, specialized component engineered to meet the stringent demands of the water laser dental machine, particularly the need for reliable electrical connectivity in a fluid-intensive environment.

CNX 440 5mm Panel Mount Indicator

CNX 440 LED socket assembly with twisted black-and-white leads and a two-pin connector, shown with a blue panel lens and a blue 5mm LED

Our team specified the CNX 440 Series cable assembly for its quick and easy connections between panel-mounted LEDs and the power source. We then integrated the assembly onto a custom cable with three replaceable LED sockets and added high-output, waterproof lenses.

CMS442 Lens

Blue CMS442 threaded Fresnel lens with a white hex retaining nut and lock washer for a watertight seal

For this application, we paired the blue CMS442 lens was used with the cable assembly. This threaded Fresnel lens includes a watertight seal due to a retaining ring and lock washer. With a NEMA 6P rating, the lens is protected from constant exposure to moisture from water and cleaning solutions.

Lenses are also available in clear and diffused versions, flanged and flangeless styles, multiple viewing angles, and various colors, including green, red, white, and yellow.

Value-Added Services

At VCC, we pride ourselves on having a seat at the table for designing medical technologies that improve the lives and safety of patients worldwide. Our custom cable and three-socket configuration quickly and efficiently provided the client exactly what was needed for its innovative device. Plus, we helped the client maximize efficiency and reduce production costs by using the Build Your Own Indicator option and nearshore manufacturing.

Our Build Your Own Indicator option delivered a custom, cost-effective LED assembly solution with three replaceable and LED socket assemblies.
Caleb Hwang
Design Engineer
Threaded Fresnel panel lenses in amber, teal, and yellow shown with a NEMA 6P rating badge
Water laser dental machine with an articulated delivery arm and a touchscreen control panel
Dental laser control panel with an emergency stop button, a laser warning label, and On/Off, Standby, and Ready indicator buttons
Custom cable assembly with three white LED sockets on black-and-white twisted leads joined at a single multi-pin connector
Build Your Own Indicator LED socket with wire harness and connector, shown with blue, green, and red lenses and a yellow 5mm LED
Drawing of a three-socket cable assembly with twisted leads to one connector, sockets labeled MINOR, MAJOR, and CRIT, with yellow and red LEDs and lenses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is a Custom LED Assembly?

A custom LED assembly combines LEDs, sockets, wiring, and lenses configured to a device’s specific requirements. In this project, VCC used the Build Your Own Indicator option to customize the LEDs, wire size, length, color, and wire termination using standard sizes and parts.

How Are LEDs Protected in a Water Laser Dental Machine?

The LED socket assemblies must be isolated from excess water and tolerate constant contact with water and cleaning solutions. VCC added threaded CMS442 Fresnel lenses that seal with a retaining ring and lock washer and carry a NEMA 6P rating.

Why Use Replaceable LED Sockets in a Dental Device?

In this dental machine, each of the three socket assemblies houses a removable LED that installs through the front panel, which was one of the client’s design requirements.

What Is VCC’s Build Your Own Indicator Option?

It is a VCC option that allows customization of the design using standard sizes and parts. For this client, it delivered a custom, cost-effective LED assembly and, together with nearshore manufacturing, helped reduce production costs.

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